Escape to Coastal Paradise - Paroa Bay

Sea views, lush native palms, birdsong, sunshine, and blue skies make for an idyllic get-away in the lap of luxury.

And by lap, I mean infinity lap-pool luxury. With magazine printing deadlines being what they are, the shoot for this beautiful spread was completed in early November 2022, which at that time equated to peak-monsoon season. As food editor Claire, photographer Josh and I pulled up at the spectacular Paroa Bay Winery and Estate, part of the renowned Lindis Group, the rain clouds momentarily parted, and we were able to capture the stunning Tarapunga villa in all its glory.

Situated in (90% of the time) sunny northland, Tarapunga is the premier villa on the property, with sweeping views of Paroa Bay and the Bay of Islands, and was designed to echo the flying wings of the local seabirds after which it is named. Shortly after arrival Claire and I set about unpacking our ingredients and quickly realised that with such a well-equipped, vast kitchen we wouldn’t be lacking in any cooking tools. With a separate butler’s pantry, two dishwashers and a seemingly endless supply of crockery, cutlery, and glassware the villa is perfectly stocked for entertaining, whether intimately or at scale. The entire property is equally well thought out, and it would be easy to imagine arriving by boat, ascending the hill, and immediately settling into the luxurious surrounds without further care in the world. With three spacious bedrooms and bathrooms, and Weka, another stunning two-bedroom villa just 20m away, this would make a magical location for up to 10 guests to kick back, or party, depending on the mood.

If activities are on the agenda, there are a plethora to choose from. With tennis and badminton courts, sauna, spa, pétanque area, golf putting and driving areas and private boat charters available the options are extensive. Should guests arrive by yacht themselves, there is also deep water boat mooring in the bay. There are so many enticing  temptations for the active, yet it’s hard to imagine wanting more than a leisurely dip in the 17m heated infinity pool followed by a late afternoon glass of wine, as the air cools – gathered around the outdoor fireplace. Cue music, laughter, great food and new memories.

The interior of Tarapunga is sleek, stylish, pale and modern, providing the perfect stage for any gathering, large or small. When planning our menu for the visit we aimed to reflect the rhythm of time spent away with friends and family. Lazy mornings call for a substantial brunch like the Mixed Vegetable Rösti (page 51) served with a soft-yolked fried egg and roasted tomatoes, or perhaps, Green Olive , Corn and Feta Muffins (page 51) with a pot of coffee on the side. Kicking back with a beer in the afternoon? Our Lots-of-Veg Three-Cheese-Not-Sausage-Rolls (page 60) are mighty flavour-bombs, as are the Chipotle Chicken Tostadas with Pineapple and Chilli Salsa – both perfect to enjoy poolside. If you’re setting the table, the Pan-fried Fish with Toum and Current Dressing (page 60) is outrageously good while The Summer Burger (page 51) will satisfy the hungriest holiday maker.

But if you’re looking for a break from the kitchen, you can’t go past a meal at the estate’s own restaurant – Sage. With anticipation we took our seats at the stylish table over-looking the bay, to peruse the carefully curated menu. We were enchanted by the inclusion of a list of local producers and suppliers on whom the restaurant relies for many of their ingredients – from ‘Deliah’s Reka reka honey from Rawhiti, to smoked and whole fish from Apatu Aqua in Mangonui the suppliers range from just down the road to further afield. The buzz of international accents around us grew, with comments of appreciation growing more effusive as the dishes arrived. To read more about our meal see page 14, suffice to say, that accompanied by a bottle of Paroa Bay Syrah 2020, dinner was relished with enthusiasm by our small team, before heading back to our plush, private bedrooms at the villa.

We are so very lucky in Aotearoa New Zealand, to be surrounded by so much natural beauty. Tarapunga at Paroa Bay Winery and Estate makes the most of that environment, lending an international air of relaxed sophistication that would make a memorable holiday to celebrate a special occasion – or to make any occasion special.