Budget Accommodation Kerikeri | Hone Heke Lodge Reviews

In the years since we reopened Hone Heke Lodge ‘flashpackers’ budget accommodation in Kerikeri we welcomed guests from over 55 different countries. Amazing!

Our guests have come from the following countries to enjoy our ‘flash’ budget accommodation: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Falkland Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Iran, Israel, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Phillipines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands, Tonga, Turkey, Uraguay, USA, Vanuatu & Wales. Phew!

Our prices suit those looking for “budget accommodation” and our facilities and service suit those who want good facilities and service too, as you’ll see from these reviews from our wonderful guests…

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation

• Best working hostel ever! If you are looking for a place where you can feel at home, make friends and some money too, that is the Hone Heke Lodge. Really nice facilities, a lot of space to wonder around, walks, waterfalls. We will sure come back soon! -Noelia & Gonzalo
• I stayed at Hone Heke for 5 months. David and Vicky were fantastic. They were very welcoming and helped me find a job straight away. The hostel is clean and tidy and I highly recommend it! – Nikki
• Thank you for everything. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more at home in a hostel than here. Thanks for finding me some work, for the pot luck dinner and for always keeping the hostel clean! Keep up the great job- it REALLY IS THE BEST HOSTEL in NEW ZEALAND! -Helen
• Thank you for everything you. I have had an amazing time here and hope to come back. -Nik
• I have been here for 6 months and leaving is so hard. I have so many good memories. This is a special place and I will treasure it in my memories forever. -Ted
• Thank you all for the wonderful time I spent at Hone Heke Lodge. I felt at home during my stay. Thanks for a great Christmas too! – Nicola
• We really enjoyed our stay here at the Hone Heke. Great accommodation, really clean and tidy. We’ll definitely come back if we’re heading back to Northland. All the best guys – Thomas
• Thank you very much for your wonderful hostel and your kindness. We really enjoyed our last 2 months here in this amazing town and we met so many lovely people and saw some incredible places. You are lucky to live here. -Alex & Noemie

• I just want you to know how grateful I and for the time in your hostel. It was the perfect place to meet great people, work, chill and be away from home. You are great people and marvellous employers. Words can’t describe how amazing you guys are. – Chris
• Thank you so much for everything you have done for me  and everyone here over the last few months. I never imagined when I arrived that the world would change and I’d be here for so long but I am so lucky to have spent lockdown with you. Living and working with you has been a joy and though I am excited to leave I am sad to be leaving behind the home that I have made here. You are the best travel mum and dad you could want. -Emma
• It feels so weird to leave this place after such a long time. I couldn’t imagine a better place to have stayed during lockdown and I feel like I have a second home in NZ. I will miss you guys. Thank you for caring so much about the backpackers that stay here and always going out of your way for us. -Laetitia
• Looking back to when we arrived – and through a global pandemic, we have survived! There’s no better place for us to self-isolate, the way you handled Covid19 was so great. It was so nice to have a second home, with David & Victoria we’ve never felt alone. Thanks for your endless working days, which are now sending us on our travelling ways. And finally, thanks for letting us build our car, although we’ve off we’ll never be too far. See you in a few months time, hope you enjoyed this little rhyme. – Daniel & Clare

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Thanks a lot for my best experience in NZ. This hostel is not like a normal hostel – it is a family. I can not thank you enough for everything you have done for me. Hone Heke Lodge is the best Hostel in NZ and maybe all around the world. Thank you again. – Finja
• I couldn’t have been stuck in a better place than here during this lockdown and I’m so grateful for that. Thanks for everything you do every day to make this place feel like home for us. -Florette
• Thank you so much for everything you do. I’ve had an amazing time here at the lodge these past few months. This feels like my second home. I am so grateful I could spend the lockdown here and the way you guys handled the hostel during Corona Pandemic was amazing! Thanks again. – Alanys
• When I first arrived and talked to people I thought they were crazy for staying up to 6 months in the same hostel but now I’ve been here for 3 months myself and I can totally understand! Hone Heke Lodge just feels right. I’m really grateful I could be here during lockdown. I think it was the best place possible. Thank you for handling the situation so amazingly and always giving us up to date information about what’s happening. Also thank you for always being there for us and helping us with work and literally everything else! It’s going to be weird leaving my Hone Heke Lodge family – a bit like leaving home a second time. I’ll be back. -Laura
• Thank you for everything you have done for us. I don’t even know where to start… thanks for providing jobs, driving us to work every day, keeping this place clean and safe for us. All your work makes this place feel like a second home for me and everyone else. I really can’t of imagined a better place to spend lockdown. Thanks for being my NZ mum and dad. – Ellen
• I give your place 5 stars – more if i could! – Filippa
• Feels super weird to be leaving our lockdown family after everything we’ve been through. You guys have established an amazing community here and we definitely won’t forget it. Thank you for all your kind words and patience. -Charlene & Kalen
• David & Vicky – what can I say? Like everyone that comes here this has been more than a home. The community you create here is something special. I can not thank you enough for everything you have done for me. -Georgie
• We’ve had an amazing 4 months at your lodge. Thank you so much for always providing us with jobs, even during Corona lockdown!, for cleaning our rooms & for always being there for us. We can tell you love what you do. It feels weird leaving this amazing place, especially since we’ve grown together into a big family during lockdown. Thanks again -Siham & Andreas
• I don’t think I am able to thank you enough for everything you have done for me. Thank you for the jobs and the most incredible support during corona lockdown. I’m so thankful I was here during this hard and crazy time. This has really grown into something deeper that I ever expected. Kerikeri and Hone Heke Lodge will forever have a special place in my heart. – Filippa
• It was a wonderful 2 months her with you. Thanks for everything. For me it is my second home. Everyone in the hostel is wonderful. I’ve made friend here forever! Thank you for everything. -Tobi
• Just wanted to say Thank You for everything you two have done for us. I know that these current times are hard for everyone – but you two never failed to keep everyone’s mood & hopes up. Thank you for everything and helping me organise getting home admits global pandemic. -Sean
• Thanks for being there for everyone and supporting us through hard corona times. You made our stay great. – Lasse & Luisa
• Thanks for taking care of us in this crazy times. We really appreciate your hard work. You always try to keep the mood up even though it’s a tough time for you too. You deserve the best and we wish you all the greatest happiness. You are both amazing. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. -Paul & Adina
• The time in the lodge was the best finish for our trip. We will really miss every single person and especially you two. The lodge is not only a business for you – it comes from your heart. For us it became our second home. Keep going. In these tough times it was good to have a New Zealand ‘mum and dad’. Stay safe and Thank You! -Tom & Fabian
• Thank you for the good times and the work we got to experience. You were amazing and always friendly to us and everyone we met at the hostel will always be in our memory. – Tim & Luca
• Even though it was a short time here at Hone Heke Lodge, it was great. I can say without a doubt that “This is the best hostel in New Zealand” I loved staying here with friendly owners and wonderful people- it gave me a feeling of home -especially in difficult times. Thank you. -Alex
• Today we say goodbye for the second time. After our road trip around NZ we came back to where our adventure started. We are so happy we came back to see you again. Hone Heke Lodge is our second home on the other side of the world and we are thankful for that. We thank you so much for everything you have done for us and that we found a safe place during Covid19 Lockdown. You are great. – Sky & Hagen
• Thank you so much for the lovely second stay here. You made me feel welcome and loved. My second home from home. – Casper
• David & Victoria – thanks for everything you do for us! This is my second time here and it felt like I never left. I have been to many hostels in NZ and your hostel is the best by far! Keep doing what you are doing because everyone really appreciates it. -Dejan
• Thanks for the amazing time and work. The lodge was a perfect home in this (Covid) time. We wish you all the best. – Max & Felix

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Thank you ever so much for having me at Hone Heke Lodge – it has been a fantastic experience and one I will never forget. You have made me feel so very welcome and felt like home from home. You are doing such a wonderful job here and everyone absolutely loves you guys and it’s no wonder why. All the best. -Katie
• You gave us a second home here in New Zealand and gave us a great start here. You two have created a beautiful place over here where so many nationalities come together to have a great time. We are absolutely thankful to be part of this. – Anna & Lotta
• Thank you for everything you did for me and you do here at Hone Heke Lodge. Thank you for showing us how welcoming and warm this country can be. Thank you for making us feel safe and for taking care of us. Thank you for making me feel at home 20,000km from home! Thank you for creating a place we all want to come back to! So, in one word MERCI -Camilla
• This hostel has been beyond what I could have hoped for. The beds alone made me fall in love with this place! and the people help! Thanks to everybody I have spent a wonderful Christmas & birthday here. I will miss this place and can’t wait to come back already! Thank you for everything. -(Lady) Zaza (of Glencoe)
• When it’s hard to leave a certain place you know it’s been a special one. I stayed 7 weeks. If I hadn’t come to this lodge I would probably have gone home – thank you for caring for me when I was homesick. I have met amazing people here with so many great memories. -Charlotte
• When I first arrived here I was supposed to stay here for 2 weeks – but that turned into 2 months. Thank you for your hospitality & kindness. You make us feel like a family -especially at Christmas & with Pot Luck Dinners. Thank you so much. -Pero
• Thank you for welcoming me to Hone Heke Lodge. I was supposed to stay for one month but ended up staying longer because I felt like I was at home. I came here alone but met some extraordinary people. Thanks for helping me get a good job too where I met nice people. Thank you for your kindness. – Mel
• Ironic that I leave the place I love on Valentine’s Day! I never imagined spending half my time in NZ in Kerikeri but in hindsight I would do it again 100%. It always felt like home away from home. Thank you for every single day, for every job, for every chat, for every football match and for being there for me. -Marvin

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Thanks for everything. You made Hone Heke Lodge a home away from home and we’re so grateful for the kindness & hospitality you shared us. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year – Aimee & Jack
• Thank you for a lovely stay here at Hone Heke Lodge. From all my hostels I have stayed in since I arrived in New Zealand this was my favourite. You were always kind and helpful. -Leon
• We want to thank you for the wonderful time we spent there. We had an amazing time here in Kerikeri. It is a wonderful hostel. You really do an amazing job. -Theo & Bastian
• It was really lovely being here again. Keep up the good work – you’ve created an amazing place here. – Mariel
• We are leaving here for the 3rd time! We worked here for 6 months in total. Thank you again for all your hard work that makes us feel at home away from home. -Gaelle, Baptiste & Joris
• Thank you so much for this lovely place. We enjoyed this time at Hone Heke Lodge. Keep on making this place a home for travellers.                 -Baptiste & Nico
• I had a wonderful stay at your lovely Hone Heke Lodge. I think words can not describe my feelings for this place so I just wanted to say thank you….for this unforgettable time, plenty of memories, for giving me a second home, for a big new family and lots of new friends, for a unique kiwi Christmas & birthday with you, for creating this beautiful place in Kerikeri. -Maya
• Your hostel is amazing and I more amazed by how much love you run it with. I met the best people here and found a lot of new friends who made my stay unforgettable. Thanks for creating a home for so many people on the other side of the world. – Zoe
• You have such a unique and well run hostel here in Keirker and I’m grateful to have stayed here. You’ve managed to make a family-style hostel that is still open to accepting those wandering solo travellers like myself. I have never seen that work before! You both work and care so much while learning everyone’s name and making it seem effortless. I will spread the story of Hone Heke Lodge far and wide. – Alex
• I wanted to say thank for the most wonderful time. I’ll miss this amazing hostel. I’ve never been in such a clean and backpacker friendly hostel before. If I ever come back to NZ Hone Heke Lodge will be the place to be. I had great jobs with great bosses who became friends. I came with 2 of my best friends and left with many more. Thank you – Max
• Thank you so much for everything. I think this will be the best hostel I will ever visit! – Sophie
• I had a wonderful time here – thank you for everything. -Sre
• A huge thank you for everything that you do. This place really feels like home. -Sean

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Dear Dave & Vicky. When we arrived you didn’t just give us shelter, you gave us the opportunity to find new friends and to find our feet in New Zealand. You helped us when we needed it and found us work. We met wonderful people in your hostel and we want to thank you. -Liam & Joshua
• We want to thank you very much for the fact that we found our home in your home, Hone Heke Lodge, over the last 7 weeks. We could not have imagined a better first place to stay and work. Hone Heke Lodge is a magical place, full of wonderful people. We got to know great people here and found many friends. It made it hard to leave. Thank you for always being there for us, listening to us and helping us with everything. -Hagen & Sky
• You have created a second home for us here in Kerikeri. It’s great to see how new friendships evolved her and we’re really grateful for everything you have done for us. We made friends for life here and we’re going to have a Hone Heke Lodge reunion in Wellington! Thank you for EVERYTHING. We will miss this place and you guys and hopefully we’ll see each other again soon. -Filip & Lilly

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Now this time I’m really going! Same as before – perfect place to live for any amount of time. The best hostel in New Zealand by a long shot! Will always have a  place in my heart. – Joe
• Thank you so much for managing this beautiful hostel. You guys do an incredible job and this is truly incredible. I met a lot of friends and if I had a problem you helped me. Thank you so much. -Jannik
• I stayed here for more than 11 weeks and I am grateful for every minute. Hone Heke Lodge is not just a hostel, it is a home away from home. I have made many friends for a lifetime and learnt a lot of new dishes to cook from potluck dinners. Thanks for your help with finding jobs, lifts to these jobs and taking care of us. Please keep doing such a great job for all the other backpackers coming to New Zealand. -Lina
• After staying here for 2 months and falling in love with this place and the people, it’s time to move on. Thank you for making this place feel like a second home. We’ll always keep this place in our hearts. 10/10 -Lessie & Erwin
• I can’t thank you enough for your hospitality and genuine care for me while I stayed with you at Hone Heke Lodge Kerikeri. I am so grateful for the time I have spent here. You have created a home away from home for travellers. -Christina
• You guys are really cool people and have set up this great place with an awesome vibe. This was the perfect place to meet many new people and I even had the opportunity to upgrade my pool & Karaoke skills! –Jelle
• I have made some amazing friends and have happy memories of pruning, sitting around the fire in the evenings and playing ping pong that I will treasure. Thanks for making it all possible. – Ruth
• It was a real pleasure to stay in your lodge because we felt at home here. We’ve met so many people from around the world, so thanks for making it happen. Thanks for your kindness and happiness. We will never forget our stay. – Marine & Gautier

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• I came to New Zealand 3 1/2 months ago with just one destination – Hone Heke Lodge – and after more than 3 months here I can say that it has been one of the best experiences of my life. You are great – the level of care and effort you have towards your guests is really remarkable. Wherever I go after this hostel I will always keep in mind the ‘Hone Heke Lodge standard’ which is the highest I’ve seen so far. You should be really proud of what you have created here. I’ll never forget you. -Luca
• Thank you so much for setting up this amazing home away from home. In the tedious regime of kiwi pruning for the past 2 months it has been so spectacular to come home after work to such a warm and inviting place. We have loved meeting other wonderful travellers, playing pool, Ginger (cat) and the fire place. Hone Heke Lodge made our life easy and we feel so grateful to have called this place home for a while. – Maddi & Cal
• You’ve created something really magical here and I think everybody leaves here with a special place in their hearts for this place! Thanks for putting your hearts and souls into making this hostel so incredible. – Liz
• Thanks a lot for your place and your good vibes. It was a very good first experience for us in NZ. The good ambiance here with all the people is because of you. Thanks a lot for the lovely jobs too. -Ophelia & Martin
• We can’t begin to thank you enough. A home away from home. You guys are truly incredible. -Andy & Kayleigh
• It was a beautiful stay here at Hone Heke Lodge! We felt at home quickly and make new friends. It was our first hostel and we didn’t have to worry about anything. The organisation was amazing and we would recommend it every time. -Lena & Larissa
• Thanks a lot. I had a great time here – 7 weeks! My longest stay in any place in NZ. Thank you for making this lodge a home away from home. Thank you for taking care of us, driving us, cleaning our rooms, I felt very comfortable here and I won’t forget it anytime soon. -Emma

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Thank you so much for the last 2.5 weeks. It was short but we’re happy to end our journey in NZ here at Hone Heke Lodge. Hands down one of the best and most social hostels we’ve been to!! Keep up the great work. We’re going to miss this place. -Rixt & Nikky .
• You guys have no idea how lucky I feel in finding Hone Heke Lodge while looking for places to work. You two made your business a second home for people that are away from home. Just keep up with the good work and I’ll always be grateful for meeting you two on my trip. -Alex
• It was kind of weird coming back after 4 months of travelling because it felt like I was like coming home. Whenever I’ll remember my journey in NZ one of the first things I’ll remember is my time at Hone Heke Lodge. I’ll remember the friendships I made which became really important to me. I’ll also remember the nights out, the pot luck dinners and trips to the beach. And of course the jobs. Thank you! -Verena

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Thank you so much for having us. What originally started as a 3 week stay has turned into almost 3 months. We have had such an amazing time here. Thank you for helping us with work. We were really lucky to work for such a great team! We have had so many laughs here at Hone Heke Lodge and made some lifelong friendships. – Sam & Emma
• Our time in Kerikeri at Hone Heke Lodge will always be the first thing we will remember when we think of our journey through NZ. So we have not only stayed with you for 5 weeks in November, we also spent Christmas & New Year and the beginning of autumn here too. Our work with kiwifruit brought us so many new friends. In the end we even decided to get kiwifruit tattoos as a symbol of our great time in NZ and especially here at Hone Heke Lodge which actually feels like our second home. Thank you for everything. – Lena & Lena
• I was lucky enough to end up at your amazing hostel and stayed for 2 1/2 months. The way you both care for Hone Heke Lodge and all the people that live there is incredible. It felt like coming home every day. It feels hard to leave because this place is a special one and it was special to me!! -Maria
• I had a really good time at the lodge. Thank you so much for everything. -Glen
• Thank you very much for your great hospitality. I really enjoyed my time at Hone Heke Lodge. It was like home. – Marie
• Thank you so much for having us – twice! Thank you for everything and for giving us so many job opportunities. Hone Heke Lodge felt like home for us – even if it’s on the other side of the earth! -Emilia & Viktoria
• We had a great time and a lot of fun during our stay at Hone Heke Lodge. After travelling through the South Island it was such a pleasure to return “home” here once again before we leave NZ. We appreciate your hospitality very much and are thankful for every job you organised for us. Hone Heke Lodge is one of the best places in New Zealand! Thanks for everything. -Andy & Fabian
• We ended up staying at Hone Heke Lodge for 7 weeks working. One of our most amazing experiences. Thank you so much for all your efforts and for creating and keeping this amazing place where people come together and have fun. Thanks for caring for us and always being honest. We are sad to leave and will miss you all and this place a lot! Keep doing what you are doing – you are amazing. -Michael & Janine
• Thank you for everything. You are wonderful. I will always remember my time at your place. -Theo
• We came for 2 weeks and stayed 3 months! Thank you for everything. We really want to thank you for the time you spend to find us many jobs. It was a great experience. – Gaelle, Jois, Baptiste
• Thank you so much for making Hone Heke Lodge such a welcoming and friendly place to have stayed the last few months. We have really enjoyed it. Your hospitality is second to none! – Hannah & Jo
• Thank you so much for a great time in Kerikeri. 6 weeks went by so quickly. Even though it felt like we had to go to work in the middle of the night you were always able to spread happiness and motivation for those early mornings. We wish you the same amount of happiness you gave us! – Amelie & Laura
• Thank you for welcoming us into your beautiful home and awesome Flashpackers. We’ve made some great new friends along with some wicked memories. You both do a fantastic job here. We will be telling tales of NZ’s greatest hostel/home! -Harry & Shannon
• The time has come for me to say goodbye. My first time at Hone Heke Lodge was beautiful and the second time was just awesome!! I don’t know how to thank you for everything you have done for me. You made my time here great. Kerikeri & Hone Heke Lodge is my NZ home and every moment spent here will stay in my mind for a long time. Thank you for your kindness, for my NZ home and for everything. -Irene
• After 6 weeks it’s time to say goodbye. Thank you so much for everything -the job, the fun, friends and my second home. Because of the welcoming atmosphere in the lodge I’ve never felt homesick. I’m so  sad to be leaving your beautiful home but I hope to see you again one day. -Selina
• Thank you so much for welcoming me back into your home for the second time as if I’ve never been gone. I’m really thankful for everything you’ve done for me and all the experiences I could make here this time as well as last time. Coming back here felt like coming home although my family wasn’t there. I made a lot of new friends and have had a great time. Keep doing what you are doing – it’s a backpacker’s dream! -Leonie
• Thank you guys for more than a lovely place. It was always like coming home and hanging around with friends, having cooking sessions and recovering after hard work days. Thank you. -Max

