Te Kārearea
Te Kārearea Apartment is a cosy, self-contained two-bedroom apartment attached to Te Kōawa Lodge.
It is a beautiful and welcoming space located at Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu in the Jericho Valley, 45km southeast of Te Anau. Nestled at the foot of the Takitimu maunga, the lodge is surrounded by stunning mountain views, native bush, wetlands, and flowing waterways — including Jericho Stream and nearby Redcliff Creek.
This apartment is ideal for smaller rōpū or whānau wanting to visit Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu. The apartment includes a full kitchen, bathroom, sunny lounge area, and two bedrooms – one with a Queen-sized bed, and one with two singles. A heat pump keeps it warm year-round.
Named after the kārearea, the native bush falcon often seen in this area, the apartment offers a peaceful retreat and base from which to explore the area.
Te Kārearea Apartment
Kārearea is the name of Aotearoa’s native bush falcon – a taonga manu known for its sharp eyesight, agility, and fierce guardianship. Kārearea are often seen soaring over high country and ngahere, including in this rohe. Naming our self-contained apartment Te Kārearea honours this manu as a kaitiaki of the whenua and those who visit.
The lodge and apartment complex sits on a 445-hectare site, with walking and biking tracks and access into the Takitimu Conservation Estate. It’s a fabulous place to bird watch, botanise or explore. Or why not do some raranga (weaving) or learn more about Te Ao Māori while you are here? It’s also a fabulous place for stargazing, with dark skies and plenty of space.
Nearby, there are excellent opportunities for biking, walking, hunting, and fishing, with easy access to Borland Road, Lake Monowai, the Waiau awa, Rātāku Wetlands, and Lake Manapōuri.
A Unique Cultural Experience
Te Kōawa Lodge offers a distinctly Kāi Tahu experience. Throughout the space, there is a focus on mahinga kai, te ao Māori, and local cultural narratives. We are establishing a new Pā Harakeke (and there are existing mature harakeke varieties in front of the lodge that are suitable for raranga/weaving). We also have a taonga species trail in the front that has information on Kā whetū o Matariki (the Matariki stars).
Bookings
Up until 30 November 2025, bookings or enquiries are handled by Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka who hold the lease. Please contact the office via phone at (03) 234 8192 or via email at office@orakaaparima.org.nz.
From 1st December 2025 onwards, bookings will be through Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust. To enquire, please fill in our booking enquiry form.
Alternatively, you can contact our Manager, Vanessa Horwell, on 021 0255 6918 or email info@tewaiaumahikakaitrust.co.nz.
Other accommodation options
If you are a larger group, you may want to book Te Kōawa Lodge instead, or as well as Te Kārearea apartment.
Further information
Arrival and departure
Check-in is available from 2:00pm. Check-out is strictly by 10:00am. Any requests to vary these times must be arranged in advance with the Lodge Manager.
Deposits and Cancellations
A 20% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm your booking. The balance must be paid in full 7 days before your stay.
Cancellations made:
7-14 days prior to arrival: 50% of the total hire cost is payable
Less than 7 days prior: 100% of the hire cost is payable (unless the booking can be replaced).
Cleaning
Groups are responsible for leaving the lodge and apartment clean and tidy for the next manuhiri (guests). We provide brooms, mops, buckets and cleaning equipment and supplies. A cleaning checklist is displayed in the lodge and must be followed with all cleaning jobs completed before departure.
A cleaning fee of $100 per hour will apply if additional cleaning is required to the required standard.
Groups are required to bring their own washing up liquid, tea towels, cloths and toilet paper.
Pre-arranged Cleaning contract
A pre-arranged contract clean is available for $150 for the apartment, subject to availability. The contract clean includes cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, vacuuming and mopping of floors, cleaning of the oven/stove, and cleaning of the windows and fridge.
Before leaving the Apartment, please ensure that it is left tidy, with all rubbish and belongings removed, and dishes done and put away.
Any soiling that goes beyond what is considered normal or reasonable will result in an additional cleaning fee, which will be charged at a rate of $50 per hour.
What you need to bring
There is no WiFi or shop nearby, so please come prepared.
You will need to bring:
Bedding (sheets, pillows, duvets or sleeping bags) and towels. All guests must use a bottom sheet on the mattresses.
Tea towels, cloths, dishwashing liquid
Toilet paper
All food and drink supplies – the nearest shop is in Manapōuri, with supermarkets in Te Anau or Tuatapere
First Aid Kit for your group
Rubbish bags – all waste must be taken with you when you leave.
Damages and breakages
Please report any damage or breakages during your stay to the Manager. Repairs will be organised by the Manager. Costs will be charged to the group. We appreciate honesty and care for the facility.
Pets
To protect the surrounding environment and mahinga kai values, no pets are permitted on-site or inside the lodge. We want to protect our wildlife and taonga species on site.
Exceptions may be made only with prior written approval from the Lodge Manager.
Smoking
Te Kōawa is a smoke-free environment. Fire is a significant hazard at the property, and we must take all steps to avoid fire.
There is strictly NO SMOKING in any building, or elsewhere on the property, except in the designated area on the lodge deck. Please use the ashtray provided and respect the lodge and whenua.
Fires
No fires are permitted anywhere on the property except in the logburner in the main lodge.
No candles are permitted anywhere on the property, inside or outside the lodge or apartment
On departure
Please leave the apartment clean and tidy, with furniture back in the correct place, heating and lights off, windows closed and doors locked. Keys must be placed back in the lock box.
Our environment
We ask you to respect our environment and make sure all lights and heaters are switched off when not in use.
Heating is not to be left on when guests are away for the day, or not in the room.
Please use water wisely and sparingly as we are on a limited supply of rainwater from our rainwater tanks. Water is filtered and treated by UV and is completely safe to drink.
Please take all rubbish with you. There will be a waste disposal fee for any rubbish left behind.
Header photo: Mānuka flowers. © pluckytree via Flickr.