Yesterday I shared a delightful Saturday afternoon with 8 girlfriends enjoying 'High Tea' at Kaituna Valley Homestead. It was organized to celebrate a friend's mother's 89th birthday. The surroundings are beautiful, a taste of a bygone era. Picture fine English bone china, embroidered linen napkins, pots of tea and some of the most delicious and beautifully presented 'High Tea' morsels... More

I surprised my wife with a secret location for our Valentine's Day weekend away. Arriving at Kaituna, off the road to Akaroa, we were both enchanted with this well restored historic country home. We loved the location, setting and ambience of this majestic homestead tucked away in the cute Kaituna valley. Our gracious host Penelope treated us as VIP guests,... More

My Mother gifted my husband and I two wonderful nights away at Kaituna Homestead. It was a very special treat and one that was a perfect fit for us. The minute we drove up the driveway on a warm summers evening we felt that we had arrived to a little piece of England amongst the beautiful countryside of the Kaituna... More

Kaituna Homestead was by far the best place that I stayed at on my recent trip to New Zealand and might be one of the best places I have stayed anywhere. Both Alastair and Penalope look me in as if I was one of their own and showed me such hospitality that when I make a return trip to this... More

My husband's Christmas Gift for 2012 was a Secret, not revealed until I drove him through the gates of the Kaituna Homestead. How grand did the Homestead look as we drove past the trees and into the clearing, my first thoughts were WOW as I had only viewed the Homestead on the internet via a small advert in a local... More

The day of my wedding I spent the afternoon with friends and family getting ready and enjoying high tea in the Rhodes Suite. The light meal was delicious and the perfect amount for a pre-wedding lunch. The bedroom was huge with rustic elegant furnishings, beautiful modern country bathroom, and absolutely amazing wrap around sunroom. My husband and I spent the... More

A scrumptious high tea, a stroll through the gardens on a summer evening followed by a beautifully cooked three course meal of local produce, the excellent company of our host, a very well apointed room and full english breakfast the next morning. What a wonderful way to spend a special weekend. Penelope really knows how to make her guests feel... More

We were welcomed at our car and made to feel at home from that first moment. In fact it was as though we had known our hosts for ages, as we felt so comfortable in their company and had many lengthy chats and loads of laughter . . . just like we were visiting friends. Our days tended to start... More

We stayed unfortunately only one night but where sad to leave. The property is amazing and the welcome is fantastic. Penelope is a great host and a good cook. Pampering the guests on high level. Malinee loved feeding the lambs. Thank you for your hospitality.The small drive from christchurch is more then worth