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation

• I have always said that one of my favourite things about travelling is the aesthetic of lostness. But how can one be/feel lost when we find a beautiful family like yours to be temporarily adopted into. It has honestly been an amazing almost 4 months at Hone Heke Lodge. I must admit my favourite part has been the story time in reception with you both. I think you should get some couches & a camera and set up a Big Brother/Hone Heke Lodge diary room. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the best jobs and the best laughs. -Ciara
• Thank you for the great time I had here. It felt like home right from the start. You guys are awesome. – Michael
• Thank you for everything. I had a wonderful time in Kerikeri. You are both doing a great job. -Maddi
• Your hostel is fantastic. The ambience here is just awesome. You’re giving everyone a giga mega super great experience in NZ – so many smiles coming to life in Hone Heke Lodge – it’s unforgettable! -Leo
• We’ve had an amazing time! This has been a great start to our NZ adventure. The hostel and all the people here are great. We will never forget this experience. Keep doing what you’re doing. -Frances & Jim
• The very best hostel in NZ. Thank you for everything – the clean rooms, transportation, even the job – but especially for the smiles you always had on your faces. -Thurid
• I can’t believe that 3 months are already over. It feels so weird to leave Hone Heke Lodge after this time…feels like leaving my 2nd home. Thanks for everything! Please keep putting as much power and love into this place and keep doing what you are doing. -Lara
• Thank you for all the effort you do everyday. You made my first weeks in NZ much easier so now I’m ready to move on. Thanks for making my wings stronger. – Karen
• It’s time to say goodbye after 7 weeks at Hone Heke Lodge. It was a beautiful time in this hostel. Thank you for an incredible time here. -Hendrick
• A superlative experience. Thank you both. -Daniel
• After almost 3 weeks at your beautiful lodge it is hard to say goodbye. You took care of us right from the beginning for which we are really grateful. It was the best start for our time in NZ. We don’t know how you do it but Hone Heke Lodge feels like a second home after only 3 weeks. We met amazing pope and had a lot of fun here! -Melanie & Fearghal
• To the best family ever at the best hostel ever in our most favourite country! Stay awesome. -Jemma & Amy

 

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• We had a lovely stay at Hone Heke Lodge. we felt at home and you guys are the best – always smiling and very friendly!! -Andrea & Stefanne
• I will be back in 20 years! – Shohei
• We can’t believe that 5 weeks are over so fast!!! Thanks for all our help with the jobs and for creating such a wonderful and friendly place to stay for backpackers. We really enjoyed our time here. (and thanks for my birthday balloons). Keep this home as lovely as it is. -Jessie & Lukas
• Thanks so much for the last 3 months. I’m going to miss you. You were like my family. I will never forget you. You are amazing. Be proud of you. -Lisa
• This place really feels like home. I really admire the hard work you put in every day. I am sure that I am not going to find a place like this again. -Anne
• Thank you for the icecream, all the rides in the morning, when Pascale’s always later, and we’re still yawning. Thank you for your kindness, and the strawberries too. It was a beautiful time and we’re going to miss you! – Luis, Tim, Antonio, Ira, Anina, Kristina, Philine, Pascale.
• Thank you for the homeliest stay ever! We had such a great stay for our first 7 weeks in NZ. We’ll be back. – Tom, Hazel & Ollie
• We wanted to say THANK YOU!! It was a real pleasure to stay at Hone Heke Lode for almost 2 months. We felt at home. You guys are so helpful and smiling from morning to night. -Marine & Juliette
• We wanted to say thank you everything! It was such a nice time at Hone Heke Lodge. You can be very proud of what you are doing here. – Joshua & Solveigh
• Thanks for letting us discover one of the nicest places in NZ. Thank you for welcoming us. You gave us jobs and the opportunities to meet new people and make friends. We will never forget this last month being here. It was such a great experience. Thanks for everything. – Jules & Hugo
• A few months ago I met a few people on the beach in Whatipu and they told me if I went to Northland that I should go to Hone Heke Lodge because it’s the best hostel with the nicest people! Well, I’m here and they were right – you are the greatest hostel owners I have met so far! I stayed for 2 1/2 months and I really enjoyed it. Thank you so much for your help and you open eyes an ears whenever needed. – Sabrina

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

 

 

 

 

• It has been an absolute pleasure to stay in such a well run big family home. You guys are an absolute credit not only to yourselves but to the whole community. It’s people like you two who put my faith back in humanity. People just being nice and expecting nothing in return. -Joe
• Thank you for all the help and letting us stay in your hostel! It is a wonderful place and we enjoyed it a lot! And of course thank you for finding a job for us. It was a great time and we hope to come back one day. -Anja & Lea
• Thanks for everything! It was a pleasure to stay in beautiful Hone Heke Lodge! It felt like coming home after a long day of hard work. -Max & Jasmijn
• An era comes to an end. We owe you and this place a lot for all the beautiful memories and stories we have lived through here at the one and only Hone Heke Lodge. It almost feels impossible to leave a place I would consider a home and to leave all of these beautiful people I could call my family. I hope you can keep this place as amazing as it is to keep allowing one generation of backpackers after the other to have the time of their lives. -Mikael
• This place that you built up here was an experience I will never forgot. Although it is a dangerous place because you get so comfortable, meet amazing people and are surrounded by a family atmosphere the you won’t want to leave again. I appreciate everything you did for me. Leaving today feels like leaving home again. – Can
• Just wanted to say a massive thank you for having us at your lovely hostel over the past few weeks. This little workers paradise has felt like a home away from home for us and we really appreciate all the effort you guys went through to make us feel at home. We’re also extremely grateful to you guys for continuously finding us jobs and for checking up on us everyday to make sure everything is ok. Your generosity and hard work definitely didn’t go unnoticed. -Ceri & Joe

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation

• We want to say thank you for all the jobs. We loved staying in this hostel and around beautiful Northland. We’re off now on a new adventure now after meeting at Hone Heke Lodge. -Dave & Jasmijn
• Thank you for keeping us safe. Thank you for giving us a job. Thanks for letting us have such a great Christmas. Thanks for helping us with every little problem – we’re happy for tip to toe. We had so much fun in this hostel. Thanks for all you have done –Hone Heke Lodge is our number one!! -Jana & Benita
• We promised we would come back since we had such a wonderful time last time we stayed and it was a pleasure to stay again. We love Kerikeri and this hostel and we are leaving with heaps of great memories. Thanks to you guys we enjoyed our 2 months here and had an exceptional Christmas. Thanks for all your support, advice and for the good energy you are giving this place. You do an amazing job. -Mirijam, Defne & Leon
• Thank you for this amazing experience. Planned to stay for one night and stayed for a month! You’re doing an amazing job and it was a pleasure to stay here. I will recommend to everyone. -Martin
• Thank you for everything you have done for us over the last few months. You have made us feel so welcome and it has been nice to call somewhere ‘home’. We have both loved staying here and we love the atmosphere you guys have helped to create. We are both leaving this place having made lots of amazing friends and brilliant memories that we will cherish forever! You are both doing an amazing job and I know that we both appreciate all the hardworking and support you provide to us and everyone. Keep up the good work. -Craig & Sam
• This is one of the best hostels we have stayed in. We really love it here and you guys make it feel like home. We are sad to be leaving                  – Sarah & Cash
• After 4 months of staying in Hone Heke Lodge it’s time to say goodbye and thanks for all the things you did for me. The lodge wasn’t only a hostel for us – it was a feeling of home. The atmosphere and people here are amazing. Thanks for everything. I will miss you & the lodge. -Verena
• Thank you for welcoming us back and making us feel so at home. Keep up the hard work – you’re doing a great job! -Jemma & Amy
• I had a great time in this hostel. I planned to stay here for 2 weeks but I stayed for over a month. Thanks for all the jobs and everything else. -Lea

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• It’s never easy to start travelling and enjoying life at such a young age on the other side of the world. I came to this amazing hostel after 1 week in New Zealand. You are a perfect team and create a place for backpackers that is incredible. Everytime I came back to the hostel I said I’m going home – and this shows how unique this hostel is. Thanks for everything and I will never forget this place. -Sophia
• Thanks heaps for all your support over the years – absolute legend! -Rachel
• Thank you for everything – this place is amazing. I was only planning on staying 2 days and ended up staying way longer. You make this place homely and I thank you for all that you’ve done for me. -Elea
• Thank you for all you have done for us. Your kindness and your goodwill to me. You are amazing. – Stephanie
• Thanks for making this place feel like home and all your love and support. It’s hard to say goodbye to a place that’s so lovely and filled with so many lovely parts. I appreciate all you that you have done for me. Hone Heke Lodge is a place to remember and to return. -Bella
• Stay the way you are – you’re great. -Kathi & Leon
• After 3 1/2 months it’s finally time to leave my second home in Kerikeri. The job you got me was life changing decision. During my time working I made so many new friends, had heaps of fun and had a ‘kiwi’ experience that I don’t think a lot of backpackers would get. You made all this possible and I don’t know how I could thank you for that – it really changed my life. This really is a place where you can stay for 3 1/2 months – I made lots of friends, called this home and learnt to cook. Hone Heke lodge will always be a good part of my life and I’m definitely coming back. -David
• Hone Heke Lodge became like a second home for me right from the first day.
• Thanks for everything. – Vincent

Fantastic news on our TripAdvisor 2017 Certificate of Excellence - thanks to our amazing guests!

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• My time in NZ has come to an end and I am so happy that I could spend most of my time here. Hone Heke Lodge became a second home to me on the other side of the world. When I came back again I felt so welcome – I can not describe what that meant to me. THANK YOU for everything. -Alicia
• My wonderful time in NZ is coming to an end and I am more than happy to have started and ended my NZ adventure staying with you – a place I quickly started to call home – a place where you feel safe, a place where people care about you & help you and a place where you look forward to coming back to. Of course, it’s the community at the lodge that you spend more of the time with -all the amazing people from around the world -but it’s also you guys running this place that makes it the way it is. I am really thankful for everything you 2 have done for me – welcomed me back with a hug & smile. You were a huge part of my journey & one I will always look back on and smile. -Fabi
• I arrived 5 months ago in your hostel. I had 11 different jobs & met hundreds of new people. I have to thank you for your the awesome time and the great atmosphere here. Please stay as you are – you are awesome! -Patrick
• Dear David & Victoria – an era is coming to an end. We’ve been living in NZ for 7 months now – and 6 of them at Hone Heke Lodge – working all the time. What a shame you can say, but these months of hard work and problems with our camper van was what made out time in NZ such a unique adventure. Our first attempt to travel the North Island failed because of our car, so we had to come back and earn more money. That happened 3 times to us – but we never had any doubt that we would have a great time being back at Hone Heke Lodge because it felt like coming home. We couldn’t have wished for a better kiwi experience and the greatest thanks goes to you both for offering your family home to us. -David & Joost
• We stayed for just 1 month but we met really nice people here. Thank you for the time we could spend here with you and this big FAMILY. Thanks for your advice & this lovely place. – Petr & Sara
• My time here was short but sweet but I couldn’t thank you enough for your hospitality. I love how you’ve used your experiences from travelling to provide us lot with a special place to make our own experiences. Looking forward to returning next year to make more Hone Heke Lodge memories. -Sophie

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Wow, what a wonderfully welcoming hostel. Right from my arrival I’ve had a fabulous time here. Thanks to everyone – the staff & guests. I will recommend it glowingly to every traveller I meet from now on. Thank you so much. -Tom
• We both had a wonderful time staying here from the first day we arrived. After checking out lots of hostels we can honestly say that this one has got the best owners we have come across. Naturally nice, full of energy and always helpful. Nice people and great atmosphere. -Sae & Antoine
• Had a lovely time – really nice people. Really friendly. They care about you here and always someone to talk to. Will miss you all. -Jeanine
• Thanks for yet another lovely stay at Hone Heke Lodge. One of the best, if not the best hostel in Northland and definitely one of the friendliest. Great staff, nice rooms and a fantastic atmosphere. -Jen
• It was probably one of the best decisions to stay here for a few days – and that is almost 7 months ago, I never believed that we would spend so many nights in this hostel and that we would come back so many times. You guys make this place so special and after all this time I can call Hone Heke Lodge my second home. Thank you for that and all the other things you did for us. And thank you for all the jobs. It was a unique experience. There is no New Zealand without Hone Heke Lodge. – David
• All good things come to an end. I have spent 4 incredible months here at Hone Heke Lodge and it’s pretty hard to leave. Thank you both for having created such a friendly, comfortable and safe place for backpackers. I hope you will keep this place running as long as you can so that every traveller has the opportunity to discover this amazing place. Thank you for getting me a job – I will never look at a kiwifruit in the same way. I’m really glad I spent the winter here and I will cherish the memories of nights by the fire having awesome conversations with amazing people and finding out that we are all the same. All in all, thanks for everything! I happy to have met you both. -Berengere.
• Much appreciation to you and your family for the pleasant time (3 1/2 months) staying at this lodge. I’ve met an amazing group of individuals here. I’ve only stayed at one other hostel in Auckland so this is the best hostel I have stayed in – so congratulations.  -Richard
• Thanks to you both for making my 6 weeks here even more fantastic than they already were. I really enjoyed staying here with you and your constant happiness. Your lodge is a nice place and I was very pleased to share memories here with everybody. Thank you for everything. -Kevin
• The love and effort you put into this backpackers makes you not want to leave. I am so happy to have been here for almost 5 months. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! because without your help everything would have been different. -Gonzalo & Genoveva
• It was a crazy time. As I arrived I never thought I would stay for 3 months. The second day you got me a good job where I could earn good money. Thank you for that. I had a great time here and you run the lodge so well and try to get everyone who wants to work a job. I met wonderful new friends, learnt a lot and had a good time. Thank you. -Jessica
• Who would have thought I would stay here 5 months! I remember my first week of my stay here – thank you so much for your support back then. It was really awkward for me and I really appreciate how you managed this. After this I met so many lovely people and we had a really good ‘community’ and it felt like we were a sort of family. I loved the vibe at Hone Heke Lodge – this is what makes your place very special & unique. Thank you both for this beautiful place, for your support, for the conversations we had. It’s hard work but we feel your passion about this place. Keep it up. -Sinja
• First we wanted to stay for only 2 nights but then we decided to come back here to look for work after our road trip to Cape Reinga. We are glad and thankful that you found us a job in Kaitaia but we are little bit sad that we can’t stay here longer. This place is so comfortable and tidy. You really care about all of us and make sure we are all ok. Thank you very much. -Sarah
• This is only the second hostel I have stayed in since I arrived in NZ which makes me feel anxious since I don’t know or simply don’t think that it is likely I will ever come to another place where I will feel so cared for by you two and all the other nice people staying here. In the short time we stayed here you made it look so easy for a place on the other side of the world to feel like home. We are both happy that we chose to come to this place and are thankful for everything you have provided us with. -Ole
• Thank you for a great week here. I really liked it here and I can totally understand why people stay here for months. Everyone is so nice and helpful and the atmosphere is great. Thanks for your help. – Kacy
• Time went by so quickly  – it doesn’t even feel like I’ve been here for a few weeks but it’s a good sign as I enjoyed my time here. Thanks for helping me with the job and being there when I needed it. You seem like you enjoy what you do and it’s what you can see in the atmosphere too. Continue like this. -Janika
• I find myself, as I put pen to paper, at a loss -where does one begin to adequately show how grateful I am? You opened your hearts and your home. A home away from home where I could come back to after a hard day’s work (work which you so graciously found) knowing full well that this home is safeguarded by two people who I trust completely, who love what they do, and would do anything for us all who stay here. And for that I thank you! -Rob

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• We can not describe how incredible our time at Hone Heke Lodge was. We found a home away from home. And we still can’t believe that we are now leaving after 8 months – 8 months of hard word, fun, joy and happiness. Thank you for everything – especially the job opportunities, the lifts and your generosity. – Maurizio & Sandy
• Thanks for the awesome 5 months we spent here. It always felt like a home. We met so many lovely people who we will never forget. -Steffi & Steffi
• I really like your accommodation. Thank you so much. – Ryuichiro
• We had a really good time at Hone Heke Lodge. It’s a nice place with lovely people. Thank you for everything. – Paul & Maeva
• Thank you for everything. I had a wonderful stay at Hone Heke Lodge. -Aleks
• David & Victoria – just to say thanks for making my last months in New Zealand easier. What a great ambience at this hostel. -Fernanda
• Wow I never thought I would stay in a backpackers for so long. Thanks for everything. – Franklin
• I have to say thank you for everything. I really enjoyed my stay in your perfect lodge. I have met so many fantastic people -played table tennis & card games and I loved the pot luck dinner as well. The atmosphere of this place is amazing. I really appreciate all of you efforts and I will never forget the help I got. Thank you very much. -Gabor
• Once again, THANK YOU! This will always be my place when I think of my time in New Zealand. You guys are awesome in everything you do. Everyone who stays here is happy with this great hostel. -Matteo
• Thank you AGAIN for all your help and for the peaceful place of yours. I say goodbye for the second time – best hostel ever. – Tommaso

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Dear David & Victoria & family & Ginger. Wow, what can I say? A couple of days turned into a week, a week turned into a month and one month into 6 months and 3 weeks! Thank you so much for your never ending efforts to not only make this a stay but a home. Thank you for all the little and big things you’ve done to make my stay here and at word so long, worthwhile, successful, happy and unforgettable. You’re truly lovely, generous people with a big heart. I will never forget you and my stay here. -Verena
• Dear David & Victoria – This lodge has become a second home away from home over the time I have stayed here. What started with a couple of weeks turned into more than 3 months. I am glad that I came back after 5 months of travelling to stay where my journey started and to end it here. After staying in different hostels all over New Zealand I can say with absolute certainty that this working hostel is the best one I stayed in. You do a great job keeping everything tidy and making every single visitor feel welcome. This is the only hostel I have visited where I felt more than welcome. Keep being the way you are – always in a good mood, always helpful with all our small things that we need help with, finding jobs, happy to chat with us at any time, making everyone feel good about themselves. Thank you for the amazing time and experience of staying here. I will always remember you. -Johannes
• Awesome place with really nice people. Our car just died when we arrived here and everybody was really helpful and tried to make it easier for us. – Flavien
• I had such a good time here at Hone Heke Lodge. During the 7 weeks I stayed here it became a second home for me. Thank you for everything – the nice atmosphere, the jobs, the clean rooms! I can’t wait to come back. -Alicia
• Hi awesome people! Thank you for everything. -Maraela & Juan
• Dear David & Victoria. I still remember the first day I arrived here. I was tired and confused and not sure what to expect from this experience. After almost 5 months I can definitely say it was worth the while. I have met some amazing people from all over the world and I will always remember them and this amazing lodge. I will remember this place as where I got my independence – living away from home for the first time. And you guys – you helped me from the first day and always made me feel at home. THANK YOU. I will always remember you. -Matteo
• Thank you David & Victoria for all your help and hospitality. I hope I will come back again one day. -Tommaso
• Hi guys – thank you so much for all the job opportunities and being overall lovely, kind & honest people! -Ben & Tess

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• It is incredible what you have created within a few years. A place that feels like home, like a family, full of love. I admire your endless energy, patience and effort. Thank you for your support and encouragement whenever needed, for every smile and for the last 3 months. I’m grateful for coming here and being part of the Hone Heke Ldoge crew. You are beautiful people. I will never forget that. All the best. – Winnie
• I can honestly say that my time here at Hone Heke Lodge was one of the best times I had here in New Zealand. I enjoyed it so much here and met so many really nice and friendly people. You guys have the best hostel in the whole of New Zealand! I say that with confidence. Thank you. – Till
• Like most people here we wanted to stay 2 months and ended up staying 5 months! When we came to Auckland in December we didn’t know what to do or where to look for a job or where to stay. We chose your lodge and we are grateful that we made this decision. You were so kind, nice, helpful, smiley and always in a positive mood – so we were too. We met a lot of great people, made great friendships which we’ll have forever. We are happy to call Hone Heke Lodge our home. Stay golden & positive. -Katerina & Lucas
• When I first heard about your lodge I thought it would be a good place to come and find work. When I arrived I came to a hostel and now I am leaving somewhere I genuinely started calling ‘home’ in New Zealand. My 2 months turned into 4 . I made amazing friends and had amazing times. Rarely do you meet 2 people are wonderful and caring as you two. How you run this place and take care of your guests is beyond amazing. Thank you! -Rowan
• We’re leaving with the feeling that we couldn’t have found a better hostel. Safe, clean  and such a friendly place. Thank you for all your hard work you guys do every day – connecting the world is beautiful work. Keep going with what you’re doing and never lose your enthusiasm and joy. We loved this place and the people. Unforgettable. -Michaela & Ivo
• It was a great time here at Hone Heke Lodge and we enjoyed it so much. Thanks for finding us jobs and for getting us to work every day. It is a lovely atmosphere here because you always care about every single person in your hostel. -Sina & Anna
• Thank you for everything. I really like Hone Heke Lodge. – Junki
• Thank you guys so much for the hospitality and finding work for me. It’s really awesome what you guys do and it helps so many people. I wish you all the best with your hostel. -Sam
• Thank you so much for everything. I had the most comfortable bed I had in New Zealand so far! Thanks for helping me with everything. -Cornelia.
• Your hospitality here has been incredible (and your patience). Thank you so much for having me. You have given me a great, confidence boosting start to New Zealand. I’ve continue to spread your good word and will carry your wonderful energy with me as I go. Thank you. No hostel can compare. -Emma
• Thank you so much for everything. These 2 months at your lodge were beautiful. Your dedication, energy and help you give everyone is  admirable. Thanks again. -Genoveva
• Thank you so much! Great energy and beautiful people. -Gonzaolo
• When we arrived at hone Heke Lodge we came for a job but we actually found a nice place that we were happy to call home for the last 3 months. Thank you so much for your help, effort and passion that made our stay such a good one. You are great. Thank you. – Justus & Chika
• Thank you David & Victoria for the wonderful stay at your lodge. Always a positive attitude and good atmosphere. -Cory
• Thank you so much for your kindness. The help you offered us was amazing. Best hostel owners I’ve met – hands down. We had the greatest experience her and will recommend to everyone that comes to Kerikeri. Thank you. -Megan
• Thank you so much for getting us a job directly, the transport every day and for an unforgettable time at Hone Heke Lodge. Thank you for giving us a real home and family for 1 month. All the best. -Jana & Lara
• Thank you, David & Victoria, for a wonderful eight week stay at Hone Heke Lodge. Thanks for your warm welcome and for organising jobs and transport. Thanks for being there when anything went wrong. It was a pleasure to have a place where you could feel like coming home after  4 months of travelling around. -Alina
• Thank you for everything. From the beginning I felt welcome in the lodge. Thanks for getting me a job on my second day here. You give your best to everyone. And as you can tell by all the positive review, we’re all really thankful for that. You are kind hearted people and made my 3 1/2 months here wonderful. Thank you again. Keep up the good work – you have a great hostel! Awesome Hostel. Best in New Zealand! -Malin
• Thanks for everything you’ve done for us. It was such a pleasure to stay at Hone Heke Lodge and we hope to come back one day. -Taos & Gael
• Thank you for doing your job with a lot of passion, caring for people and making us feel like home. You are creating such a good place to stay in New Zealand. Hope you continue to enjoy and do this hard and beautiful work. Thanks a lot. – Matias

