Your Hosts: Steve Baker and Yang Liao

Steve: "I am originally from England where I taught English in London and Devon before moving to Japan where I spent 5 amazing years teaching in Kyoto and trying to learn Japanese traditional ink painting.
When I came to New Zealand, I decided to change my career and now teach blind people as well as starting a gardening business.
Here now in Kerikeri for 6 years, finally in my dream setting which allows me to follow my passions for fishing, gardening and birdwatching - as well as having the pleasure of meeting B&B guests from all over the world and sharing our stories."

Yang: "I came from China in 2010 to have a new life in New Zealand. I love the friendly, relaxed atmosphere here and try to spent a lot of time fishing. I am now enjoying helping Steve to take care of the B&B and Gardening businesses. I graduated from Beijing Judehuatian Cooking School and I ran a restaurant in Beijing before I came to New Zealand. Cooking is my big passion in my life and now I am teaching Chinese Cooking Classes for people in Kerikeri and tourists from around the world. It would be my pleasure to offer you an experience of Chinese Cooking - learning how to cook and sharing the food we cook together."

Gardens & Birdwatching at Wairoa Valley

You are very welcome to walk around and relax in the gardens which have something of interest throughout the year. Being sub-tropical, many plants and trees may rest just for a short time in the mild winter, some, such as the proteas, choosing to flower as it becomes cooler. Spring is a time of wonderful early colour with the paulonia and Australian frangipani trees the star attractions - for the nectar-feeding birds too! Summer is an array of cottage garden favourites like dahlias and zinnias together with the exotic strelitzia (Bird of Paradise flower) and daturas.

The Birdlife

The native bush borders the property and follows the path of the Wairoa stream, which means 'Long Water' in Maori. Some of the bush is very old and untouched - one puriri tree is over 500 years old! You can walk along the stream and enjoy the cool tranquility and see some of the 42 different species of birds I have counted so far.