Onepu Moana Retreat - Onepu Moana Retreat 115 State Highway 12

We're Wayne & Anita and we have been the local Property Managers for this beautiful property since its opening. Onepu Moana is a flagship holiday home in the area. Over our years of cleaning it, we have been both delighted at how lovely and caring the great majority of guests are, However, we have also been shocked how disrespectful a few "bad egg" guests have been to the property. We are adding our Review here because we know both the property and the owners extremely well. So to reassure prospective guests, please ignore a recent flurry of awful 1-star reviews on this platform, which have all been generated from two bookings where, in our professional opinion, the reckless damages done were excessive and far beyond "fair wear and tear". These guests lost some or all of their Security Bond, which we support was fully appropriate in the circumstances - and these guests have consequently decided to launch a low-ratings attack on this property, which it does not deserve. We can fully reassure you, we know without doubt, that both the holiday home and the owners are lovely.

Joining my friends in adding my 1 star review here, as my stay, like theirs was affected by the issues with the property and our negative dealings with the owners. "Acrimonious" as Kathy describes it is correct - as she quickly referred us to her lawyers when we made several attempts to arrive at a reasonable resolution for both parties. Google reviews have become our only avenue for having our experience validated, a situation I have never encountered with any holiday home, or indeed, any service or company in the past - as I always attempt to give and resolve negative feedback privately when I have a bad experience. Although a number of our reviews are connected, there are at least four other groups who aren't connected to us who have also left 1 star reviews for this property. Furthermore, it is very obvious that the owners have used their friends and family members to pad the reviews for their property with 5 star reviews, another example, in my opinion, of their unscrupulous way of doing business. Stay at your own risk.

Our extended family stayed here for a three nights over the past weekend with a total of 13 people. We all had enough space as there is plenty of room throughout both levels. Being self contained for each level is awesome as it gives you the flexibility to have seperate spaces to enjoy. There is plenty of parking and amenities on offer for us to enjoy in this home. It is also a great base to go exploring as it’s a 3 minute drive to Opononi shops. Onepu accommodation is well designed and a fantastic location. There are sea views throughout the upper level and views out over the countryside also. A large backyard that is fully fenced with a spa pool for those chilly nights or afternoons completed our stay. My favourite feature was the upper level kitchen with an extra large oven to cater for our group which made cooking a breeze. Clean up was easy with modern and sleek appliances. Everything was chosen with care, there was nothing we needed to take as the linen, bedding and everything was provided in the fully equipped home including a Weber bbq on the large deck. I highly recommend staying here with your Whanau next time you come to Opononi. You will leave here feeling refreshed and invigorated by the fresh sea breezes and clean, crisp country air. A must stay location. Thanks for having us Onepu accommodation.

Okay look. I was part of the group from New Years last year and everything that could be said has been already. For what it's worth, Opononi is a great place to spend the summer, highly recommend staying in the area. The owners of this particular house, however, are horrible to deal with - and we're not the only group they've conned out of deposit money with absurd nonexistent issues. Honestly, I feel icky even leaving this review but they've so clearly stacked the reviews with friends chirruping about it being 5/5 it's only fair to balance it out. If it's your absolute only option because every single other accommodation in the area is booked, well, okay maybe. Maybe stay here, just read the comments, know what they're like to deal with beforehand and be prepared to be unreasonably refused your bond/deposit. Personally, if my only option was holidaying in a house owned by the Frauds - sorry, autocorrect* - the Frays, I'd stay home. (*it actually did autocorrect! But, y'know - too accurate not to leave in.) EDIT: in response to Kathy's comment below. Kathy I'm afraid any attempt by you to save face is going to fail. The "numerous complaints" could only have come from the one lot of neighbours to the left - the same ones who took photos of our group - mostly women - doing yoga outside on our first morning there. They're lucky we didn't call the police. They're clearly in contact with you in some sort of desperate attempt to dredge up false "wrongdoings" that you can use to justify withholding bond - or in our case, demand extra payment on top of the exorbitant rates already charged. We've also repeatedly disproven the frankly bizarre claims you've made of excess numbers of people (we had friends staying in a campsite nearby, they spent time at the house with us during the day) - which at one point you claimed you could prove by the amount of DUST we left. Even if that were remotely possible - and it is not - we cleaned the house before we left, for goodness' sake. Get a grip. You are the worst sort of property investor running a very clumsy con. I hope, but doubt, that you've learnt some sort of lesson from all of this. I wish you a most economically difficult summer to come.

We stayed at Onepu Moana Retreat with friends, we were 12 all together. I have to say that the view from the deck out to the water is spectacular. The deck is large, room for everyone with lovely chairs to lounge on with our cocktails, the kitchens x 2 were well stocked and loved having a coffee machine, the hot tub was a bonus too, so nice and warm and relaxing. The rooms where very comfortable, it felt like we were in a resort. We did lots of walks in the area and dined out and chartered a fishing trip, which was extremely successful, we caught loads of fish. I would diffidently return to this awesome holiday place. Our hosts Cathy and Mark were kind and easy to communicate with. Thank you for making this weekend so special.

Onepu Moana Retreat, was an absolute luxury to stay for a 3 day gals weekend. The birds eye views off the deck and all around of the Hokianga are stunning. The retreat is of a very high standard with immaculate conditions and all the fancy trimmings us 50 somethings enjoyed. Lovely comfy beds beautiful linen oh and the outdoor shelterd spa with a glass of wine under pretty lights. Will definitely be booking Onepu Moana again. Top notch awesome getaway in Opononi. Big thanks to the owners creating such a beautiful haven to share, We loved it???

This house was a blessing for our family, it has been 2 and a bit years since we have waited to come back to NZ, to see our family and spend that quality time and to make precious memories with them all. Absolutely stunning views, stepping out onto that balcony to soak up that view daily, I was in my happy place. Being the last property for that set of homes, I felt as though we had a piece of beach paradise just for us. The house was immaculate, and we loved the beach decor, my father and grandmother couldn’t stop saying how beautiful it was. They left nothing to the imagination. Plenty of space for all of us, and the family absolutely loved the spa pool. Thank you for welcoming us into your lovely home, we hope others appreciate its beauty like we did.

My family and I have just spent three amazing nights at this property and everyone had the same opinion that this house has a wow factor. The deck area has the most amazing views and the kitchen and lounge areas including the hallways are tastefully decorated. We hired both upstairs and downstairs and there was plenty of room for all. There was a cupboard with loads of board games which kept the kids entertained and the kitchens are well stocked with quality serving ware. We would definitely love to come back again next time we’re visiting.