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• We’ve travelled for 8 months all over New Zealand. We’ve been in more than 60 places and everything was amazing in it’s own way but there was one place that we were unable to forget. Hone Heke Lodge. When we came to New Zealand, Kerike was our first destination because friends stayed here too. We fell in love with every part that defines this lodge -David & Victoria, the family like atmosphere, the busy evenings in the kitchen, free food boxes, the night sky with thousands of stars & even Ginger the cat. While travelling we always said Hone Heke Lodge was the only place that felt like home for us. That’s the reason we came back to spent our last few weeks in New Zealand here. Thank you for everything. We will never forget this place and we’ll come back one day! -Felix & Jenny
• Thanks a lot for the good time I had in your lodge. I met great people here. You are always kind and smiling. I came to stay for one night and stayed for a month and I am happy about that. Thanks again. -Aurelien
• We couldn’t wait to come back! We both started our journey here almost a year ago and there was no better way to end it than staying here again. It was awesome to meet old friend and see that other people enjoy the lodge as much as we do. Thank you David & Victoria, you made this place a beautiful part of our trip. When we saw the sign on the road we felt like we were coming home! (and yes we met here too!!!) -Nick & Martha
• Once again I had a great time in  the best hostel in New Zealand. With good friends and an awesome job I can only be truly grateful for the time I had. Thank you David & Victoria for your great hospitality and cheers to everyone who made my stay so amazing. – Jannik
• Ey up lovely David & Victoria. Thank you so so much for everything you have done for me during my time here. You have helped me immensely along my travels and you really are one in a million. It’s been a blast. Thanks. – Lois
• Thanks a lot for everything you have done for us. The last 2 months went by so quickly because we’ve been so busy thanks to you. Keep your enthusiasm and good spirits – it makes Hone Heke Lodge a special place. -Kristina & Marcel
• Thank  you so much for my time here. You’re amazing hosts and it’s a lovely hostel. -Jess
• I had 4 nice weeks at Hone Heke Lodge. I hope I will see more hostels like yours. Thanks for organising the job, for picking us up and everything. – Anja
• Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Our time here has been an unforgettable part of our journey and the memories will last a lifetime. You guys really are one in a million – it’s true. We are so grateful to have found a home away from home. Thank you for welcoming us into the Hone Heke Lodge family – what a privilege. Keep being awesome. -Arias & Rachel
• I thank you so much for welcoming me into what can be described as an amazing hostel. New Zealand is my first every solo backpacking trip and you have truly set the standards for NZ hostels. I have had a great time and without your hard work, commitment and dedication in both finding us work and taking care of the hostel, it wouldn’t have been the same. Thank you so much. -Paul
• Your hospitality knows no limits – thank you for making my mum feel so special and at home at Hone Heke Lodge. – Lucy
• Have really enjoyed staying here – a special place. -Mary
• We can’t express our gratitude for how much you’ve done for us and how welcoming you’ve made our first few months in new Zealand. We’ve had a fantastic time at the lodge and appreciated everything you’ve done for us. Thank you so much. -Nicole & Luke
• Thank you for everything. I spent almost 3 months her and time has gone by so fast. Your passion to do your work is amazing and the atmosphere here is friendly and so fantastic. You always have so much energy to help us with everything and it’s something you don’t see everywhere. This Hone Heke Lodge felt like a home to me. -Antti
• Thank you so much for a lovely time here at Hone Heke Lodge. Our time here in Kerikeri has been great and that’s because of you, David & Victoria. You have helped us to get the best possible start in our New Zealand trip. We are grateful for that. Keep up your great work – it’s truly amazing what you’re doing for everybody who stays at your lodge. -Hanna & Sara
• Thank you. Thank you! We have made some truly memorable experiences here. This place has the best energy and positive vibes. – Cara & George
• We really enjoyed our time here and hope that you will keep inventing many wonderful ideas to create a home for other backpackers. You are wonderful people. – Marc & Johnathan
• As one of the few Italians staying here in New Zealand I’m really happy to say that staying here was a real honour! I’ve made such good memories here and I will never forget this place, the people and the atmosphere you guys have created. You guys helped me so much and I’m really thankful for every single thing you’ve done for me. Keep going with your unstoppable energy. -Guilia
• I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I came for 1 month and stayed 2. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me. I really felt at home. Amazing people and really nice atmosphere. I have great memories that will stay with me forever. Thank you once again. -Ika

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• It was a great (second) time her with new people and new memories. It is just amazing what you two have built here. Awesome people and a very nice atmosphere make me feel like I’m at home. You are always there to help and care a lot about us and as a result Hone Heke Lodge is the best hostel I’ve been to and probably will ever go to. -Tim
• Our second long term stay is coming to an end now. Another 8 weeks of great atmosphere, hanging around with awesome people, playing table tennis and pool and also working hard. Thank you for helping us to find jobs and thanks for always being there if anything went wrong. It’s time to say goodbye and it was always great to stay here at HHL. You made our New Zealand stay very special and we’ll never forget it.  – Leon & Michael
• What can we say – thank you so much for the best accommodation in Aotearoa. It was my second time in this wonderful lodge. It was so great to come back and I promise it won’t be the last time. -Martin
• Thanks so much for your hospitality and it was great meeting you both and seeing Martin’s second home in New Zealand. -Michelle
• It was the best start we could have had for our New Zealand trip. We’ve got so many great memories with so many great people. You’re making an awesome job and we’re so happy we met you. Thanks for everything. We’ve got no words for how much this stay means to us. Hope to see you again. – Fabienne & Lisa
• I was based up north but for a couple of months I would come once or twice a week to this lovely place. David & Victoria always made me feel comfortable and at home. Keep it up -you’re doing great. Use your smile to change the world, don’t let the world change your smile! – Alessandro
• Thanks so much. Such a lovely place. – Emma
• Since my stay in New Zealand is coming to an end I wanted to thank you for the great time I had at Hone Heke Lodge. I really appreciate all the efforts you’re putting into this hostel. I’m pretty sure that this is one of the best hostels in New Zealand. Thank you very much! -Jan
• Thanks for the nice time I had here and all the work. I really like the hostel and the people. -Gina
• Thank you or this month spent at Hone Heke Lodge. We are more than grateful for everything you have done for us. Thank you for finding us jobs and giving us lifts and for just being nice and welcoming. Your hostel is full of great people and it has been awesome meeting and getting to know you. You are so energetic and full of life. We hope to come back. -Yuliya & Geoffrey
• You helped me so much and I really enjoyed my stay. It’s such a nice place and I never stayed anywhere longer than here. You are legends and see you again. -Luca
• Thank you for all the great jobs and thanks for all your care. We really enjoyed our time in Kerikeri and we wish you all the best. -David & Joost
• Thank you so much for everything. Thanks for having me here, helping me find jobs and all your support. It was a great time and I’m going to miss Kerikeri and your lodge. Stay safe and keep smiling. – Kat
• Thank you very much for having us to stay at your beautiful lodge. We absolutely enjoyed our 2 months her and are really glad we got to see you and your family (and Ginger the cat). All the best. – Leana & Vivi

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Thank you for everything. Can’t describe in words how wonderful it has been staying at the lodge. You two have really made this a home away from home for me over the past year. Thanks again. -Linda
• Thank you for this amazing time in your hostel. Great place, great people. Thank you for all your help and smiles. -Sophie
• Thank you. This place is amazing. Very special and you instantly feel at home. Lovely people and atmosphere. Keep up the great work. -Fanny
• You two keep a lovely hostel and your dedication shows. It’s clean, organised and everyone is respectful. You held everyone here to high standards and I love it! I’ll look back fondly on this place. -Herman
• Stayed here for 7 months. David & Victoria were extremely helpful and accommodation every step of the way. Great hostel. -Kyle
• We both loved staying at Hone Heke Lodge. David & Victoria were so friendly and helpful and the hostel was almost like a little family. We wish you all the best and thank you very much. -Chrissy & Daniel
• Just 2 nights here and I already feel at home. You have a lovely place, beautiful, useful, really clean and with amazing people. Thank you very much for all your advice and your friendliness. -Emma
• Thank you so much for everything. It was really nice to stay here. Thanks for the jobs, opportunities and for your kindness and for making us feel at home. We really enjoyed our stay at Hone Heke Lodge. Thank you. -Anna & Pierre-Yves
• It was such a pleasure to meet you and to stay at Hone Heke Lodge. This is the best hostel every and you are such great hosts. Please keep your motivation and energy. You are so lovely and helped me every time I had a problem. I really enjoyed my time here and hope to come back one day. -Lisa
• It was my second stay here at Hone Heke Lodge and it was like coming home. David & Victoria remembered me and it was so nice. My boyfriend also felt great as soon as he arrived with me. He likes David & Victoria too and understood why so many people (and I) stayed so long here. It is beautiful, cozy and has a homely atmosphere. Thank you. -Moritz & Theresa
• My second stay and still the best place in New Zealand to connect with people, find work and having fun. Thank you again. – Fritz
• I had a great time here thanks to you. You have created a very welcoming lodge here where you instantly feel at home. You really help everyone if you can which makes it even harder to leave. I hope you always keep your energy and smiles because it makes the lodge even more welcoming. – Wibke
• What an amazing home/hotel you two have. From when I spoke to you on the phone to when I arrived I felt welcomed. You two really go the extra mile and I will see you again. Thanks for everything. – Edd
• Great and wonderful place. It’s like my second home. – Ella

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Here we go – again. I just loved to be back at my favourite New Zealand hostel and spend my last 2 week at your place. I know when I leave Hone Heke Lodge today my NZ journey is over but I had a wonderful time. ‘When you come here, you will never leave’. I know many people feel the same. You created my home away from home. – Antonia
• Best working hostel in New Zealand. Great atmosphere, met a lot of inspiring people. Would always come back. Thanks for all your help. -Leon
• Mahalo so much for my amazing stay here. I love Kerikeri and Hone Heke Lodge. Will definitely be back. -Stephanie
• Your kiwi hospitality is second to none. I am so blessed and happy to have known you and stayed at your wonderful property. May you be blessed with the kindness and love you have extended. The world is a better place to live in thanks to people like you. -Sha
• This is my second time at Hone Heke Lodge and I can’t thank you enough for helping me with work  way back in March 2016 and for your hospitality every step of the way. My time in Kerikeri has been one of the brightest parts of my NZ journey and I hope to pass on the good vibes that I’ve felt here to all other backpackers. -Lewis
• Hone Heke Lodge feels like a second home to me now. The 3 months I’ve spent here were one of the best in my life. David & Victoria were so helpful and kind all the time. This is the perfect place to work. They found me one of the best jobs ever. I met a lot of local people at work, improved my English and made really good friends. When I’ll remember New Zealand, Hone Heke Lodge will always play a big role in my memories. Thank you for everything. -Selina
• I have spent about one month at Hone Heke Lodge and I really loved this place and the people. It’s not only the greatest hostel I’ve ever been to, it also has the most lovely owners, David & Victoria. So it was obvious for me to return after our 4 months of travelling with my girlfriend this time. Thank you. -Hans & Nati
• Thanks for making us feel so welcome. -Alice & Brendan
• My name is Tomas. I came to Hone Heke Lodge in December, only coming for 1 week – and 2 months later I am finally leaving! Amazing owners, great people & great weather. Thank you David & Victoria for everything you gave me -an amazing start to my New Zealand experience. -Tomas
• I told you I would leave – just it was 10 weeks after I first said! You guys have been amazing and made my stay very memorable. You should take pride in the fact that this is by far the best hostel I have stayed at in New Zealand. You have allowed me to last a little bit longer in NZ because of the work you organised. Thank you David & Victoria for everything. I has been a good craic. – Junan
• David & Victoria, lovely meeting you and thank you for making me feel so welcome. -Christopher
• It’s been an amazing 3 months with you guys. Thank you for giving me a home on the other side of the world. Living in this lodge taught me a lot. How to provide food for myself, how to find a job and how to share my home with 40 other people. This lodge is like home for me and you guys are doing such a great job from turning it from a lodge to a backpacker’s home! I met a lot of new friends here that will be friends forever. I am thankful for this place and everything you did for me. You will forever be in my heart and memories. Please keep this place going, keep your positive look on life and keep on smiling. -Lara
• You two have created a very special place. Your lodge should be a role model for other lodges. You make us feel at home here. With all your strength and passion you have created a home. The last 3 months you got me a job, a roof over my head, clean sheets and a new family. Thank you for having the standards you  have, thank you for having my back, thank you for making me compare every other hostel I go to now to this one! Thank you for everything. Keep up the good work. See you again. –Aliki
• First of all thank you for being the awesome people you are. You take such good care of this lodge and you should be very proud of the work you do here. I’m 100% sure I will never find another lodge as good as yours. I remember the first week I arrived I was really hesitant about taking the job you offered because I didn’t want to be here that long. Now I’m glad I did and I have enjoyed my time here enormously and I will miss you and this place. It truly felt like home, Keep up the good work and keep the happiness and positivity you are spreading. -Linda

 

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

Hone Heke Lodge family over Christmas & New Year 2016/17

• Thank you for giving me a home and family that I know will be carried through my travels as a place that I can always return to with open arms, Thank you for putting so much work into making this place a jewel of New Zealand and granting me choice and pleasure of experiencing such a beautiful home in a distant land. -Adam
• I had a great stay here at Hone Heke Lodge and I want to say thank you for your awesome hospitality. I’m looking forward to coming back one day. -Jannik
• Great place, amazing peoople! Thanks. -Kale
• In the 5 weeks at Hone Heke Lodge, your hostel became a second home for all of us. We felt welcome from the first day, which made it a lot easier to be on the other side of the world at Christmas & New Year’s Eve. Thank you for all the effort you put in to this hostel, for organising daily jobs almost every day, for helping us with every problem or even emergencies, for driving us to work when we didn’t have a car and so on. We hope we’ll find the time to visit you again before we fly back to Germany. All the best from the 4 boys. -Leon, Michael, Tim & Jan
• This place is awesome! Thanks for everything. -Bena, Harry & Vivien
• Absolutely amazing place. Nice people. Had a really great time. Thank you. -Jan
• Thank you for having me. What a lovely lodge. Would stay again for sure. -Abby
• This is such a beautiful place. Thank you so much for having me. -Thailita
• Almost a 4 month stay. Crazy. I never thought that I’d stay here so long. Awesome hostel with awesome people. It’s really nice and clean and a relaxing atmosphere. I had 2 jobs. Both in really nice restaurants. Thanks David & Victoria for giving me the chance to work here. – Anne
• My second time here at Hone Heke Lodge. Was just as great as the first time. It felt like coming back home. The hostel is absolutely great. David & Victoria are just amazing people. I really hope to get the chance to return some day. -Patrick
• We had a really great time here even though we only stayed for 2 nights. The staff are really friendly and helped us with all our questions. It was a  really nice end to our stay in New Zealand. -Laura & Katharina
• This hostel has been such a huge part of my New Zealand adventure. I stayed in this splendid hostel for over 5 months. So many great people and great friendships. Thanks for everything David & Victoria. -Jonas
• It was such fun to stay at your lodge for more than 3 weeks. Thank you for your great help to get jobs & organising other things for us. We made so many new friends here -some who we will meet again in Germany. Hope to come back to Hone Heke Lodge again one day. Thank you again. -Ole & Moritz
• Even if I stayed just a short time I really enjoyed my time here at Hone Heke Lodge. It’s so nice to see you interact so nicely with all your guests. Thank you for the nice time. Hope to see you again. -Nina
• We arrived at the hostel by chance, by bumping into 2 of your guests while hitch-hiking to Cape Reinga. What was supposed to be a 1 night stay ended up as a 3 night stay. We absolutely love this place. Wonderful people, magical vibe, so clean and pretty. It felt like a bubble out of time. Thank you so much for everything and we wish you a lot of happiness that you deserve.-Danielle & Lynik
• Awesome place. – Kristian
• We can’t believe it’s out turn to write in this book now. It feels like yesterday when we arrived here – all messed up and desperately looking for help. Look at us now – we made it! We came here  with literally nothing, and leave with everything. You didn’t just help us to get us a job, you gave us a home, somewhere we least expected it to  be. You gave us a family that let all our homesickness disappear. We are so glad to call Kerikeri our second home. Thank you for making our last 2 months so special for us. Thank you for making us feel safe. Thank you for on of the best NZ experiences. Stay amazing! -Ronak & Hue
• The cleverness and work ethic that I have gained here is insurmountable to any knowledge I have gained anywhere else. The feeling of belonging to something more than myself, a feeling, a yearning to help others grasped hold of me when I see you, David & Victoria, working constantly day and night with children of your ow and making sure everyone is pleased and has work for the day. As well as a ride and more work that I could ever imagine. You have allowed me to find such a peace and ease while being away from my family. I know that when I leave this lodge I will carry this peace with me and spread it far and wide. Your love for this lodge is ever bounding and it shows through the people here. -Adam
• Thank you guys for everything. I really enjoyed these past 3 months. You always try to make everyone feel welcome and at home and you succeed in doing so! I spent my first birthday, Christmas and New Years without my family (and in a foreign country) but with you guys and everybody else at Hone Heke Lodge I never felt lonely or homesick. So thank you guys so much! I can’t thank you enough. You are amazing. Stay the way you are and continue what you’re doing and you’re going to make so many other people happy and give them a home away from home. I will never forget my stay here! Wishing you all the best for the future. -Josephine
• Dear Victoria & David! Very big thank you for the awesome time here. I stayed here 4 weeks and had such a wonderful time. I came back to celebrate Christmas at Hone Heke Lodge because it’s a lovely and peaceful place here. I wish you only the best for the future and also for your lovely kids. Take care. – Daniel

• What a great few weeks I have spent here! Thank you for everything. I have loved being part of this wonderful community at Hone Heke Lodge. -Erin

• We stayed her for almost 3 months and during this time Hone Heke Lodge became a real home for us. It was great to be part of this warm hostel life and we are totally impressed with how helpful you are – especially with finding work. We really enjoyed the organised Halloween & Christmas parties. Probably we will not find any other hostel which is as cool as this one. We hope to return at some point of our trip. Thank you for everything. – Jenny & Felix

• Thank you for the amazing time we had here and that you took care of us all the time. We are very thankful that you found jobs for us. We met great people and found a little family here. Be are you are – friendly & lovable. -Caro & Lena

• After desperately looking for a backpackers we ended up here. It turned out to be the best stay we ever had and probably ever will have. After 10 weeks of staying here we are leaving with mixed feelings On the one hand we are starting to travel through the country (we are excited about that!) – on the other hand we are leaving our family here and our ‘home away from home’. Maybe we will return at some point but for now we want to thank David & Victoria for the wonderful hospitality, the jobs and help whenever we needed it! -Stephan & Theresa

• Fabulous place! Feel sad to leave! Shame I couldn’t have stayed longer! Thanks for making me feel so welcome and for all your help and advice! – Anna

• Thanks for hosting us – it was a great stay! All the best to you. – Alex & Jenny

• Our car broke down and we were told by Auto One (awesome people too!) that it couldn’t be saved. The manager there called Hone Heke Lodge and the owners came and picked us up 5 minutes later and took us to the hostel with all our gear. Both owners were so kind and wanted to do all they could to help us. David even drove my girlfriend to the airport at 6am!! Only good things will come these people’s way! All the best for you! -Kristina & Rasmus
• Thanks heaps for making my stay at Hone Heke Lodge so pleasant. I’ve enjoyed staying here in Kerikeri. It’s a lovely spot and this lodge is probably one of the best backpackers I’ve stayed in so far in New Zealand. My time here was short but I could have definitely stayed longer. I’ll highly recommend this place to others and I’d love to come back -that’s for sure. Thank you! -Christiane
• Massive thanks for these past few months (4 months!). I’ve had a wonderful time here. Everyday (every single day!) I saw how much hard work your family put in to make this place work – you’re such good, strong people. This is the best place I have ever stayed at and the atmosphere is great! Thank you for all the lifts to and from work and for being such generous people. The thought of leaving this place makes me a bit anxious but at least I leave with good memories! Together with the rest of the Hone Heke Lodge family you’ve made my stay here UNFORGETABLE! -Jonathan

• I will never be able to thank you enough for this David & Victoria. Thank you, for arguably, the best experience I have ever had, Thank you for helping with work and for giving me a  safe place to sleep in a foreign land. All these things add up to something I will miss very much and something I will look back upon with great joy & fondness. So, thank you. Thank you for giving this ordinary boy from far up north the best home away from home that I could have asked for. -Joakim

