Poronui 

Mandy talks about her stay in April

Poronui is not only a luxury wilderness lodge providing the world’s finest fishing and hunting, but a retreat for everyone to escape to.  Kerry and her husband spent 4 days and my husband and I spent 2 days recently enjoying Poronui’s activities.  Situated in the Taharua Valley at the end of Taharua Road, which is 25kms along State Highway 5 from Taupo heading towards Napier. 

We arrived at the Lodge in the afternoon and all was fairly quiet.  We were greeted by Eve, Lodge Manager of Poronui, who makes you feel like one of the family as soon as you arrive.  We were taken to our freestanding cabin and were lucky enough to have one that had its own living area, but found we never used it as we spent most of our time in the main Lodge room.  By late afternoon the Fishermen and Woman were back and the Hunters arrived soon after.  After introductions to the other guests, stories of catches and great hunts were shared.  Kerry and her husband were hunting with Mark who lives onsite at Poronui and is not only a hunting guide but is the Property Manager with its Waygu Cattle and Poronui’s Reserve that contains Trophy Deer, he has a big job.  Along with free range hunting on 6,500 hectares of back country wilderness,  Poronui Hunting offers superb trophy red stag hunting, along with fallow buck, sambar, rusa, chamois, tahr and our speciality - sika.  You can also hunt wild boar, Arapawa ram and feral goat.  Kerry’s husband had his days well planned with Mark.  As for me I was very keen to Flyfish. 

After a fabulous meal with everyone including Eve and the Guides an early night was required as I had been convinced to be up and ready to gather Mushrooms for breakfast at 6am (not an early morning person, this was big!), but I managed to get up and along with Eve and an American guest we ventured out and gathered some beautiful Mushrooms.  After Breakfast my husband and I met Craig our Fly Fishing Guide for a day on the river.  It was a very wet day, but we waded up the river and spent about 5 hours fishing, stopping for a fantastic picnic, provided by the wonderful staff at Poronui.  The results of the fishing, Mandy - 3 Trout, Husband - Nil. 

We returned to the Lodge and after a well needed warm shower we joined the other guests in the Lodge for drinks and yet another amazing meal. 

The next day we decided to go for a walk, so Mark took Kerry, myself and the boys for a drive up through the reserve that holds all the Trophy Deer and then stopped at the beginning of the most incredible Beech Forrest.  My husband a Mountain Biker decided to bike while the rest of us walked.  Mark guided us through the Forrest where enormous Beech trees towered over us and beautiful ferns and mosses of the most incredible green lay below us.  We could hear the Roar and screams of Deer and saw many scatter as we walked along the track.  After about 3 hours and a detour for Mark as he had to rescue the lost biker we came out of the Forrest and were met by Eve who drove us back to the Lodge.  The experience was amazing. 

Not only does Poronui offer 7 luxury Cabins it also has a Safari Camp by the River and Blake House which has four double or twin bedrooms and two bunkrooms, each with four single bunks, providing a total sleeping capacity for up to sixteen people. Attached sunrooms complement the four main bedrooms, each appointed with luxurious ensuite bathrooms.  Large Lounges and a huge entertainers Kitchen make this country house a fantastic place for couples or families to stay.  You can either self-cater or a chef can be organised for your stay. 

The Stables have Horses available during the warmer months, a large Games room, Gym, Wine Cellar and Spa.  Mountain Bikes are available for use and many walking tracks to explore. With endless activities onsite Poronui offers the ultimate luxury wilderness experience.  Let us organise your next getaway at Poronui.  For more details contact us.