Accommodation
Nature at its best!
A quick 10 minute ferry ride from Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour or a 45 min drive from Central Christchurch, Manaaki Mai is your slice of paradise on the backdoor step of Christchurch, Lyttleton Harbour and Akaroa.
Relax & rejuvenate at Manaaki Mai located in Purau, Diamond Harbour.
Nestled under the majestic ridge-line of Purau Bay, Lyttelton Harbour in the Canterbury region, Manaaki Mai accommodation is surrounded by 50 acres of orchards, olive groves, native bush and garden.
Manaaki Mai Rustic Retreat
Our rustic retreat accommodation is 34km from Christchurch city, 43km from the airport, 49km from Akaroa and has private parking available on site. Idyllic and romantic rustic hut nestled into the bush, complete with the promise of a long soak under the stars. No electricity. Completely off the grid! Outdoors gas fired bath under the stars.
Guest House
Take it easy at this unique and tranquil getaway. Only 45 mins from the centre of Christchurch, wake up to bird song and stunning views of the surrounding peaks. With Purau Bay nestled below, enjoy coffee on the patio then a peaceful, restorative walk through our regenerating native bush. Once you visit, you will never want to leave!
In te reo Māori, Manaaki Mai means come this way to be cared for, nurtured, supported; for hospitality, generosity and to be looked after. This is what we offer at Manaaki Mai in Purau Bay, Diamond Harbour.
With our stunning Lyttelton harbour and majestic ridgeline views, Manaaki Mai provides serene spaces; walks to native bush, rocky bluffs, tussock grassland, an historic farm site, olive groves, orchards and even a fire pit.
Rustic Retreat Gallery
International Guests Quotes
“Beautiful space in a breathtaking spot.”
“Everything you need for a wonderful getaway in the hills and stars. Wonderful house and amenities. Would love a place like this as home! Hiking on the door step too. Looking forward to going back and having a swim in Port Levy in the summer.”
Naomi, Middlebury, VA, USA
“Andrea and Paul are amazing and awesome hosts.”
“We are grateful for the privilege to stay at their lovely cottage. We love the serenity and beautiful mountain view that we wake up every morning. Andrea is very warm and genuine and we love her dog, Olive too! Great place to stay for peace and food for soul! We saw wild bunnies whilst taking our walk in the bush!”
Gwen, Singapore
“Absolutely wonderful staying at Manaaki Mai! ”
“The house is situated in the beautiful countryside of the peninsula and is gorgeous itself. I do recommend this place and will be happy to return. Andrea (the host) is really nice and caring.”
Julien, Patio, French Polynesia
“Lovely views. Very peaceful. Lovely hosts.”
Graham, UK
“Wonderful eco-farm with breathtaking views to stay in Diamond Harbour!”
“We had great communication prior to arriving to Diamond Harbour. Andrea & Paul are just wonderful hosts. We appreciate their thoughtfulness and kindness, as well as all the small details that made our stay so comfortable and memorable. Our son loved playing catch with Olive (their dog) and running together. He also loved sitting on Paul’s tractor and he remembers a fan-tail bird who followed him everywhere! We really enjoyed hiking beautiful trails on their property and visiting Orton Bradley Park. The eco-farm was sparkling clean and had everything you need for a wonderful family vacation. Fully equipped kitchen, comfortable bedrooms and bathrooms, and a cozy family room with fireplace. Getting to know how kind and friendly people are in New Zealand was one of the highlights of our trip. Andrea and Paul made us feel at home. They are an awesome representation of the wonderful friendly nature of NZ! New Zealand is just an amazing paradise. Can’t wait to be back one day!”
John, Weston, FL, USA
Local Guests Quotes
“We loved staying at at Manaaki Mai lodge.”
“It was super clean, we loved the diffusers – the lodged smelled amazing. The location was great with beautiful views. We will be back!”
Oliver, Canterbury, NZ
“Andrea and Paul have created such a beautiful getaway here (Rustic Retreat)!”
“I could not recommend their hospitality highly enough and am so thankful for the opportunity to borrow this little slice of paradise for a night. A hot bath under the stars was exactly what the doctor ordered, I will definitely be back for more!”
Meg, NZ
“Such a great location!”
“We had every meal at the outdoor table enjoying the beautiful view and environment. The house is on a great property, we enjoyed the walk up the hill. The hosts are wonderful, they went way above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. They were great with our 2 kids as well. Highly recommend, this is Airbnb at its best. Hope to be able to return!”
Henry, Christchurch, NZ
“We absolutely loved our two night stay!”
“All communication was fluid and immediate, and we found the house to be just as advertised: it is a cosy, comfortable home in a fantastic, tranquil location. We had all the amenities we needed (including a rice cooker and sandwich machine!) and found the place beautifully clean, with quality linens and towels and a gorgeous view. Paul and Andrea had lit the fire for us which was so nice to arrive to; and they were lovely neighbours/hosts, answering all our questions as well as helping us to find the right walk up the hill (complete with babbling brook and darting piwakawaka.) We had breakfast outside, a picnic lunch at Camp Bay, explored Port Levy in the afternoon and ate dinner by the fire. Highly recommend!”
Mary, Christchurch, NZ