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• I want to thank everybody at Hone Heke Lodge (especially David & Victoria) for making my 8 weeks stay as pleasant as possible. This place is a special little place in New Zealand and I will never forget my time here! Hone Heke Lodge has got a special place in my heart. ‑ Bart
• Thank you for everything you have done for me. I had a cool and amazing time here. ‑ Tim
• Thank you very much for the nice place to stay and for the information and the phone calls to make sure we had a place to stay the nice next too! It’s such a nice place here. ‑ Wanda & Verona
• Thank you for all your help and thanks for taking care of us! Hone Heke Lodge was one of the best part in New Zealand. We stayed here 4 weeks and had an amazing and lovely time. Thanks for everything!! ‑ Christina & Lukas
• Thank you so much for the 4 weeks we spent in your amazing hostel! You two were the best hosts we ever had! Thank you so much for taking care of us. Best wishes. ‑ Zoe & Lea
• At the end of my stay at Hone Heke Lodge I just want to say thank you to David & Victoria for providing this amazing place as well as their work and effort they put into this hostel in order to make sure that everyone has a great experience. I will cherish the memories of every day I spent here during my 7 weeks I lived and worked in Kerikeri. I am grateful for all the amazing people I met and all of the friends I made here. Thank you very much for everything! ‑ Philipp

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Hone Heke Lodge is probably one of the best backpackers in New Zealand. We stayed 3 weeks and enjoyed every single day. David and Victoria are great hosts and helped us find a job and all other things. Thanks for the great time. – Steffen & Niklas
• Thank you David & Victoria for taking care of us, providing us with such a nice and clean place to stay and also for finding us jobs! In our 8 weeks we had a really lovely time here. Thanks for everything. – Charleen & Laureen
• Such a lovely warm and welcoming place after coming off the Te Araroa trail wet and exhausted. – Claire
• The best hostel I’ve ever been to! Thank you so much for picking me up when I lost my purse and thank you for being awesome in general. I really enjoyed my stay here. Maybe we’ll see each other again. – Sunny
• This hostel is really good. Every time I’ve been here it has been a really good time. It’s always clean and tidy. Thanks to David & Victoria always helping out if you need something. – Max

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation

• I stayed here for almost 4 weeks and I have had an amazing time here and met a lot of awesome people during my time. I wish the best for you guys and keep you the great work you do here with your hostel – it’s just the best place to stay! – Patrick
• I really enjoyed my stay at your hostel. Really nice rooms – and big! When I come back I will definitely stay at your hostel again. – Jette
• We had a really great time here! We met so many nice people here and had a lot of fun. We will definitely come back. – Angela & Carolin
• Best lodge so far! Really nice people and great atmosphere. Very nice rooms. Feels like home here. Thanks for everything. – Anna & Jakob
• I stayed in your lodge for 5 weeks and I enjoyed my time here. Because of you I had a great and easy start to my time here in New Zealand. Thanks for everything. – Nina
• I stayed here for 4 days but I can already say that this place is full of good vibes! Thank you for your hospitality. – Julia
• Te Araroa walker on my way. Had a lovely rest day here. – Hanna
• First time I travelled to Kerikeri. Really nice accommodation and facilities at Hone Heke Lodge. Enjoyed my stay. – Thomas
• Awesome spot. Thanks for a great stay. – Tom
• Had a great time again in this hostel. Thank you David & Victoria – you are always like parents who care for us and help us. See you again! – Lisa
• What a fabulous place for so many reasons. Loved meeting you all. – Dave

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• It was a lovely stay.Victoria & David are very kind and generous human beings and the atmosphere here is simply amazing. Hope to stay again soon. ‑ Bella
• The first weeks are never easy but with your help our adventure started much easier than we thought it would. Thanks for the opportunity to meet cool people, sit next to a fire in the evening, cook delicious meals, save money, play pool & table tennis -all the things that made us happy the last few weeks. Keep on doing a great job! Thanks for everything. ‑ Franzi, Michelle & Jennny
• So sad to leave! After having spent 11 months in NZ my time here at Hone Heke Lodge was definitely one of the best memories during my travels in this beautiful country. You guys are the friendliest hosts I’ve had in NZ and this hostel is definitely my favourite one in NZ – especially if you stay long term. See you soon again – hopefully. ‑ Carolin
• Dear David & Victoria, I can’t say thank you enough for giving me a home when I most need it. I ad a great 7 month stay here at Hone Heke Lodge. I appreciate all the wonderful things you have both done. I am grateful for your hospitality and unbending kindness to me and everyone else. Thank you for all your efforts, for making sure that I had a comfortable, clean, safe and friendly place to call home for the last 7 months.‑ Nateeh
• We really enjoyed staying in your lodge, Victoria & David. It’s a pity that we couldn’t stay longer but maybe we’ll come back. We met a lot of people, really great people, that we will never forget. New Zealand is just beautiful – we realised this when we stayed here! ‑ Wanda & Janici
• Thank you for the nice room. We really enjoyed our stay. Thank you for running this amazing hostel. When you arrive, you really wish to stay longer. ‑ Matteo & Fabian
• I had a blast here. Lots of great people and a fun atmosphere. I’ll definitely be back. ‑ Spencer
• We are very sad to leave Hone Heke Lodge (for the second time). Such a great hostel which has been our home for the past few months. Dave & Victoria, thank you for everything! We will miss it here. ‑ Hannah & Jack
• Thanks for the warm, dry & lovely room. Onwards to Bluff. ‑ Anthonie (Have fun doing the Te Araroa trail)
• I really enjoyed my time here. Great and friendly atmosphere. Thanks so much for everything. Best Luck! ‑ Lukas
• Only stayed for 2 nights but there is an amazing atmosphere here. If I had of been looking for long term accommodation Hone Heke Lodge would have been my number one choice for sure! ‑ Wieke
• 2 beauty nights. Taking a break on the Te Araroa Trail. Thanks to the team and Hone Heke lodge for the welcome & chat. (Good luck with the rest of the trail! Send us a picture from the end). ‑ Scott
• Had a wonderful stay here at Hone Heke Lodge. Great atmosphere and lovely people. ‑ Bart
• Round two after 10 months was even better! Thanks to David & Victoria for everything! ‑ Brendan
• I have been here just a couple of days but it really feels like being a part of a family. You are the most helpful people I’ve met. So really thank you for everything. I wish you all the best. ‑ Rita
• Thank you for a lovely stay -much appreciated after sleeping in a tent for so long. We are now continuing the long walkway Te Araroa. Thanks again and all the best. ‑ Marlies & Kullihe
• Dear David & Victoria – your lovely hostel was such a pleasure. We enjoyed every minute in Kerikeri and it’s largely thanks to your help and guidance. All the best. ‑ Israel & Sheli
• Now it’s time to say goodbye. We have to say goodbye to all the friends we made here, to the wonderful lodge and to the friendly and helpful owners David & Victoria. We will miss this place so much because it was our second home for more than 4 weeks. We couldn’t have started our journey better than here! It was perfect. Thank you very much! ‑ Ronja & Yasmin
• Dear David & Victoria -we had a great stay here. Thanks for helping us with so many things. It’s a great place here and it is also because of you guys. Hope to see you guys again. All the best. ‑ Harriet & Fredi
• Sweet David & Victoria -thank you for 2 wonderful weeks. Your hostel is amazing and you can feel at home here. I wish you all the best. ‑ Laura
• My sister and I felt homesick when we first arrived in New Zealand so this hostel was perfect to settle in because we felt at home here. The atmosphere was really nice and the people welcomed you with open arms. If we have time we will definitely come back. Thanks for everything and stay as you are! ‑ Mareile & Fini
• Best hostel we’ve been to so far! Very lovely place. We used the awesome kitchen quiet often. It was a really nice week. Thank you for the help to find a job. We hope to come back again. Thank you for everything. ‑ Julius & Alesseo
• I’ve been here for 3 weeks and it’s such a great place. After the dirty hostels in Auckland I came to a clean, tidy & pretty lodge! I will miss the people I met here. Thank you for everything, David & Victoria! ‑ Vincent
• Dear David & Victoria, We’ve been here for about 4 weeks and Hone Heke Lodge has been our first real stop in New Zealand. We are so glad we got here! Saying thank you isn’t enough – you showed us the nice attitude of New Zealand people which everybody told us about. Stay as you are as you’re doing a great job! Hopefully we’ll come back one day! ‑ Pauli, Henne & Franzi
• Home in Northland. I would move in permanently if I could! Plenty of great memories. Going to miss this place more than I miss my real home. Maybe this is my real home! Glad to have come and gone, come and gone and come and gone and every time be welcomed back with smiles. ‑ Tyler
• Wished we could have stayed longer! The nicest & cleanest hostel we’ve stayed in. Great homely atmosphere, surrounded by lovely people! Hope to see you again one day. ‑ Jade & Elijah
• Thank you so much for making our stay so great! Thanks to you we found a job and met amazing people and we have lovely memories of Northland! Maybe we’ll come back after Vanuatu if we need to find another job because we felt really at home here! ‑ Kevin & Emilie
• Dear David & Victoria. Thank you for the nice and homely stay! We will hopefully come back! ‑ Ella & Anna
• Thank you for the great time here. You helped us to find our first job in New Zealand and we will come back. ‑ Patrick & Silas
• One of the most beautiful place for backpackers to relax & enjoy the lovely beds! Thanks for everything. ‑ Paul & Denise
• Thank you for your lovely place. I only stayed one night but I enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. Take care. ‑ Fabien
• We had a great stay here for one night! Thank you and hopefully we’ll see you again. ‑ Josephine, Karl, Basti & Felix
• Thank you for your help in finding a job and for the lovely stay here. We hope to come back and see you again. ‑ Marieke & Julian
• Thank you for the wonderful days. Lovely place. ‑ Rebecca
• I was travelling through Kerikeri and due to a friend’s recommendation stayed for one night. Such a cool and wonderful place. By far the nicest I would say. It was so wonderful I stayed one more night. I am sure I will miss the place and the cool people I met. -Dharneesha (first guest from Sri Lanka)
• Second time here at this hostel. Really great place. I’ll be back. Thanks everyone – great people. ‑ Spencer
• Really enjoyed my stay here. Nice and relaxed atmosphere & super clean! Thanks David & Victoria for all your help with the work. All the best. ‑ Tom
• Thanks for the great time here! Your hostel is a beautiful place with great atmosphere. I would come back every time! ‑ Christoph
• We really enjoyed our night here. For the first time we could eat here with other people like us and it was yummy! Thanks Victoria & David for everything. We will come back! ‑ Anna & Lucas

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• I had a great time here. Thank you so much. Arrived in NZ 25th January. Last week I lost everything (when hitching a man took off with my things in his car) – money, passport, clothes -but I didn’t give up my journey. Yesterday I continued to Cape Reinga yesterday because of you (Thanks Charles from Great Sights). It was so nice. I’m happy. Thanks a lot. ‑ Mamoru
• Thanks for the lovely time here. It is a really nice and calm place to be. ‑ Ondrej & Adela
• The 4 months I have spent here were awesome! I’m sure I will come back and see you again. You are amazing!! ‑ Erika
• Although we only spent one night here it was very nice. The beds are very comfortable and the whole room is inviting. Moreover the staff were very friendly. Thank you for having us. ‑ Natalia & Alanis
• Thank you so much for the wonderful stay. We enjoyed every minute of it. ‑ Maya & Lydia
• Thank you for an unforgettable 3 months. I came looking for one night and spent more than 3 months. It was a very cosy and friendly place to be in winter. I’ll probably come back in summer! Thank you David & Victoria for the work you do every day to keep this place clean and comfortable. Best wishes for the future. ‑ Tania
• Thank you for the nice 3 days I was allowed to stay here. Nice hostel, super friendly people and maybe the most comfortable beds on the North Island! ‑ Kat
• This was my second stay at Hone Heke Lodge and I’m sure I will be back soon. Once again, thanks to David & Victoria for making the stay so comfortable and helping me find work! ‑ Max
• It feels like I have been here forever….I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay here and it saddens me to leave – so much so that I have a feeling I will be back in the near future. I challenge you to find a better hostel. ‑ Josh
• Had an awesome sleep – thank you so much! ‑ Jane
• Thank you very much for your welcome and your help. This backpackers is really friendly and nice. You do a great job! We feel like we are in a big family. All the best for Hone Heke Lodge and for you. ‑ Lauriane
• Thank you so much for your help and getting me a job. I had a great time! ‑ Lisa
• Thank you for a nice week. It’s so awesome here. We enjoyed the time here. I will miss your cat. You’re amazing guys! Thanks. ‑ Chiara
• Thank you so much for the great stay. I really enjoyed it. I had a great time. ‑ Moritz
• Lovely hostel. Even though we only stayed for one night it was great. Friendly people. Amazing & welcoming owners. Thank you. ‑ Miriam & Sophie
• It was a pleasure to be here a second time. The hostel is still the best one in NZ!! Thanks again David & Victoria. Hopefully see you a third time. ‑ Tom
• Thank you for a great week here in this awesome hostel. ‑ Julian
• Thank you for you nice welcoming atmosphere. ‑ Annika
• Thank you for an amazing time and making me feel so welcome. Thanks for everything – it’s been an amazing experience. The people here are so nice and it’s really tough to leave now. ‑ Conor
• Thank you for a lovely stay here. Would have loved to be here longer. Very clean and a friendly atmosphere! ‑ Nicole
• Only one night stop over on our road trip but a good one! Love the space in the dorms. Cheers. ‑ Sylvain
• Best hostel I’ve been in yet. ‑ Shauna
• Thank you for a lovely 2 week stay! Very clean and friendly hostel! ‑ Alice
• Thank you for a nice time here. I had some awesome experiences and met some really nice people. Thank you for the cleanliness. ‑ Teresa
• Cozy hostel. Really quiet here so you will have a good night’s sleep. Friendliest staff ever. ‑ Carolin
• The 4 months that I spent here were awesome! I’m sure I will come back here and see you again. You are amazing! ‑ Erika
• Great and clean hostel – excellent service and hospitality. Best working hostel I’ve ever been to. This place is great and I’ve enjoyed being here a lot! ‑ Max

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• This hostel is an amazing place. Thanks for your hospitality and your help with everything. I’ve had such a great time staying here in the last 2 months with a lot of fun and awesome people. Cheers for that. ‑ Tom
• Thanks for your service and hospitality. Ideal venue for us and was very cozy. ‑ Hibiscus Coast ACF
• Wonderful place full of wonderful people. Will be back for sure. ‑ Natasha
• Over the last 2 months this hostel has become a home away from home for me. A bit thank you for your hospitality and to all the amazing people that helped make this such a great place to stay! ‑ Max
• Lovely hostel. Nice and quiet in the evenings so could get a good night’s sleep! Thank you!! (well done on completing the TA trail – and for a great cause! Hats off to you both!) ‑ Carl & Adele
• Thank you for a lovely night’s sleep. Very comfortable. ‑ Miranda
• Very clean and warm hostel. Everything was perfect. I will miss my time here and will come back if I am in Kerikeri again. Very comfortable beds! ‑ Martin
• I really enjoyed staying here. If I come back to Kerikeri I will definitely choose this hostel. Thank you! ‑ Juan
• Lovely hostel -clean and comfy. Great rooms and nice staff! 🙂
• Thank you – we have had a great time. The facilities are really good and we had a great stay. ‑ Girls from Sydenham Pre-school
• Thank you.I had a lovely stay here. It’s a beautiful hostel in a beautiful city. I enjoyed my stay here! ‑ Anton
• I really enjoyed my time here. Really nice place to relax & meet cool & friendly people. ‑ Sonja
• Very cozy and nice hostel with friendly staff. Thank you very much for everything. ‑ Laura
• Had an incredible 3 months here, thanks so much for everything! One of the most amazing hostels you will ever stay at! Thanks so much. ‑ Craig
• Thank you for having me stay in this nice place. ‑ Phillip
• I wanna say thank you to stay in this beautiful hostel. I enjoyed my time so much. The staff were really friendly and you always would come for even a small thing. I definitely will come back on my next trip to New Zealand. ‑ Miriam
• Nice hostel, I wish I came here earlier. Nice people. I like the free kiwifruits. Awesome! I hope I ill revisit next time in Kerikeri! ‑ Wanyee
• With no doubt, the best hostel I have ever stayed in. Thankyou very much. ‑ Bruno
• Great place, great people, would definitely come back! Thank you! ‑ Jessie
• Here is one of the best backpackers in New Zealand. It was a difficult decision to leave here, even after staying for 4 months. I was so happy here. Thankyou for everything! ‑ Akiko
• Perfect spot for a bunch of rowdy netball stars! Staff are lovely, rooms are comfy and setting is beautiful. Thank you! ‑ Hibiscus Coast Netball Rep Team, year 7, 8 and 9
• Very nice cosy hostel with a beautiful waterfall nearby. Had a pleasant stay. ‑ Jan
• Thanks for our amazing stay here in your lovely hostel. We loved every second that we spent here! We wish you all the best! And we will recommend your hostel to everyone and every backpacker we will speak to in our last days here! ‑ Carsten & Irma
• Very lovely hostel with a very nice team! I felt it was almost like home! I was very happy here. Thankyou very much for everything. -Dominik
• From South island to kerikeri. Many thanks for a state of the arts visit. Rated 100%! ‑ Anne
• Had a fantastic stay. Thank you! ‑ Max and Mario
• This place is awesome. The covering managers did a fab job. Really down to earth, helpful and honest. Definitely the best backpackers lodge so far! Feel I am leaving too early but I have appointments I can’t change! ‑ Geraldine
• We’ve had such a great couple of months staying at Hone Heke. You are all immensely helpful with finding us work and really made the hostel feel like a home away from home. Will definitely be telling others we meet to come here and we will hopefully be back soon! ‑ Jack & Hannah
• Lovely hostel, Jodie and Adam were absolutely lovely, so kind, thanks a million. -Noreen

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• My time here at Hone Heke Lodge has been so incredible. The hostel and the people have been amazing and I’m truly sad to leave. Thank you so very much David & Victoria. You are both doing a great job. You both not only provide accommodation but also a homely and friendly place to live. Thank you for always going above and beyond to help. ‑ Leah
• This is my first time at a working hostel and I’m confident I won’t find a better one. Thank you David & Victoria for always going the extra mile. I will miss this place and hope our paths cross again. Much appreciation. ‑ Philip
• Thank you very much! We didn’t stay that long because we were running out of time but we enjoyed our stay with you! Nice people and very kind owners. We love the ‘vibe’ here. ‑ Orianne & Karina
• I really enjoyed the stay in Kerikeri and the lodge. You live in a beautiful country! I love it. Thank you for your hospitality and the daily rides to work. I will recommend you. ‑ Wolfgang
• Thank you David & Victoria. It was a wonderful experience staying in your beautiful lodge. It already felt like home after just 3 weeks. ‑ Florian
• Thank you David & Victoria for your support. When we first came here we felt very lost but you helped us to feel at home in New Zealand. Thanks. ‑ Carolin & Annika
• Thank you so much for the great time in your hostel! It was great and we felt at home. You are doing an amazing job. We would like to come back soon. ‑ Marie & Lisa
• Had a great stay at Hone Heke Lodge. Keep up the good work guys. Thanks for everything. ‑ Thomas & Simone
• Cosy backpackers. Clean and friendly. Thank you! ‑ Iveta
• Thank you so much for everything and all your effort. I had a great time here and it felt like home. You are doing a great job. I wish you all the best. ‑ Juliane
• Awesome time here in Kerikeri. Met some amazing people from all over the world and got to see New Zealand for the first time. Hope to come back and make more memories. ‑ Laura
• We have had the best time here at Hone Heke Lodge. It has felt like home for the last few months. David & Victoria, you have both been great. Thanks for helping us get jobs and making us feel so welcome. You are a lovely family. Good luck for the future. You are doing a great job. ‑ Jenna & Nicola
• We want to say thank you. Thank you for getting us a job and driving us to work everyday. Thanks to you we met a lot of amazing people here at Hone Heke Lodge. It was one of our best times in New Zealand. We miss this place already. ‑ Valerie
• It was the first time we stayed in a hostel more than 2 days in our 8 month journey. It was a really nice and important part of our trip. Thank you. ‑ Carsten
• Such a nice cozy place. ‑ Emily
• Thanks for the good time. ‑ Julia
• Thank you for this nice place to stay, work, chill and enjoy in Kerikeri. Clean, friendly, family – just a good mix to help you feel at home. ‑ Mathieu
• Thank you for everything. This is a magical place and you guys have made it this way. ‑ Eliza
• Just wanted to say thank you. We had an amazing time here, met great people and are excited to come back one day. This is literally the best hostel backpackers could ever ask for. Thanks and see you soon. ‑ Patrick, Jens & Anian
• Don’t come here, you never want to leave again. Awesome stay! Great hosts! I will come back. ‑ Robin
• I just want to say thank you. It was amazing to live here in your beautiful lodge for nearly a month. I definitely want to come back again. You are a lovely family and I wish you all the best. ‑ Antnonia

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation – May 2016

• I really enjoyed my 5 weeks here at Hone Heke Lodge. I will miss the hostel and all the great people here. You are doing and amazing (full time, 7 days a week) job!  Thank you for all your help with the job searching and thanks for the great time. ‑ Jonathan
• Thank you so much for everything. Hone Heke Lodge is the best hostel I have stayed in New Zealand. David & Victoria are amazing. You guys are always friendly to me. Hopefully I’ll come back next summer! ‑ Megumi
• Great stay at Hone Heke Lodge! Last Sunday we had a wonderful international cuisine day at the hostel. I would definitely recommend this hostel and all of it’s staff!! ‑ Kean
• Was my first month alone away from home and this hostel made me feel like home. I met really nice people here that I will never forget. Victoria & David, thanks a lot for everything. I really wished I could stay longer. ‑ Matilde
• 5 awesome weeks I’ve spent at Hone Heke Lodge. I’ve met great people and David & Victoria are the coolest hosts. I will never forget this time because it was definitely one of the most important points of my journey so far. Keep it up guys! I hope to come back because you are doing a great job. ‑ Fabian
• Wow – we have been here a long time! Can’t believe that we are actually leaving. It has been such an amazing 4ish months and we couldn’t possibly thank you enough for all your help and support with finding jobs and acclimatising to real life in New Zealand. We will certainly be back to pester you again next season and wish you both continuing success with your beautiful hostel. ‑ Lauren & Marcus
• I really enjoyed the time I spent here. It’s a nice hostel and I met a lot of nice people here. Thank you very much. ‑ Anne
• We just stayed one night but we had a really good sleep. Everything is nice and clean and the owners are so friendly. Thanks. ‑ Jessica & Kathi
• Just two nights here and we’re already in love with this place. The rooms are the best we’ve ever staying in and the way you are running things is simply beautiful. Thank you so much. ‑ Henniette & Lilli
• Really enjoyed the laid back atmosphere at the lodge. It was a good place to live and work for almost two months. Thank and lots of luck running the lodge in the future. ‑ Maarten
• Very nice place to stay! Thanks for all the successful effort to finding work for everyone. ‑ Tero
• Very high standard of a hostel. A very comfortable stay. Good for working and living. Thanks guys for all the jobs. ‑ Brendan
• It’s been more than 2 months now and I can’t believe we are leaving. It was a great time and we really felt like home. Thanks for getting us all the jobs and stuff like that. Hopefully see you again someday. ‑ Timur & Nico
• I enjoyed my time here. Thank you to wonderful Victoria & David. ‑ Jessica
• I can’t write much as I am coming back! ‑ Lewis
• Thank you for a comfy bed, nice welcome and smiles, being kind. for the (free) kiwifruit, great facilities. This is absolutely lovely. I feel great and fresh. ‑ Hye-Jong
• Thank you for the accommodation. ‑ Dita
• I’ve stayed 5 week and really enjoyed it. Almost felt like home. Thank you for everything. ‑ Mariel
• Super people. super organisation, super clean, super lucky. We had a job for the time we stayed. Thanks. ‑ Lucile
• You guys are so amazing. So glad we found this hostel. It has become our home away from home. Loved the communal areas. My dorm room was so comfy. The lift to work was amazing. ‑ Imogen
• I had a great time here at Hone Heke Lodge. I stayed for 2 weeks and met a lot of people. It really was a temporary home for me with a cool and nice family. Thanks. ‑ Elisa
• Thank you for the awesome environment here at Hone Heke Lodge. I looked forward to coming back every night. The beds and duvets are warm and comfy and I felt safe here! Best wishes. ‑ Jaime
• I really enjoyed my stay at Hone Heke Lodge. I met so many amazing people and had so many laughs. It really did start to feel like home. Thank you for everything!!! ‑ Charlotte
• Thank you for the nice time I had at Hone Heke Lodge. I really enjoyed my stay and if I have time I will come back. Thanks for the organisation and the nice room and kitchen area. I met a lot of wonderful people here. Thank you. ‑ Danjana
• Thank you David & Victoria for creating such a homely place and yet maintaining a high standard hostel. Starting with finding me a job, giving me helpful tips and driving me to the bus stop when I needed. Will definitely recommend for future visitors. Thank you. ‑ Lilach
• You guys are awesome! Thank you for all that you have done for us -getting us to work etc. We arrived here last September as New Zealand rookies and leave now as hardened veterans. Your hostel and the people are awesome. We really hope you guys keep it up and we will continue our journey with unforgettable memories about this place! We will keep on telling everyone to stay here and enjoy New Zealand. This is definitely the best hostel! ‑ Malte & Jorge
• Thank you so much for the nice time in Hone Heke Lodge. David & Victoria you have the best place I’ve ever been to in this country. Happy to chose you as my last stop in New Zealand. Thank you. ‑ Yanira

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• You guys are awesome. Thank you for your help and for really nice hospitality. Met so many nice people here. Perfect place to be in Kerikeri! ‑ Isabel
• Thanks for having us again. Short but sweet! ‑ Beth
• Thank you so much for your hospitality a second time! ‑ David
• Thanks for the nice time I spent at your hostel. It was always nice, clean and tidy! I wish you all the best! ‑ Fritz
• Thank you so much for everything. I really appreciate it and miss you already. ‑ Bee
• Thank you so much for everything! It’s been the perfect little home from home. We will miss you all so much! Especially the early morning rides to work getting us ready for the day. Keep up the great work! You’re making lots of people’s journeys extra special. Lots of love. ‑ Stevie & Sina
• Hi David & Victoria. Thanks a lot for everything. It was such a fab time. Thanks for being so helpful, funny and kind-hearted. I will never forget Hone Heke Lodge and it’s lovely people. #Good vibes. Keep on rocking like this. All the best. ‑ Nora
• Thank you so much for the great time in your hostel. It was like a second home for me and you did everything to make sure all the people have a great time in Kerikeri. I will miss it. Thank you for everything. ‑ Lisa
• Unfortunately just one night in this beautiful hostel. Thanks a million. We will recommend this place. ‑ Jenni & Seb
• Thanks for our second amazing time in this hostel. We are really going to miss our home at the end of the world and will definitely come back some day. Victoria & David, you do a great job! Now that we’ve been travelling through New Zealand we can say that this hostel was the best! ‑ Katharina & Christopher
• We really enjoyed staying at Hone Heke Lodge! The last 6 week here were fun and we had an awesome time here. David & Victoria created a nice hostel where you feel like home and they try their best to get everyone a job. ‑ Dorothee & Sina
• My journey is ending where it started – here at Hone Heke Lodge. Not only did David & Victoria give me the chance to travel NZ (by finding me a job) they put so much effort and energy into the hostel and they also created a comfort zone where you feel at home. The atmosphere is always nice. I couldn’t find any other hostel like this one. They are helping wherever they can – guests are not just a customer here -they always care. ‑ Alex
• It is time to leave Hone Heke Lodge after 4 months here. I have spent so long in one hostel and it feels like I am leaving my second home. I have made so many friends here that I am sure I will meet again in the future. Over the past two years of Hone Heke Lodge under David & Victoria’s management they have made this more than a hostel. You won’t meet anyone at any other hostel that will do their upmost (and beyond) to find you work and be there as a friend. Appreciate what you have here people – you are at the best hostel in New Zealand! I’ll be back. ‑ Adam
• Hone Heke Lodge is the best hostel I ever stayed in. After 2 days they found me a job and it really feels like home. I will miss all the people and friends here. David & Victoria are doing a great job and are the nicest people ever. Thank you. ‑ David
• Thanks for the lovely 2 weeks at Hone Heke Lodge. It was a great time here again. Hone Heke Lodge is the best hostel in New Zealand! I spent 7 weeks here in total and will miss it so much. The story ends where the story began. I have one home in Germany and a second home here now! ‑ Maria
• I have been here twice and will definitely come back. Thank you for being that nice – you and your place are amazing and I’ll recommend it! Here it is like a family. See you in a few weeks. ‑ Margo
• I loved my 4 week stay here! It feels like another home at the other end of the world and I will definitely come back! I’m so happy to have found a family at Hone Heke Lodge and David & Victoria do an amazing job to make us feel at home. Thanks. ‑ Margarita
• Thanks for the great stay. I really enjoyed my time! ‑ Pauline
• I am in New Zealand for half a year now and I have never been in such a nice, clean hostel. David & Victoria, thank you for all your help and enjoyment. Wish you all the best. ‑ Johanna

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Thank you so much for all of your help and kindness. You have a really special thing going on here and I am honoured to have been part of it. ‑ Ryla
• What an amazing lodge! These are the first words that came to mind when thinking of my stay here. I really felt like I was at home here and with the other backpackers we form a true big family. I was told that the kiwis were welcoming but I never expected so much enthusiasm, consideration and patience from you! You are AMAZING people. ‑ Tom
• Thank you David & Victoria for this amazing place and your kindness. I enjoyed my stay in Hone Heke Lodge and I didn’t expect to feel so sad about leaving. It’s not a hostel you built, it’s a home and a big family! Wish you all the best and keep going -you are amazing! ‑ Leo
• Great night. Really comfy. Thanks. ‑ Peres
• We had a great time here! ‑ Nils & Wiebke
• Wonderful place. Helpful people. Hoping to come back one day. Thanks. ‑ Iwein
• Hope the BBQ went well. Congratulations on 2 years! We loved your hostel! ‑ Utah ladies
• I am so pleased I came back here to close off my year in New Zealand. The last couple of months have been amazing. I’ve made some unforgettable friends and memories. I can’t thank David & Victoria enough. Whenever I remember back on my time in New Zealand I will think of this place. All the best. ‑ George
• Thank you for this amazing stay in your hostel. When I arrived here I didn’t imagine that I would have just the best time here. You are so nice and lovely and I really enjoyed it here with you. I hope we meet again! ‑ Lukas
• Thank you for everything . I’ve never been to such an awesome hostel like this. I will miss all these amazing people and friends. I had a fantastic and unforgettable time here. All the best for you guys!! ‑ Nils
• Thank you so much! I really enjoyed it and will definitely see you again. ‑ Jane
• Thank you so much. It’s the best backpackers in New Zealand! Very chilled, dorms are very nice. It’s clean. Perfect! The place to be in Kerikeri! ‑ Celia
• Thank you. Excellent hosts. ‑ Maureen
• Many thanks. Will be back. ‑ Doug
• Excellent. We had everything we needed -and more! ‑ David & Janet
• Wonderful. ‑ Roberta
• Great place. ‑ Margaret
• Thank you for your great welcome. You deserved your award for hospitality. ‑ Peta
• Today is finally the day for us to say goodbye. We called Hone Heke Lodge our HOME from 13th December until now. It was the perfect place to celebrate Christmas, New Year and one of our birthdays! Thank you for everything. You are wonderful people and we will never forget you! We will you all the best for the future – you’re doing so well with your hostel. We will also miss Ginger the cat! ‑ Hannah & Moritz
• Lovely place – great time! ‑ Svenja
• Lovely owners – thank you! ‑ Carolin
• Like family. Thanks for your help. ‑ Thea
• Lovely place. Everyone is so friendly! ‑ Rebecca
• Great atmosphere. Will be back! ‑ Ivana
• Really good people here. ‑ Omayra 
• One of the best hostels!! ‑ Robin
• We got here on January 1st and planned to stay for just a few days to get out of the storm. We felt at home here from the first day. You found us jobs so fast. Thanks for that! You always took care of us. We enjoyed this place and a safe place, full of new friends, like a big family – with cooking nights, sharing a lot of things, making music and sitting together in philosophical conversations! David & Victoria you are always smiling even if there is no minute to relax sometimes. We know that Hone Heke Lodge is never ending work and we have a big respect for your never ending power to resolve problems to make Hone Heke Lodge more and more enjoyable. You have created a very special place and we are very sure that we won’t find anything similar to this in NZ. And we know many people who stayed here can’t forget this place! We won’t forget this time here! ‑ Steffi & Jule
• Great place. Friendly staff. ‑ Zane
• Loved our time here. ‑ Julia, Melissa & Louis
• Lovely place. Comfortable. ‑ Mutsuki
• Thank you for your kindness. Wonderful place and people. ‑ Rolf & Merten
• Thank you for your hospitality and for finding me a job. ‑ Wesley
• Great hostel. Best so far! ‑ Paul
• Thanks for a great week. ‑ Kasper
• Thank you for being so kind and lovely. ‑ Carly
• Lovely place and owners. ‑ Lioba
• Second times a charm. Here’s hoping November 2016 will see my return. ‑ Tyler
• Lovely hostel! Best hostel I’ve ever stayed! Amazing hosts. Thank you. ‑ Judith
• Lovely hostel. Thank you for your lovely hospitality. ‑ Evelyn
• We had a good time here. Thank you! ‑ Luisa
• Very nice place. Thanks for everything and see you soon! ‑ Valeria
• Second time here and it couldn’t be better. Will miss you – and Ginger (cat) ‑ Janina
• Nice rooms and good community. ‑ Melf
• Thanks for everything. I had a great time at Hone Heke Lodge. Stay as you are. ‑ Melanie

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Dear David & Victoria, Thank you for welcoming me into your hostel with such enthusiasm and making me feel right at home from Day 1. Hone Heke Lodge is definitely one of the nicest hostels I’ve stayed at in New Zealand and certainly the cleanest!! The past 2 months have really flown by, although you know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun. (although not sure working in the orchard is fun) Thanks for being so friendly and helpful whenever you need it. It’s so refreshing to meet managers of a working hostel that actually care about their guests. I’ll remember this place long after I leave New Zealand. Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s working wonderfully. ‑ Keegan
• Nice people, nice room & comfortable beds. Thanks. ‑ Steff & Torsten
• Enjoyed my time here! Thank you for getting me a job in Pukenui. Looking forward to coming back to pick kiwifruit! ‑ Frite
• Home away from home! ‑ Fabian
• Felt like home! I will miss everyone so much! Thanks for all your effort and kindness. I had a great time that will always stay in my memory!! Wishing you all the best. ‑ Flora
• It was a great time are in Kerikeri and Hone Heke Lodge. You are doing a great job! I will miss it a lot. Thanks for everything! ‑ Jette
• Lovely homelike, comfy hostel with friendly staff and an amazing kitchen. Thank you for my wonderful night here. ‑ Tessa
• One of the best hostels I’ve stayed in. Thanks to David & Victoria for being so accommodating and pretty much getting us a job the day we got here. Been really easy and comfortable staying here whilst we saved to travel the South Island . Now to explore NZ! Thank you. ‑ Beth
• I spent a quiet and peaceful evening and night here. To be booked in a dorm and sleep in a room to myself was amazing! ‑ Friedrich
• We wanted to stay just one night….that’s now 6 weeks ago. Thank you so much for your kindness. We will miss this place. It felt like home to us and we will never forget it! Maybe one day we will come back. Great job Victoria & David! ‑ Madelena & Elisabeth
• It was great here. You have a great place! Thank you so much for giving us this special place! ‑ Marina
• Wow – what an amazing experience. The people, cleanliness, homeliness and chilled atmosphere has been an excellent introduction to New Zealand and will be carried with us the rest of our lives. Thank you for your support, love and kindness you’ve freely given us over the last 2 weeks. Stay beautiful Hone Heke Lodge! ‑ Cheryl & Shaun
• Thanks so much you lovely people of Hone Heke Lodge. You have been very kind and helpful. Keep that up! Don’t have to change anything…also a big thanks to the cleaners who made sure the place was shining 24/7. Stay magic! ‑ Jordie
• Lovely place. Well equipped. Super. See you next time. ‑ Arlette
• Great place. As ever ‘home away from home’. Thanks for everything. ‑ Martin (visiting again)
• Great. Clean. Friendly staff. Loved the stay!!! ‑ James & Catherine
• Wonderful refuge from the storm on the Te Araroa trail. Very hospitable & friendly. Thanks. ‑ Margaret, Kay & Jayne (Good luck with the rest of the trail ladies)
• Really good time in the lodge! Thanks for the BBQ. ‑ Fabio
• What can I say? Thank you David & Victoria for a wonderful time in your wonderful hostel. It was far more than a bed -it was my home for more than 3 months. Endearing people, clean, polite, friendly hostel. Definitely the best location in Kerikeri. If it is possible I will return for sure. ‑ Martin
• I had a really great time here and will never forget your kindness. Thank you for all the experiences I had here. This place is AMAZING! -Doris
• You get the strange feeling when you leave a place like you’ll not only miss the people you met, but you miss the person you are at this time and place. Thank you so much! ‑ Gesa
• Thank you so much David & Victoria for everything. You’ve really made my stay here relaxing and stress free with all the hard work that you put into running this 5 star hostel! Wish you all the best! ‑ Christian
• Thank you David & Victoria for always going the extra mile and with a smile. For some of the people who stay here, it is their first time away form home at 18/19 years old and it is great that you are always there for them 100%. It’s easy to get somewhere in New Zealand with a great location but you guys manage to make it even more special. Have a great time making it better and better! All our love. ‑ Laura & Matt (for the second time!)
• Dear David & Victoria. We stayed such a long time in your beautiful hostel and it felt like home. You are such lovely people always with a smile on your faces and you’re there for everybody who needs help. Thank you for everything. Maybe we meet again some day! We will never forget you! All the best for you and your family. Love ‑ Eric & Leah
• Thank you for the nice two nights in your hostel. We had a great time and will recommend it to our friends. ‑ Lennart & Sonja
• Thanks a lot David & Victoria. I’m really happy I got to stay in such a perfect place! You do everything to make sure everyone really enjoys their stay. Please keep running it like this. ‑ Richard
• Warm & welcoming atmosphere. Felt fully welcome. Comfortable rooms, clean & great facilities. Will come again! ‑ Vicky & Jonny
• Family friendly atmosphere. Very welcoming. Lovely clean and comfortable accommodation. Thank you. ‑ Grace
• Thank you for being a nice start to our holiday trip. Very friendly atmosphere and run really well. Good job and many thanks. ‑ Hana & Petr
• Thanks for everything guys. It’s been great. ‑ David
• You guys are awesome!! Thank you both so much for all your help and for making us feel so welcome! Would recommend to everyone. Home from home! All the best. ‑ Jos and Maddison
• After 2 1/2 months it’s time for me to leave today. I’ve had such a great time! The hostel is great! There is such a good group of people, all the facilities are nice and clean and of course David & Victoria are always ready to help anyone with anything. This was my home and it does feel like leaving home all over again! Thank you very much for everything! ‑ Mariel
• Very fresh place. With lots of young people around us we felt younger! Recommend. ‑ Dirk & Conni
•  Nice stay. Clean hostel. Nice rooms. Nice atmosphere. Thanks!! ‑ Clarisse
• Great first stop in New Zealand. I had a great 7 days here. ‑ Christoph
• HOME. Good selection of activities -pool table, table tennis, lots of DVDs. ‑ Marina
• Very good place. ‑ Noemie & Romain
• It was really lovely staying here. You guys are amazing and the place is just wonderful!! Feels like home. ‑ Silvia
• Thank you for the nice time here. It’s a lovely hostel and I met lots of nice people. ‑ Ronja
• Comfortable!! Nice place! ‑ YaehYi
• Thank you so much for this lovely accommodation!! ‑ Nora
• After nearly 3 months staying in this hostel it makes me sad leaving it today. I think this lodge offers the best start for travelling NZ you could possibly get. David & Victoria are really nice people that help wherever they can and invest a lot of energy to make everybody happy. The lodge is well equipped and always clean and tidy. I enjoyed my stay a lot and it was a very good part of my journey. I wish you the best for the future. ‑ Alex
• Back again. Thanks to David & Victoria for getting me jobs and always helping out. Will always remember my time here! ‑ Anne
• Had a brilliant time at Hone Heke Lodge. Lovely room, cleanliness is amazing. Overall great hostel – would come back for sure. Also a big thank you to David & Victoria for getting us jobs so quickly and for everything extra they did for us. ‑ Nicola & Jenna
• Lovely set up you have and I love the family presence. You seem to have a great work/life balance and it’s so great that your kids still get to have you around during the day! I love the smiles, hospitably and friendliness. Thank you! ‑ Gypsy
• Such a beautiful place to stay. People here live like a big family. Everyone is open and welcoming. Victoria and David are great hosts and always look after their guests’ well being. Very helpful and kind. I enjoyed my stay very much. ‑ Richard & Nicolae
• Very familiar hostel. Really sad to leave now. Thanks to David & Victoria for helping me find a job. ‑ Johannes
• Thanks you! ‑ Tallulah
• Thanks heaps ‑ Ashlee
• Thank you – your place is great!! ‑ Seaton
• Awesome place and great people! ‑ Anastasia
• Loved my stay here. It’s a really cool place. Wish I could stay here longer. Thanks for everything. Cheers! ‑ Mor
• Thanks for hosting us after a car accident. ‑ Guanqun (so glad you are safe and well!)
• I really enjoyed my time in your hostel. ‑ Richard

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Thanks David & Victoria for your hospitality and helpfulness! All clean and in a good state. Top! ‑ Oliver
• AMAZING! High standard in this backpackers! I definitely recommend to everyone!!! ‑ Lukas
• Thank you David & Victoria. ‑ Mori
• Fantastic place!! ‑ Pernille
• This has been one of the nicest hostels to stay in. So warm and welcoming from the moment I got here. Thank you! ‑ Karis
• Very nice place to stay and friendly. Thank you!! ‑ Damien
• A lovely place to stay. Very friendly. Thanks David & Victoria and kids. ‑ Chris & Ellen
• A very homely and familiar place. Well organised and I got the best support here. ‑ Andreas
• I had the best time here and David & Victoria were the best hosts possible. Leaving Hone Heke Lodge feels like leaving home all over again. ‑ Arne
• I really enjoyed my stay at Hone Heke Lodge. Very spacious and nice kitchen. Thank you very much!! ‑ Atsuko
• It is with mixed feelings I’m leaving Hone Heke Lodge. On one part I’ll have new experiences and meet new people but on the other part I will be leaving a place I considered home. Thank you so much Victoria & David for your support and advice and everything you have done for me. I wish you and the kids all the best of luck in both private and professional areas. I hope I can return to this place before I have to return to Belgium. ‑ Farah 
• It’s one great place you have! ‑ Darta & Zane
• I felt like I was at home in this lovely lodge and the people are really amazing! Thank you. ‑ Juliette
• Great place. Thanks for everything. ‑ Day family
• Such a great hostel! We felt welcome from the very beginning and we are so glad we spent Christmas and New Year’s here because it felt like being with a family. Thanks for the wonderful month here! We will see you again. ‑ Kristian & Laeke
• Thanks for the great time. It was like a family. I will never forget it. One of the best hostels I’ve stayed in. ‑ Marie
• Super welcoming people and made our stay really nice. Thanks heaps! ‑ Jess & Duncan
• Lovely people and clean, relaxing environment. Thanks a lot! ‑ Emmy
• Very nice place. Very welcoming. Great bed. Thank you! ‑ Trevor & Pip
• One of the best hostels I’ve stayed in! Very nice rooms! ‑ Vivien
• Really nice place. A lot of facilities and always clean. Thanks! ‑ Paloma
• Thank you for everything! I had an amazing time here. This felt as close to a family as it gets since I’ve been on the road! All the best! ‑ Stephen
• Lovely accommodation. Very friendly staff! Very much enjoyed our stay. ‑ William & Anna
• We stayed for 4 days and even though it rained a lot we had a great time here and it was a pleasure to stay at Hone Heke Lodge. Thanks a lot! ‑ Stefan & Phillip
• Amazing hostel! Good rooms, well equipped outdoor kitchen, clean and most importantly friendly people! ‑ David
• Thank you for taking me back after my 3 day trip. I spent another week here. Met a lot of great people here and celebrated New Year with them. Thanks again for everything! ‑ Nik
• Yay! Great job! Thank you. ‑ Brett
• One of the best hostels I’ve stayed in. David & Victoria can’t help you enough. They provide such a great atmosphere here for all of us It’s so hard to leave! I’ll be recommending to everyone coming this way. Thank you. ‑ Chelsi-Lee
• Nice stay!!! ‑ Freiderike
• It was a nice stay here and we enjoyed the atmosphere and the lovely rooms!!! ‑ Isabella & Simon
• Absolutely fabulous! Best hosts! Thank you so much David & Victoria (and Danny for driving us to and from UB40!) ‑ Nicole & Ron and Lisa & Paul
• Very nice place. Best yet! ‑ Ian & Aiiya
• Great place to stay. Love it! ‑ Vladimir
• Awesome room and thanks for a very happy stay! ‑ Andrea & Jen
• Thanks a lot for everything. Nice place and nice owners! ‑ Hana
• This is a beautiful hostel. ‑ Franco
• So comfortable. I enjoyed lots in my short stay! ‑ Francisco
• Great people. Really friendly and helpful. Thanks! ‑ Jack
• Great staying here. Helped me a lot and always willing to help at any time!!. ‑ Bjorn
• Brilliant hostel. Good luck with the future for Hone Heke Lodge. Hope to be back!! ‑ Don & Gill
• Nice stay. If I knew it would be this nice I would have stayed longer. ‑ Lynn
• Nice hostel! Thank you! ‑ Lea & Mia
• Very nice people. Thank you! ‑ Leonie & Julian

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Your hostel and hospitality was one of the best I’ve experienced in 9 years of traveling. The morale of all the other people residing was amazing and I’ll definitely recommend you to anyone I meet looking for a place in Kerikeri. And I’ll definitely drop by in the future. Thank you so much. ‑ Conal
• Great place -it’s lovely here. Thank you. ‑ Maik, Josef & Kay
• I’m already leaving this hostel for the 3rd time but hopefully not for the last. I can’t imagine finding a better hostel than this in New Zealand. David & Victoria are great hosts – you care about every single person here and try to find everyone work who is looking for it. Thank you so much for the great stay here at Hone Heke Lodge! All the best for you and your family! ‑ Sebastian
• Hone Heke Lodge was very comfortable for me and New Zealand people are very kind and helpful! I’m glad I stayed here. ‑ Yoko
• A very friendly, comfortable and clean stay! Thank you very much! ‑ Kymi & Matthew
• It was lovely to stay here! Thank you very much for your kindness! ‑ Csertiati family
• Hone Heke Lodge was a very pleasant place with friendly people. One night was too short! Thank you. ‑ Marc
• It was just 2 weeks here but we felt so comfortable in this hostel. We really love Kerikeri and hope to come back to Hone Heke Lodge one day too. Thank you for all our kindness! ‑ Giovanni & Kyoko
• Only stayed for 1 night but can truely say it’s one of the best hostels I’ve stayed in. Thank you. ‑ Keri & Harley
• Visiting Hone Heke Lodge was great fun for us. It’s a really nice place you’ve created here. It will always be a very nice memory for us. If anyone asks where to stay in Northland we’ll tell them your place. Thanks a lot and keep on like you are so that other backpackers can have an awesome stay in Kerikeri too. ‑ Julius & Flo
• This is the nicest hostel I’ve ever been to. It’s true! Thanks Victoria & David for all your help and for being warm and caring people. ‑ Robin
• When I arrived in Auckland I was pretty much lost and no idea what to do or how to start my adventure. Someone in my first hostel told me about a great working hostel in Kerikeri and that’s how I got here. The last 7 weeks have been an amazing time. Right at the beginning David & Victoria got me work -thank you so much for your help. During my time here in Kerikeri I learned the ‘kiwi way of life’ and I made many friends here. I had an amazing time here and now it’s like leaving home for a second time and I can not deny I will miss this place – especially the big rooms, great showers, the big communal area and space and of course Victoria & David. You can really feel the passion you put into Hone Heke Lodge! Keep this as this is what distinguishes your lodge from many others. ‑ Felix
• Hone Heke Lodge is definitely the best hostel I have stayed in so far. I spent and awesome 2 1/2 months in this great hostel and I really was able to call this place my second home. It’s such a unique atmosphere here. The rooms are big and everything is really clean and tidy and there is a big kitchen (I could continue this list forever) but it’s not only the facilities that make this hostel great. It’s the people you meet and of course the hostel owners David & Victoria. I’m sure it’s going to be a long time until I have such a great time in a hostel again. I made so many friends here that will be friends forever. So, thank you David & Victoria for this great time here. I really appreciate how much passion you two put into this place. Keep up the great job! ‑ Jonas
• Thanks a lot for the stay here! You’re such great people! ‑ Tobias
• You can see amazing things in New Zealand and the best hostel is here! Thank you David & Victoria for everything. ‑ Manuel (thanks for coming back to spend your last few weeks in New Zealand. A pleasure to see you again)
• It was a wonderful time here. Nice and helpful hosts. Nice time. ‑ Nik & Mathias
• What an amazing place! Felt like home. Victoria & David are so caring. Thanks. ‑ Denis
• Great hostel, great people. Thanks for everything David & Victoria. ‑ Matthew
• Had a great month here. Thank you for always being so helpful and always smiling. We will be back! xx ‑ Laura
• Thank you for all the awesome days! This hostel is so cozy and lovely! Also a big thank you for helping me to find a job and getting my car fixed! ‑ Marcus
• Thank you so much for this wonderful stay. You guys are seriously are the best hosts ever. A part of me doesn’t want to leave but I’m 100% sure that I’ll be back one day. ‑ Pauline
• Didn’t stay long but wish I had. Great people. You gave me great info. Thanks so much. I’ll spread the word about the lodge! ‑ Marion
• Thanks for the nice atmosphere, clean and lovely rooms and the warm welcome! We enjoyed it very much! ‑ Natalie & Melanie
• Loving the Te Araroa trail. Thank you for the stay! ‑ Papa Oats  (good luck on the trail!)
• Thanks for the stay. ‑ Young Buck (good luck on the trail!)
• Had a really nice time here. Lovely hosts. See you next time. Cheers. ‑ Wei
• It was a real pleasure to sleep in your comfortable bed, to have good kitchen equipment and to meet nice people – especially David & Victoria. ‑ Marian
• I really enjoyed every minute in this hostel. Thank you for really comfortable beds. I appreciated you getting me a job and all the football & netball matches in which I could participate. David & Victoria, good luck in the future. ‑ Nik
• Hone Heke Lodge gave me a direction in a hard time when I had no direction I’m really grateful for that! To stay strong and make the right decision in every situation is something I learned here. I hope everybody takes the opportunity to travel New Zealand and the world! ‑ Fabian (again! -was great to have you back!)
• I had a really nice and productive time at Hone Heke Lodge. Victoria & David are not just very lovely and helpful people but they live the hostel life through and through. Thanks for the comfortable beds and the job opportunities, the clean rooms and all the fun activities! ‑ Jakob
• Thank you for everything. I had a wonderful time at your lodge! ‑ Annika
• Thank you for your great time here! ‑ Laura
• Wonderful time! Super helpful with everything especially finding work and transport to and from work. Continue to be successful! ‑ Tyler
• Thanks for everything. It was amazing and you are wonderful people. Hope to see you again. ‑ Davide
• Thank you for the great atmosphere in your hostel and for always helping us. Was my second time here and I hope to return for a third time. ‑ Tom
• Nice place and lovely people. Thanks for everything -it was a great time and perfect Christmas so far from home! ‑ Madeline
• Thanks to David & Victoria – you are great hosts. The backpackers is awesome – good atmosphere, good people, good place. Keep helping backpackers as you do – you are doing a wonderful job! ‑ Jean Eudes
• Not only did you help me with finding my path to enlightenment – by which I mean shaving my head (Bald Angels world records -shaving 400 heads in one hour) and turning into a monk – of course you also helped me experience my first feeling of home here in New Zealand. This lodge will always have a special place in my heart – the people & the memories. I go with a smile and a little tear in my eyes and I hope I can find time to come here again before I leave New Zealand and go on new adventures! Keep up the good work and stay the way you are. ‑ Franzi
• Thank you so much David & Victoria for helping me to find a job. I had a great time here and I wish you good luck for the future. ‑ An Tan
• Thank you. ‑ Yoko
• I had fun. ‑ Izumi
• Thank you David & Victoria for making me feel at home. What a lovely group of people to spend Christmas with. This hostel definitely met the high expectations I had after hearing about it from so many people. See you again. ‑ Anne
• Thanks for all the work opportunities and the chance to work with y’all. Had a wonderful Christmas and really felt at home. Lots of love and good vibes. Perhaps I’ll be back. ‑ Brendan 
• Lovely! Enjoyed! ‑ Tobias
• Enjoyed my stay! ‑ Sebastien
• I would just like to let you know that I had a fantastic stay at your lodge! The two of you are great hosts, you make a big effort to make everybody happy and to help them get jobs! It was an awesome place to stay. It was super easy to meet new people and it felt like being part of a big family. I am genuinely happy that I decided to stay with you. ‑ Sofie
• Thank you for everything! I had an amazing time at your hostel! ‑ Viktoria
• Very nice and quiet place. Very pleasant -thank you. ‑ Elsa
• Was a really lovely place. We loved our 4 weeks here. We felt like we were in a second family! Thanks for everything! ‑ Constanze & Johanna
• Thank you for a wonderful stay! Always helpful, warm & welcoming! Thanks so much for helping me find work & a place where I met great new friends. My favourite place to stay. Thank you so much David & Victoria for everything! Love you guys!! xoxo ‑ Carrie
• Great place! Love it! Thank you so much! ‑ Homer & Orian
• It’s a really nice hostel to rest at! It’s personal with great people. Thank you! ‑ Kiri
• A great place to rest after walking 223km from Cape Reinga! Thanks!!! ‑ Jerome
• Awesome play for the Te Araroa hikers and everyone else if you want to have a day off. ‑ Stefan
• Really fab! Great facilities and nice atmosphere. Very friendly people and loads of great advice. ‑ Kat
• Enjoyed my stay. Really helpful. Will stay again and recommend. ‑ Will
• Beautiful place to stay. I had a great time and thank you so much!  -Maria
• Thank you very much for your warm welcome. A great place to take a rest from the Te Araroa Trail! ‑ Louis
• The best hostel in the North! Great place to visit Cape Reinga. Thank you. ‑ Anne
• A lovely hostel. The hosts are really nice. I loved it here. I had a wonderful 2 nights here. Thank you very much! ‑ Yvonne
• Thank you for such a nice stay! We really felt like we were at home here. We will remember it as our first great impression of New Zealand! ‑ Kjell & Vivien
• Thank you for such a lovely stay.We enjoyed our time her and would love to stay longer but we’ll come back. ‑ Nadine & Elena
• Thanks! ‑ Anne
• When I was in Paihia I said to a friend that I would chose a hostel in Kerikeri with my feelings. I am very happy that my sixth sense is so good! Just a great hostel. David & Victoria – ‘KAPO DOL’ for what you are doing! ‑ Nejc
• Still the great place it’s always been. This was my fourth time here and it won’t be my last. ‑ Martin
• It’s a wonderful place. You run it with lots of love. Many thanks for everything. ‑ Barbara
• Great place! ‑ Natacha
• Thank you so much for such nice accommodation! We will definitely come back as soon as possible. ‑ Chiara & Virginia
• It’s been lovely calling this place home for the past few weeks. It has been great getting to know all of the backpackers passing through and the lovely town of Kerikeri. It is evident that you both care a lot about Hone Heke Lodge and it’s visitors. Thank you for everything and best wishes for the future. ‑ Chris
• I can just repeat what everyone says about this place -over 6 weeks this Lodge has become a second home. Lovely hosts. Keep it going like this! ‑ Florent
• Second time here – still awesome! ‑ Christopher & Sophie
• Thank you very much! It was my second time her and I will definitely recommend it to other backpackers. BEST HOSTEL EVER! ‑ Joana
• Lovely! A really nice place to stay! ‑ Michael & Sarah
• Thanks! ‑ Anne

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Best hostel to visit in the North! ‑ Sam
• This hostel is great. I met so many nice people. Victoria & David are so helpful and friendly and I’m sure I’ll be back! Thanks. ‑ Carolin
• David & Victoria thank you so much for going above and beyond for your guests. I had a great 3 week stay at your hostel and really enjoyed myself and made some great friends. Thanks! ‑ Michelle
• Best place to stay and visit the North of New Zealand! A huge THANK YOU David & Victoira for everything and for 5 great weeks! ‑ Josh
• What a great place to stay. I can’t wait to come back and stay on my return from the Bluff. Thank you so couch!! ‑ Rogen
• Great place! Really friendly and helpful owners! Wish I was staying longer! ‑ Linnea
• Thank you very much for thee beautiful 3 weeks! It was so lovely here and I enjoy it! Thanks to Dave and Victoria – you are so friendly and helpful. I’ll remember these 3 weeks for a long time! ‑ Darius
• Great place to feel like home. Thank you David & Victoria for all your help. We’ll come back at the end of our journey! All the best for you and your family! ‑ Janik & Anna
• Thanks of your help and everything else. Hone Heke Lodge is really a great place! Thank you so much. ‑ Roman & JG
• Good place to rest on the Te Araroa Trail. People are easy going and smiling! ‑ Dragos (Good luck with rest of the Te Araroa trail)
• Very nice place to stay and such nice friendly people here. Victoria & David helped us with everything. Thank you very much. ‑ Katha & Veve
• Thank you so much for getting us a job and giving us a lovely place to be! It was always great to come home here after work. All the best!! ‑ Inge & Marie
• What a lovely warm place to be. Seeing all the backpackers stirred a yearning to travel! Thank you for being so inviting. We will be back! ‑ Kirsten, Sheila, Tere & Ana (Glad wedding went well!)
• It’s a very nice hostel and we loved our room.Victoria & David are so friendly. Thank you! ‑ Selina, Paulina & Svenja
• Awesome stop on the Te Araroa Trail (TAT). Nice place to relax, take a day off and resupply. Victoria & David are helpful with any questions. Thanks for everything! ‑ Alex & Renate (Good luck with rest of the Te Araroa trail)
• Great stay. Great place to get cleaned up before continuing on the Te Araroa trail. ‑ Simon & Emily (Good luck with rest of the Te Araroa trail)
• Best place I have stayed in so far! Wonderful owners and staff. I would recommend this place to everyone. Thanks David & Victoria. ‑ Grant
• Best hostel we could imagine. David & Victoria’s kindness made our time here so great. We felt at home here. Thanks! Going to miss it and definitely come back at the end of our trip. ‑ Katharina & Christopher
• Until now the best hostel I have stayed at in New Zealand. Thank you very much for the great accommodation. Everything was perfect. Thanks a lot for also helping me to find a job. ‑ Sebastian
• Thank you so much for giving us the ensuite room. We really enjoyed our stay again this year. Hope to see you again next year running the half marathon. ‑ Hans & Paul (Great run guys!)
• This place has great energy because it’s run by great people. Without a doubt the best backpackers and friendliest backpackers in the whole wide world! ‑ Brandon & Amanda
• Great stay – twice -once at the beginning of the Te Araroa trail and as resupply. Awesome hosts in Victoria & David. Made me feel at home. Happy trailer! ‑ Mick (Good luck for the rest of the Te Araroa trail!)
• Thank you. This is a great place to stop and rest sore feet for a day. Very friendly. And I especially appreciated the clean bathrooms. Nice comfy beds too!! ‑ Vicky (Good luck for rest of the Te Araroa trail!)
• Came here for one night and stayed 4! Thanks a million really – David & Victoria, you are true gems and set up here something really rare. Keep it up! Cheers. ‑ Come
• Your hostel is one of the best to start around New Zealand. Thank you very much for all the effort to get me a nice job. ‑ Aaron
• Great time spent her! FAB beds!!!! ‑ Anne & Guenther
• Only one night but had a lovely time! ‑ Gerda
• Nice place and lovely people. ‑ Noemie
• Comfy beds with much needed rest! ‑ Hannah & Ian
• Fantastic! Unbelievable! Great hosts. Couldn’t help us enough. Wonderful to be with enthusiastic young people around us. Absolutely fabulous. Thank you David & Victoria. Good luck for the future. ‑ Trefoil Guild Group from Whangarei 
• Had an awesome stay in a very clean hostel with great people and super cute cat! ‑ Annika
• A really lovely place and good time here. Thanks!! ‑ Morgane
• Thank you, thank you, thank you! Awesome stay in you lovely hostel. ‑ Lukas
• Although I have only need in one other hostel before I think this will be one of the best on my trip. Thank you for all your help getting a job too. If I have time at the end of my trip I will come again! ‑ Moritz
• Dear David & Victoria! Thank you so much for being such lovely hosts. You’re doing a great job! I found my family here and I will miss this place! All the best. ‑ Anna
• Thanks a lot. Had a nice time here. Wonderful people and nice view! All the best. ‑ Chia-Ling
• I truly enjoyed this place. Keep it up! ‑ Jasper
• I really enjoyed staying with you. Lovely place. ‑ Lea
• Really nice place. Full of good energy! ‑ Coline (Good luck for rest of the Te Araroa trail!)
• Awesome stay here! Very nice room, cool people, good vibe! Thank you! ‑ Luisa
• Had a great stay and well needed rest from hiking the Te Araroa trail. ‑ Nathan
• Hone Heke Lodge has been my home for 1 month and I am sad to leave it now. I will recommend it. Thanks for being so helpful David & Victoria. You have a lot of children to look after and you do it well! ‑ Cloe
• Dear David & Victoria, it was great time in your Hone Heke Lodge. We enjoyed the time and your great rooms! See you soon. ‑ Lars & Maximillian
• We slept so well!! ‑ Kilian
• Lovely hosts and great room with shower! ‑ Wilbur
• Here is very friendly to everyone! It’s the best choice if you stay in Kerikeri! ‑ Lily
• Thanks for letting us stay and wash & dry all our equipment. Great Lodge! ‑ Yannic & Lisa (Good luck with rest of the Te Araroa trail)
• Lovely stay. Thank you for being so helpful and friendly! 🙂 ‑ Madeline & James
• We slept well and we found everything we needed to be happy! Thanks! ‑ Katharina & Ilana
• Very nice rooms. Very Te Araroa trail friendly. Thanks for the oranges and help! Vcry relaxing. ‑ Jana & Chris
• Very nice hostel! 🙂 Clean room and lovely staff! ‑ Elena
• Amazing hosts! Comfy beds and friendly cat. Thanks for everything! 10/10! ‑ Sara & Oliver
• Little Paradise between the Te Araroa’s trail. Thank you! ‑ Benjamin & Caroline
• Absolutely awesome hosts. Beds fabulously comfortable. Super place to stay. ‑ Shirley (aged an amazing 82! ssssh)
• Great place – even for us oldies! Will recommend. ‑ Carol
• David & Victoria – thank you for this lovely time in your Hone Heke Lodge. 3 wonderful weeks and we would love to come back at the end of our journey. Thanks for driving us every morning to the packhouse with your kind and friendly way. Best time ever! See you soon. ‑ Lou Anne & Leona
• Thank you for the warm welcome. You are excellent hosts! Thanks so much for the trail maps, oranges and pizzas. We will definitely recommend you! ‑ Harriet
• Thank you for the nice room and facilities. We only stayed one night but it was great! ‑ Emrah
• Thanks for the great hospitality and great atmosphere. ‑ Andreas
• Lovely 2 night stay in a clean and well equipped hostel. David & Victoria are friendly and welcoming managers. Best hostel we have stayed in! ‑ Oli
• It was really lovely here! Loved staying here and we’ll be back sometime! ‑ Joshua
• Really nice hosts and staying here was great. Nice to meet you! ‑ Doron
• Thank you so much for letting us stay in your amazing friendly hostel at such short notice! A great, comfortable place to relax after exploring the Bay of Islands. Thanks for all of your advice! ‑ Victoria & Jack
• Thank you for everything! We wish our stay was longer. If we ever travel this way again, we will definitely try and stay longer. Best time ever! Cheers. ‑ Carol & Keri
• Thanks for everything!! Amazing time relaxing after coast to coast walk and before rest of Te Araroa trail! ‑ Emily
• Thank you! ‑ Caitlin
• Such a beautiful place. It was a pleasure to stay with all the nice and kind people. Thank you for making me feel like I was home for a while! 🙂 ‑ Helene
• Thank you very much for the great time at Hone Heke Lodge Kerikeri. ‑ Hannah
• It’s a really nice place here. The hosts are very friendly and they help you if you need things. This is definitely THE place to stay in Kerikeri. ‑ Kevin
• It’s a great place. David & Victoria are very nice. Also very friendly people stay here. ‑ Anh Tan
• After travelling in New Zealand for 11 1/2 months this is by far one of the best hostels I’ve stayed at. Awesome bed, clean kitchen and bathrooms. All you need for cooking and storing food and awesome TV room. But best of all are the owners and staff – always positive and helpful. Thanks for everything! ‑ Tomas
• Super cool place and team. A welcome lodge after 200km on the TA (Te Araroa trail). And they didn’t tease me because Australia lost to New Zealand in Rugby World Cup! Cheers. ‑ Lars & Romina
• Best hostel to live in while you are working. Always the best people. Won’t forget our stay! ‑ Marc & Heiko
• We just came to say ‘hello’ and stayed for 9 days! It was worth it to come back to such a familiar place, seeing all the new backpackers now reminds us of how we began in New Zealand too! Grow strong! ‑ Giorgio & Fabian
• Had a GREAT stay! The bed was so comfortable. Wish we could stay longer. Thank you for the ride into town so we could complete our errands!! So kind of both of you. Thank you again!!! ‑ Laura & Toller (good luck on the TA Trail)
• It’s a great place to stay with friendly owners and backpackers! Thanks for everything! Cheers. ‑ Camille
• Beautiful. Thank you for your help. ‑ Tobias
• Awesome place and great staff. ‑ Elisa
• We had a great time here. It is a nice place to stay. ‑ Louise
• Thanks for the helpful advice and the friendly atmosphere. ‑ Sarah
• Fantastic place and people! Great beds. ‑ Wayne & Sarah
• Very nice backpackers. ‑ Benjamin
• Cool stop after a long day on the Te Araroa trail! ‑ Agnes (enjoy the rest of your trail!)
• Thanks for letting me say at this lovely place. I really enjoyed the privacy in my single room! 🙂 ‑ Steph

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Dear David & Victoria…thanks for letting us stay in your hostel and let us be part of this family feeling that you have created. This was our home for the last 5 moths and it’s hard to say goodbye. We met a lot of new friends and would love to come back or meet you again somewhere else in the world! Thanks for everything! You made our New Zealand experience and unforgettable time! ‑ Danny & Linda
• Great place! Loved it here! ‑ Neil
• Another wonderful visit. ‑ Johannes
• Nice place. Nice room. Nice river and nice fish!!! ‑ Camille & Vincent
• We really enjoyed our stay here! Thanks. ‑ Danes & French
• Thank you for letting us stay in the lovely room! We loved the BBQ. Nice to have met you. ‑ Peter & Mariella
• Welcome respite on the TA (Te Araroa trail)! ‑ Benedict & Jennifer
• Very friendly people & nice cozy place. Thank you!! ‑ One lucky boy and his 6 girl friends
• Great place, very good welcome. Nice dorm. I recommend it! ‑ Vincent
• Very lovely hostel and people! Nice 6 weeks here. ‑ Melina & Viktoria
• Great place and more of all such lovely people. Such good vibes and great help. ‑ Julie
• Really nice place to stay with really nice people. ‑ Lara & Analin
• It is the nicest hostel I have stayed at in New Zealand so far and I really loved it! The bedroom was so comfortable – like I was at home and the kitchen is a very open place where it was always fun to cook and talk with other backpackers after a long day. Thank you. Also for your kindness. ‑ Carolin
• We had awesome 3 weeks in this lovely and kind hostel. Work hard, play hard! Nice owners and great people. LOVED IT HERE!! ‑ Anne & Annika
• Thank you for welcoming us so warmly! Really enjoyed meeting people from everywhere! Best place in Northland!! ‑ Matthieu & Aiina
• Tried to leave this place several times and ended up staying for an awesome 2 weeks. Great hostel with lovely people. ‑ Joshua
• Didn’t plan to stay but ended up staying more than 2 weeks. Lovely, quiet place with great hosts! ‑ Julian
• My official home in Northland. Thank you guys so much for have me stay along my Te Araroa trail. ‑ Ryan
• Great place to stay along the Te Araroa trail. My favourite place in Northland. ‑ Matt
• I had a great time here with great people. Thank you very much for everything. One of the best hostels in New Zealand! ‑ Janina
• Very nice place to stay. Beautiful set up. ‑ Jeroen & Kyra
• Thank you SO much David & Victoria. Amazing stay here! ‑ Josef
• Nice big rooms! ‑ Carina
• Thanks for a friendly and relaxing stay in Kerikeri. Lovely rooms. 10/10 showers!! ‑ Rosalie
• Fantastic! Comfy beds, lovely atmosphere. Friendly & great service. I’ll definitely stay again. ‑ Lois (Good luck on the Te Araroa trail!)
• Thanks for giving me the last bed! You guys have a lovely place for Te Araroa trampers and it’s a lovely atmosphere -especially for us ‘oldies’! Cheers. ‑ Rachel  (Good luck on the Te Araroa trail!)
• Nice hostel! ‑ Saskia
• Thanks for having me. See you again. ‑ Ricus
• I’m coming back in 2-3 weeks from Cape Reinga to confirm this wicked first taste of Hone Heke Lodge. Cheers guys and bravo to all! ‑ Come
• We stayed 3 nights and really enjoyed it. It is a nice hostel and Kerikeri is a good place to stay. ‑ Carina & Andrea
• Thank you for your hospitality! It’s a great lodge! Lovely people here!! ‑ Luli & Vale
• Lovely stay and rest before heading to Paihia. ‑ Peter (good luck on the Te Araroa trail)
• A very nice hostel. Everyone is kind. My short stay was a lot of fun. ‑ Felix
• Lovely people! Thank you! ‑ Laura
• It was a pleasure to stay at Hone Heke Lodge Kerikeri for 2 nights. I hope I’ll stay longer next time! ‑ Niklas
• Thanks for everything. You were so sweet and helpful and we enjoyed our time here. ‑ Lena & Carsten
• Very nice hostel! ‑ Johannes
• Awesome hostel – great rooms & amazing showers. Good social kitchen space & great that they do so much recycling! Thank you for being so friendly, welcoming & helpful with job suggestions 🙂 Would stay again for sure. ‑ Katie
• David and Victoria have welcomed me into their home with open arms! I’m grateful to you guys and can’t wait to see you when I get back in a week! ‑ Strawhatbackper Ryan (doing Te Araroa Trail)
• Very pleasant and friendly. -Peter
• I felt like home. Such a lovely place to live. I met beautiful people and really enjoyed myself. I will definitely return. ‑ Bennett
• I really enjoyed the time here. You were so friendly and helpful if someone had a problem. The bed in the room was amazing -better than at any other place! Hope to be here one time again. Thank you! ‑ Tina
• Feels like home. Everyone is really helpful. Lovely people and comfortable accommodation. Love the free oranges! ‑ Rebecca
• This is a great place that I will come back to for sure and recommend to everyone who wants to come to Kerikeri! ‑ Lea
• Lovely staff. Beautiful people. Will recommend for sure! ‑ Julia
• Thank you for an amazingly relaxing time – almost don’t want to leave!! It makes such a difference that the hosts are kind and welcoming. See you soon for a longer stay!! Much aroha. ‑ Nic (walking Te Araroa trail
• I really enjoyed my stay here – thank you so much! You were so lovely to me and accommodation. Bed was comfortable and made some great friends. Just sorry I had to leave so soon! Thanks again. ‑ Jade
• The place here in Hone Heke Lodge was so lovely and nice to stay. ‑ Ueli & Noelle
• I have been in a lot of backpackers around the world and this is with out doubt the best ever. This two months were like my family and I’m always going to remember Dave & Victoria!! PS Thanks for borrow the bike to Waipapa!! ‑ Ernesto
• Lovely place, nice people. Great time being here. ‑ Noah
• Nice accommodation. Thank you very much. ‑ Namiko
• Awesome place. Clean, great atmosphere, very comfy rooms and kitchen. Highly recommend. Thanks. ‑ Tomas & Lucile
• Our home away from Home. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for us. You were allways doing the best you could to make our time here unforgetable. We met so many lovely people (and sweet and crazy Ginger cat) And we will never forget the last 2 months in Hone Heke Lodge. See you! ‑ Lars & Desi
• It was a nice time in Kerikeri! ‑ Oliver
• I really enjoyed it here! ‑ Esther
• 2 great days here! ‑ Natacha
• Great atmosphere. Wonderful people. Nice beds! Thanks for everything! 🙂 ‑ Lisa
• 2 very good days here. Good times! ‑ Martin
• Of all the backpackers I’ve stayed at and experienced – this was the very best for me! Thank you for clean, warm, cosy, comfortable & sunny everything!! Loved the pool table and of course Ginger the cat. Thank you very much. Highly recommend. ‑ Wayne
• Room number 1 is class!! We love the table tennis room. Thanks for a great time in a really comfy accommodation! ‑ Katha, Tobi & Martin
• Nice rooms and a really great atmosphere! We had a great time and we really enjoyed our time in this wonderful accommodation!! Thanks for everything! ‑ Kim
• We had a great time staying at Hone Heke Lodge! Nice room and nice shower!! Peace 🙂 ‑ Edward
• Though we only stayed one night, this hostel will always stay in our minds! 🙂 ‑ Anne, Benni, Nacho
• Beautiful and comfortable bedroom. Everything you need. Nice night. Thank you! ‑ Celine
• It is a great place to stay in Kerikeri. Very beautiful. I’ll be back. ‑ Lisa
• Big rooms -lovely place! ‑ Olivia
• Nice rooms. Great place for hanging out and meeting people! – Henri
• Great service, nice stay! – Kevin
• Nice place. It was a great time. – Franz
• Lovely place. Nice people. Great time being here. – Noah
• Thanks very much for the warm welcome stay. – Scotty (Good luck for the Te Araroa trail!)
• You’ve got an awesome set up her and we wish you all the best. – Morgan & Georges (Good luck for the Te Araroa trail!)

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Awesome hostel! Feels like home. Everybody is so friendly here! Love that everybody lives together like a small community and Kerikeri is really beautiful. ‑ Oriane
• Thank you so much for everything you did for us. You probably got us spoilt for the rest of our trip. Wish you all the best for you and the hostel! ‑ Stefanie
• It was a nice stay and I wish I could stay longer but I don’t have much time left. When I’m back in Germany I will always remember this as a second home for me. ‑ Clara
• Almost 3 months with you – and I felt like I was staying with family – safe, warm and happy. 10/10. ‑ Tomas
• Lovely! Will stop again if I head this way again. Cheers! ‑ Peter
• Thank you – it was very nice to stay here. Hopefully we’ll see you again! Cheers! ‑ Rico
• Thanks for the great time. ‑ Fabias
• We had a wonderful time at your hostel! You are super friendly and you did everything possible to make sure we were comfortable. Thank you so much! ‑ Vanessa & Inken
• I had a great time here. Thank you very much. ‑ Asako
• Great accommodation. So glad to have separate beds! 🙂 ‑ Karen
• We stayed for only 2 days but we felt really comfortable. It’s a really nice place to stay – warm & cozy! ‑ Nera & Mauca
• It was only one day but it was wonderful! We loved the trampoline and ABBA night. ‑ Michelle & Julia
• When I came her I got a really AWESOME welcome full of energy!! The accommodation is good and it’s the first time I’ve seen such a well equipped kitchen! I had a really good time here. I wish you all the best!! 🙂 ‑ Pierre
• Great accommodation! Great ambience! Thank you so much for the warm welcome to Kerikeri! June fell in love with your kitchen – especially the fire stove!! 🙂 Everybody here is friendly! We will most definitely recommend Hone Heke Lodge to our friends when they visit. David & Victoria – you guys are great! (and Linda too!) Thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you all. ‑ June & Rachel
• Thank you very much. I’ve stayed here for about 5 months and I’ve had a great time. David & Victoria, you are great and nice, kind & wonderful. One of the best backpackers!! ‑ Mirai (Good Luck Mirai & thanks for being part of our Hone Heke Lodge family for so long! We will miss you & your table tennis skills!)
• Staying here was a great choice. Owners were very nice and facilities were great! Thank you. ‑ Antoinette
• The nicest hostel in New Zealand. I was in New Zealand for 10 months and this one was the last stop. TOP! I enjoyed it very much. Thank you David & Victoria ‑ Dustin
• Best hostel so far! I love the atmosphere and all the nice people here. I will miss Ginger and the pool and of course the really nice beds here. Thank you very much for this great time! ‑ Annabell
• Thank you very much for everything. I felt like family from the first day. Probably the best backpackers I’ve been so far in New Zealand and Europe. I’m sad to leave and will probably come back! Thanks to the cleaning team as well and to Ginger! ‑ Barbara
• Very nice here! I felt at home and your cat is awesome. Thanks a lot for your help. ‑ Lisa
• Felt like home. It’s a beautiful place to stay and experience things. Thanks for that. ‑ Helene
• We enjoyed our stay very much. We would love to come again soon. ‑ Christopher & Sophie
• I had a wonderful stay here. Everyone is so nice. The room is very comfortable. I really enjoyed it. ‑ Jiafen Syu
• The whole of Hone Heke Lodge is wonderful! I like it here! ‑ Yuwen
• The stay at Hone Heke Lodge was the perfect ending of my trip! Thank you guys! -Sina
• I enjoyed my stay at Hone Heke Lodge! Everyone is so friendly and it seems like a big family. Thank you very much. ‑ Marcel
• Awesome hostel! Friendly people. Great service, very clean, beautiful double rooms. All perfect. Thanks a lot for your service!! ‑ Jordi
• Thank you so much for this amazing time! For all the help finding work, entertaining us and organising our lives! 6 weeks felt like one and now I can’t believe I am leaving! ‑ Frederike
• I am so sad that we are leaving. I had a great time! I will never forget it -our pot luck dinner nights, our dance lessons! Thank you -and Linda too! ‑ Saskia
• I love this place! I’ve met a lot of nice people. I am really sad to be leaving. And the cat is lovely! ‑ Sandra
• Great room & atmosphere! -Marc
• Nice! ‑ Paavo
• Love this place. ‑ Kirsten
• Best stay here! ‑ Simone
• Incredible week!!! ‑ Mariano
• An amazing hostel experience & beautiful location. Friendliest hosts you could ask for – thank you very much!! ‑ Martha & Hannah
• I really enjoyed staying here. Great room and very friendly. Diving was great as well. I’ll come back! ‑ Maud
• Awesome hostel! Very nice staff and people. Clean and comfortable and all you need as a backpacker! -Carolin & Luisa
• Awesome place. Good vibes and chilled company. Thanks. ‑ Stefano
• Really good and welcoming! Thanks! ‑ Florent & Alex
• We had a lovely time in this beautiful place. It has a great zen feel to it. We’ll come back for sure. Don’t change a thing! Thank you. ‑ Eymelle & Xavier
• Very nice staff. I will definitely recommend this place to a friend. Clean, tidy, friendly and very comfy. ‑ Cintia
• So nice! Very clean, comfortable and very friendly staff! Very cool place to stay! Wish we could have stayed longer!
• Nice and friendly staff. Facilities are clean. ‑ Hannah
• It was awesome staying here. It was a very nice hostel with adorable people. ‑ Tessa & Nadja
• Thank you for everything. It was great to stay here. ‑ Tino & Amelie
• Have a good time here. Really relaxing. Thank you! ‑ Ling
• Thank you very much!! ‑ Aeon
• Great place and great atmosphere! The Friday potluck dinner is definitely a good idea and Ginger is a perfect mascot! ‑ Marine
• A lovely place to meet new people and the owners were the loveliest owners we ever met. Thank you very much! ‑ Carina & Rasmus
• Thank you for everything. I enjoyed staying here. ‑ Junko
• It was really cool to stay here! Thanks. ‑ Anna & Ann-Kirstin
• Thanks. It was a good one. ‑ Alex, Malte & Johannes
• Thank you. It was really nice. ‑ Lotta & Fabienne
• Thank you for the great time!!! ‑ Vanessa
• This is a cool hostel. I enjoyed my time here so much. Thanks! ‑ Steve
• It was a wonderful time. The hostel is very nice! We met many new people! Thanks. ‑ Nina

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Words can not describe the love, dedication, thoughtfulness and happiness that you, Victoria & David, bring not only to Hone Heke Lodge but all of Kerikeri. I have stayed in many places in my life but this was so enjoyable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me. ‑ Dominic
• A home away from home. Great company, hospitality and awesome sleep! ‑ Judy
• Had a wonderful time staying here. David & Victoria are the nicest and make you feel right at home while here. I hope to make it back someday. Thank you for everything. ‑ Jenn
• Thank you! Was a wonderful respite and a real treat to be in such a lovely bed. Beautiful hostel in a beautiful space with beautiful people. Thanks again! ‑ Zach, Rosie & Anua
• Thank you so so much. It was paradise for us, everything was perfect! See you soon. ‑ Thibault & Melanie
• It was again a wonderful time. And again I have to say it feels like leaving home. Thank you. ‑ Janina
• Friendly people, huge rooms and a great atmosphere. I really liked staying here. ‑ Max
• I’ve had an unforgettable time here in Kerikeri and managed to fund my trip at the same time. Thank you David & Victoria for your fantastic hospitality for the last 3 months. You have this place running like clockwork. I will miss this place. Maybe I’ll come back in the summer. All the best. ‑ George
• Smashing stay. Gutted to be leaving. A great place, great facilities and David & Victoria are cracking hosts. Will be back at some point. ‑ Fraser
• Simply a beautiful place to stay! Unfortunately we were only here for one night. We’d definitely like to come back here (especially for the delicious oranges!) Thank you! ‑ Anne Marie & Kira
• We had a great stay here at Hone Heke Lodge. Thank you! ‑ Mortiz & Hannes
• I was very surprised how beautiful the lodge is. I will definitely recommend it and come back here! Thank you! ‑ Isabella
• Unfortunately we only stayed for two nights. We wished we could have stayed longer! Great atmosphere and super-friendly people. Thank you. ‑ Claire & Susanna
• We are very satisfied staying here. It’s a nice environment. It was a tranquil and friendly place. The hosts were very nice and accommodation. Thank you very much. ‑ Johanna
• Great hosts that were incredibly inviting. Took us for a tour around the town and made us feel right at home in the hostel. They went above and beyond to make sure each guest has the best possible time in Kerikeri and for the rest of their time in New Zealand. Great hostel as well – we would return in a heartbeat. -Tom
• Friendly people and huge rooms and a very nice atmosphere makes Hone Heke Lodge a very good place to stay. ‑ Nils
• I can’t believe the time is here – that I’m the one to write in your visitors book! I arrived in May 2014 and only wanted to stay for 3 months. In the end I was here 15 months! Time flies! I never felt like a visitor but more at home and part of a big family. Over the last 15 months I saw this hostel turn into a flash packers. Incredible how much effort you guys put into this place. Every wall painted, every mattress replaced, new roof, new TV etc etc. But most importantly every backpacker left as a friend and part of the family! Well done and thanks for the amazing time I had here at Hone Heke Lodge. ‑ Berend (It was a pleasure to have you stay with us Berend. All the best and good luck with your next adventure – our longest ever staying guest! It will be hard to beat that!)
• It was really a great time here -it’s like a family! I hope I will find time to come back. ‑ Jacob
• Thank you for the great time here at Hone Heke Lodge. Met so many nice people here. ‑ Frederic
• My time here at Hone Heke Lodge was pretty cool. Thanks for all your help. It’s a very pretty place and good to place to stay for a long time. You have a very good family atmosphere here. I love it. Everybody can see it – you work with love. Thanks for everything ‑ Darwin
• I came to Hone Heke Lodge to stay warm during the winter and this is definitely a warm home. After 3 months it is hard to leave here and travel further. I love this place and it’s owners! Thanks David & Victoria for everything. ‑ Nick 
• A very beautiful place! We are all like a big family. I had a great time here. ‑ Saskia
• Well, this was my return to my favourite backpackers in the whole of New Zealand and of course it didn’t disappoint. Most likely I’ll be back again! ‑ Matthew
• Great place to begin my adventures in New Zealand. Will definitely be back again during the summer. Cheers David & Victoria. ‑ Kyle
• Great place to stay. Lovely hosts. Very clean. Really liked it here! ‑ Nadja
• Awesome place, awesome people and a great experience. ‑ Sonny
• Very great and big bed! And the cleanest hostel shower I have seen in New Zealand! -Nora
• Thank you for your awesome hospitality. You accommodated out every need -with our 4 grandchildren too. Beautiful atmosphere, clean premises and friendly, awesome people. Arohanui. ‑ Serena & James and family

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Thank you for this stay in your beautiful place. Keep being just like you are – wonderful hosts & very welcoming. ‑ Antonie
• What I really like from this ‘flash packers’ is that you can enjoy some tranquility if you want or you can join others who are working here who are also really nice. So very good balance. Very good rooms for good rest and a very good atmosphere. Thanks. ‑ Chino
• David & Victoria are the nicest hostel owners I’ve met. They have created such a lovely community. They really look after their backpackers. Spacious and nice rooms as well. Thanks! Best hostel I’ve stayed in! -Zhu Yanling
• I loved this place. I will be back. ‑ Warren
• Thanks David & Victoria. I had a lovely stay and a great show with Joe!! ‑ Ambrose
• Thank you so much Victoria & David for your amazing hospitality. You made our tournament with your support and encouragement to the boys. Truly best accommodation ever. Thanks guys. Awesome week! ‑ Bay of Islands Taniwha Team 2015 (What an amazing group of young rugby talent & a brilliant support team of parents, coaches & managers! It was our pleasure to host you all!)
• It’s so great to come back again. Thanks everyone for taking care of me. I will never forget the Christmas Dinner Party in July! Great memories. ‑ Vicky
• We enjoyed the facilities here. Fully equipped. Spacious rooms & great location. Also offered work. ‑ Yen Yee & Tiffany
• Really cool place! I very much enjoyed the fire and talking with backpackers from around the world. ‑ Austen
• Closest place to home away from home. ‑ Eric (Good luck with the Te Araroa trail!)
•  Awesome place to enjoy and meet fun people. We will come back. Thanks David & Victoria. See you soon. Gracias. ‑ Gabriel and Paula
• It was an awesome week with wonderful people. It felt like home. Thank you. See you soon. ‑ Janina
• You’re very nice people. Thank you! ‑ Glwadys & Jonathan
• Lovely vibrant people & place. Thanks for having us! ‑ Andrea & Sean
• It was awesome here. It’s like home. Thanks guys. ‑ Liam & Neil
• Beautiful, hospitable hosts with great recommendations. ‑ Sally & Sara
• Amazing people and nature!! Had a really good time here. Thank you. ‑ Eri
• Very good hostel. Friendly people and peaceful place. ‑ Etienne
• Great place. Had a great stay. Thank you for everything. See you again soon. ‑ Jennifer
• Thank you for your kindness. ‑ Takeshi

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• We were only here for one night but we can see why it’s so highly rated! Staff were very friendly and helpful and our beds were warm and comfortable! Cheers. ‑ Rachel & Rebecca.
• I’m so glad to have met you. I stayed 2 months too. Time went so fast. I like Hone Heke -it’s like a big family. Working and living together. I’ll never forget all the good memories from here. I will never forget you guys! Thanks for helping me. ‑ Vicky
• Very nice hostel, people and facilities are awesome!! Only stayed for one night but I would love to come back and stay longer. ‑ Pierre
• The cleanest hostel I’ve been in so far! Such a lovely place. The rooms are perfect and really nice people. Thank you very much. Will recommend for sure! ‑ Segoline
• Thanks a lot for your welcome. I was so sick and with your help & the calm here I am better for my next adventure. I have been in a lot of backpackers and this is my favourite! -Chloé
• Excellent facilities, friendly people and an overall excellent place to stay while travelling. ‑ Damin
• Great hostel and people and an awesome Mexican night on the first night. ‑ Jordy
• Very good hostel. Clean and a lot of facilities and entertainment. Nice beds. Awesome. ‑ Christopher, Quentin & Barbara
• Just spent one night but we felt instantly at home. Really nice and heartwarming place. ‑ Anne & Stella
• Very nice hostel and super friendly owners. 🙂 ‑ Tim
• Thanks for letting me stay and helping me find a job. People are nice and good hostel. ‑ Ayami
• Thanks Victoria & David. You made our stay in Kerikeri so nice! 🙂 You guys are GREAT!! ‑ David & Maria
• Owners very friendly. I will be back. -Emma
• Thank you Victoria & David for your hospitality! This is such a wonderful hostel -you guys have great facilities and awesome people! I hope my travels bring me back. 🙂 ‑ Milan
• I had a great time in this hostel. I had so much fun on the Italian night! You guys are AWESOME. Stay cool. ‑ CJ
• Victoria and David went out of their way to make my stay all the more brilliant. Great people & fun hostel. Hope to stay here again. ‑ Naomi
• Thanks Victoria & David. I had an awesome time in Kerikeri! You have a great hostel and it’s fun staying at your place. I’ll be back in the summer. ‑ Martin
• Best place to stay ever!!! Definitely will return & will recommend on my travels. Thanks heaps. ‑ Christine
• Had a wonderful time here in Hone Heke Lodge. Thank you so much David & Victoria. ‑ Florent
• Roses are red, kiwis are gold. Thanks for the amazing time I spent here with you. Great hostel, great people!! Thank you for everything. ‑ Katarina
• Amazing hostel! Stayed for over two months and had a wonderful time. Extremely friendly and helpful host! Thank you so much! ‑ Michael
• One of the most relaxed, comfortable and equipped hostels I have stayed at. Wonderful owners. Greeted with a smile – makes all the difference. ‑ Paul
• Brilliant hostel guys! So many little touches that make it extra special and a home away from home. Thank you! ‑ Emma & Ben
• Absolutely amazing hostel and very friendly hosts. Thank you for everything. ‑ Dominika & Andrej 
• We had the best time here at Hone Heke Lodge! No doubt the most wicked hostel in NZ (maybe the world! ) We absolutely loved it. Thanks for everything. Hope to see you again soon. ‑ Freya & Amanda
• I loved my stay here. Hone Heke is the best hostel I’ve stayed in by far. Couldn’t have asked for better hosts. ‑ Isobel
• Thanks guys. I’ve had a great time. You’ve been so helpful with everything. A lovely hostel with fantastic people. Couldn’t have asked for more. ‑ Josh
• Thanks for everything! We loved staying at Hone Heke Lodge! It’s definitely the best hostel in NZ with the best hosts! Because of you we have had a great 2 1/2 months and now saved enough money for our new adventures! Hope to see yo again. ‑ Steven & Kristin
• Thank you!! We had a great time. Thanks for picking us up and taking us to work too. Home away from home! Best start in New Zealand I could have imagined. ‑ Friedrich, Ben, Doris & Jana
• Wonderful. Nice place. Thank you very much. It was great to be here. ‑ Janika
• Great place to stay on my long hiking travels. ‑ Sarka
• Lovely place. Nice people. Great nature. The perfect place for my last days in NZ! Thank you very much! ‑ Anna
• REALLY lovely to stay here and meet everybody!! I will come back as soon as I can! Thank you for your kindness!!! See you again soon. ‑ Junko

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Dear David & Victoria. Thank you very much for everything. You lodge is the best hostel in Northland! You are such a nice couple. I really felt at home -or better than home -at home I don’t normally meet people every day! If I ever come to New Zealand again I will visit! 🙂 ‑ Isabell
• Absolutely loved this place. David & Victoria were so helpful. Many fantastic memories to take home with me. Thanks for everything! ‑ Rasmus
• Dear David & Victoria! It was really nice here. You have been the best hostel ever! Thanks for everything. I’ll never forget this hostel!!! My favourite Beckhams! ‑ Kian
• Dear David & Victoria. We stayed almost 2 months at Hone Heke Lodge and couldn’t imagine a better start for our journey! We really enjoyed our time at this lovely lodge with nice people from all over the world. You have been great hosts and so helpful. Thanks for everything. ‑ Julia & Lisa 
• Dear David & Victoria. We have absolutely loved staying here and we appreciate all you have done for us. The lodge has felt like home. It’s been awesome! Thanks for everything. ‑ Louise & Gary
• Fantastic time at Hone Heke Lodge. Nice family. Homely hostel. Best in New Zealand. Thank you David & Victoria. ‑ Helmut (he came back before he left NZ and stayed another 6 weeks. We will miss your help Helmut…our kitchen tidying fairy!)
• Very relaxing, chilled place. Enjoyed our stay here. Really great at finding us jobs straight away! Well maintained and fun atmosphere. Thank you for all your help and good luck for the future. ‑ Laurence & Fran
• Thank you for this relaxing adventure in Kerikeri. Everyday with a smile, everyday words of encouragement. A big thank you for this fantastic atmosphere! ‑ Kevin
• Thank you for such an amazing 2 months of relaxed work. Big thank you for David & Victoria for such a homely experience! ‑ Ollie
• Thanks for setting such a high standard for my first hostel in NZ. I will probably have trouble finding other hostels that are suitable because they won’t be as great as Hone Heke Lodge! It’s been a pleasure to spend 2 months here. Thanks for the cheerful and fun environment. ‑ Kit
• Wow – what a GREAT stay and experience. I can not thank you, David & Victoria, enough for all your kindness and hospitality. I hope to see you again in my travels here in NZ. Thank you SO much and all the best. ‑ Hannah-Lee
• It was nice experience to visit Kerikeri and this beautiful place. You really create a cozy atmosphere which is like home. The first time I skyped my parents I them that it feels different than home…..but here I really got the feeling like I finally felt at home in New Zealand! Cheers for the beautiful 2 months we had. It was a pleasure to meet you all. All the best. ‑ Giorgio
• Kerikeri is definitely one of the best places to recover from an injury. Thank you very much for your help at this time. It’s been a great time here in this homely place with all these amazing people. ‑ Freddy
• Thank you very much for your kindness and hospitality. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! ‑ Steph & Alex
• Thank you very much for the awesome time I had here. I felt really good in this great hostel with it’s awesome atmosphere – I couldn’t have asked for a better way to say goodbye to New Zealand. Thank you for the hospitality, the job opportunities and the great life together in Kerikeri. I will miss this place. ‑ Alex
• I can’t believe that 6 weeks passed so quickly….I really enjoyed staying at Hone Heke Lodge. Everyone was kind, friendly and unbelievably helpful. My stay here was a really special experience and the “perfect” ending for my New Zealand adventure. ‑ Lana
• Where to start! Booked one night, stayed almost 4 months! Went so quickly. Thank you for making this feel like a home away from home! Kind, welcoming, friendly, helpful, funny people all make the stay so much more enjoyable. Definitely the best hostel in New Zealand! I will miss this place. ‑ Katie
• Thank you very much for the great time I could spend here. Hone Heke Lodge is a lovely backpackers ‑ one of the best I stayed in! I really enjoyed it. ‑ Lena
• I really enjoyed my time here. Thank you for your help and hospitality. It’s one of the best hostels I stayed at in New Zealand! ‑ Lisa
• Thank you Hone Heke Lodge! I had a really good time staying at this hostel! ‑ Henri
• Thank you for this nice night! Lovely place and nice people. ‑ Pascaline
• Thank you Hone Heke Lodge! I had a really good time staying at this hostel! ‑ Henri
• Thank you for a nice night! Lovely place and nice people. ‑ Pascaline
• Dear David & Victoria, thank you very much for everything. Your lodge is the best hostel I’ve stayed at in Northland. You are both such a nice couple. It really felt like home – or better than home (at home I don’t normally meet people everyday!). If I’m ever in New Zealand I will visit again. ‑ Isabell
• Fantastic time in Hone Heke Lodge. Nice family, homely hostel – best in New Zealand! Thank you Victoria & David. ‑ Helmut
• Victoria & David- you two have been the best hosts of my FIRST hostel in New Zelaand and now I can say that it will always be my FIRST CHOICE. 🙂 Thank you for making me feel like I was at home. xx ‑ Vivienne
• Dear David & Victoria. It’s been lovely staying here with you! It’s been hard work with the kiwis but coming home to this place has made it so much better and a really fun time! Gonna miss you. Take care! ‑ Evelina
• Dear David & Victoria. We’ve now been here for 2 months and it feels like yesterday we arrived. From the start you’ve really made us feel like we’re at home. Night shift has been hard work but definitely worth it in the end. Always nice to get home to Hone Heke Lodge after work. Enjoy yourself and keep this hostel going strong. ‑ Mathilda
• Dear David & Victoria. You have been the best hostel ever. Really cozy hostel. Time goes so fast. I just want to say thank you for everything and I wish you luck with everything. ‑ Ellinor
• THANK YOU for a lovely stay, great help and 2 fantastic months! Without you guys we probably never would have managed! Gonna miss you. Good luck with everything. This is truly a great place! -Ellen

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• After one year of travelling in New Zealand I can say that Hone Heke Lodge is the best hostel I ever stayed in! A home away from home. Thank you David & Victoria for an awesome time here in Kerikeri. ‑ Daniel
• Time to say goodbye for the 3rd time… won’t be the last! 🙂 Thanks for everything. I totally agree with Daniel – Hone Heke Lodge is a home away from home! ‑ Heike
• It’s a great feeling to know that there is a place like home. Hope to see you again. ‑ Manuel
• It’s the best hostel in New Zealand. We truly felt like being at home. Thank you for a nice stay. ‑ Maja & Sara
• Very nice hostel and lovely BBQ! Thanks! ‑ Patricia & Hanna
• We cannot thank you enough for your kindness -helping us find jobs and providing us with a fantastic place to stay. We have made lifelong friends here and have had the best time. You are doing an incredible job here and we hope to be back next time we are in New Zealand! ‑ Harry & Philippa
• Thank you so much! Unbelievable hostel and the “Beckhams” (David & Victoria) are awesome. One of the nicest hostels in New Zealand! -Manuel
• Thank you so much David & Victoria for making our stay in Northland so memorable and happy. We’ve got great memories of the lodge that will stay with us forever. -Laura & Kelly
• What a lovely stay! Thank you so much for the warm welcome. My last few days here in New Zealand and I really enjoyed them! ‑ Hannah
• Great hostel, great people. Only sorry I couldn’t stay longer. ‑ Jaimie
• Thank you! It was (again!) a very nice and enjoyable stay. Whenever I come back to New Zealand I’ll come and visit. ‑ Tim
• Mahoosive thanks!! You guys are beyond helpful, Thank you so much for making me feel so welcome. Wonderful time here! Peace & love. ‑ Amy
• Thank you so much David & Victoria. I’ve had an awesome time here and you two are the nicest people a girl could wish to meet. Much luck with everything. ‑ Jo
• Very nice stay. Thanks! ‑ Laura
• Awesome place and excellent people and great calm, peaceful rooms to stay in. ‑ Balaji 
• I just can not put into words how much I like it here! Awesome Victoria & David! This is seriously the best hostel I’ve ever been to. I could not feel more welcome and I found a new home! Thank you guys soooo much! ‑ Tanja
• Thank you for a wonderful relaxed place. This place is beautiful and has given us space to reflect and find insight as well as friends! Best wishes. ‑ Joseph & Hoang
• What a great place, thank you so much. One of the best backpackers I have seen in New Zealand. -Laura
• Had a good relaxing time here with David & Victoria and their family. Did all the puzzles and got over my jet lag. Lovely weather, great people. This was my 6th time at Hone Heke Lodge – it has been happiness each time! Thank you for everything. ‑ Helmut (Helmut stayed quite a few times over the last 10 years and agrees this place has a lovely soul. He said it was his last ever trip to New Zealand as he said he is too old now….Helmut, lovely to meet you & thanks for being part of the Hone Heke journey!) 
• Thank you David & Victoria for making my stay here the best hostel experience I’ve ever had. You helped me feel welcome, helped me to find work and provided a sanctuary where one away from home can feel at home. Your dream is making people happy & for that I am thankful. ‑ Mick
• Nice stay (again!) ‑ Marc
• Wonderful place. ‑ Sabrina
• Had a great time! Thanks. ‑ Linnea
• Had a really nice stay here 🙂 Thank you! ‑ Melina
• Feels like home! ‑ Mona & Sven

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation

• Probably the most welcoming place I have been in and in over 50 years of walking I have been in a lot. Te Araroa walkers – plan to stay here. You won’t do better. ‑ Chris
• Great hostel. Would love to stay longer, if we would have time -most important – Great hosts! ‑ Jessi & Franzi
• Everytime when I was on a journey during my 4 month stay at Hone Heke Lodge I told people I would return “home” when I went back to this place. Nice and caring owners who keep improving this fantastic hostel. David & Victoria, you are doing a great job!!! ‑ Christopher
• BEST HOSTEL EVER!!! Such generous owners! Very helpful and unbelievably welcoming. Victoria, David & the other guests made me feel so at home here! Love this place. I will never forget you. ‑ Adrian
• Great hostel with great hosts. Thanks for the welcome. We would love to stay longer. Maybe next time we come back to New Zealand! ‑ Coline & Jerome
• If you want to arrive as guests and leave as friends you have to stay at Hone Heke Lodge! David & Victoria, it was a pleasure to meet you. Thank you. ‑ Anna & Bernhard
• Perfect accommodation….very clean and lovely place to stay. Thanks!! ‑ Fabian 
• Thanks for the stay. ‑ Dale
• Wonderful place. Great room and most of all -best hosts! ‑ Mei Lin
• Great sleep, loved the outdoor area. Thanks for the advice about Ngawha pools. Hope to be back. ‑ Michael & Gena
• It’s a great hostel which exceeded my expectations. David and Victoria are very friendly and helpful. I loved my roommates! Thank you ‑ Fanny
• Thank you so much for such a lovely stay! ‑ Meghan
• Great hostel, great people – thanks! ‑ Eric
• We stayed for 2 months for work and it was a very good time. It was so beautiful and the best hostel ever! Thanks for everything. We had a great time here! ‑ Lisa, Markus & Anne
• Honestly I have had so much fun here. So friendly, helpful and smiling all the time. Just amazing hosts. ‑ Sacha
• Thank you for your welcome. The atmosphere was great and I won’t hesitate to come back again! ‑ Victor
• Thank you so much for all your help! I have never been in such a helpful and generous backpackers. 🙂 You’re doing a great job and it’s great karma. ‑ Miriam
• I have stayed at Hone Heke Lodge five times now and for a total of almost 2 months and it’s always great to come back and to see the hostel and the great changes they continue to make to make the backpackers feel great. Love to come back again but it’s time to leave NZ. ‑ Manuel
• Our second time at Hone Heke Lodge was amazing! Great hostel, great people and the best owners we met in New Zealand! Thanks for everything Victoria & David. ‑ Benji, Anna & Nina
• A great place & great people. Thank you. ‑ Ian
• Thanks for everything. ‑ Tom
• Great place! ‑ Laura
• We stayed here for four days and really enjoyed it. Hone Heke lodge is very nice and we loved the Bay of Islands. Thanks a lot and maybe we’ll see you again. ‑ Kerstin & Mark
• Absolutely perfect hostel! Hopefully we’ll be back. Thank you guys. ‑ Johanna & Caroline
• Beautiful lodge & setting & breakfast. -The Flays – Intercoucil Champions 2015!
• Awesome place. Thank you! ‑ Sheree
• Thank you for your hospitality. Enjoyed our stay at Hone Heke Lodge. What a neat place! ‑ Gyanedra 
• Awesome accommodation!! Thank you guys. ‑ Police Ten-7
• Awesome stuff. ‑ Lee
• Awesome accommodation. Absolutely fantastic. Would recommend it to anyone. ‑ Faatuai
• Fab accommodation, mean bedrooms & facilities. ‑ Tangiwhai
• Awesome time! ‑ Teri & Shane
• Awesome place to stay. Thanks heaps. ‑ Jane
• Thank you so much for your hospitality during the weekend. I still believe we won because you sent us to bed early! All of our guys had an awesome weekend and really enjoyed staying at Hone Heke Lodge. Unfortunately, they think we will get that level of service every year at other places too! ‑ Caroline

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Your backpackers is one of the best in New Zealand!! Stay this way!! Cheers. ‑ Joshua
• What a wonderful backpackers – it was a fantastic week. Such brilliant hosts. Hone Heke Lodge has everything you could possible need! Will recommend to everyone! Thank you. ‑ Robin
• Thanks for the stay in the nicest hostel I’ve been to in New Zealand. ‑ Sarah
•  Thanks for everything. Happy way to end my time in NZ. ‑ Kay
• Thank you for your kindness. ‑ Marilina
• Best working hostel!! Thank you very much for the pleasant stay!! 🙂 ‑ Helen
• Thank you for your great hospitality, informative info and great room/shower & internet! ‑ Brian
• Thanks for the great stay and all your support. Had a very good time and I’ll probably be back when the South Island starts to freeze. 🙂 So, see you again! ‑ Yael
• Best hostel I stayed at in New Zealand. I love it here. ‑ Eloisa
• Thank you! Best working hostel ever! The owners are incredibly nice! ‑ Verena
• Thank you so much for the great accommodation! ‑ Marvin
• Thank you for all your fantastic hospitably and support as we start life in New Zealand. ‑ Ian
• Thank you for everything! The 3 days I stayed here were really great. I could use the best knife I have ever seen in a backpackers! 🙂 ‑ Melina
• Thank you for your help! It’s a very good place to live in New Zealand. Very peaceful place with the best hosts!! Thank you very much David & Victoria. ‑ Precila
• The best place to relax from the Te Araroa trail. Awesome help from staff. Cheers. ‑ Peter
• Thank you for a great stay! Our rooms were fantastic and we had a really great time. Hope to see you again soon. ‑ Ellie, Kayla, Jess, Josh & Mike
• Stopped for one night after attending a conference in Auckland. Best beds we’ve had so far on the trip! The entire place with it’s outdoor eating facilities is lovely! I wish you all the best. ‑ Marius
• Very nice place! Thank you for the help and nice welcome! 🙂 ‑ Jessica
• Thank you for everything!! This is a very cosy backpackers. Especially owners so wonderful!! When I have problem, they helped me. I wanted to stay here longer. Many, many thanks. ‑ Noriko
• Very, very nice hostel & atmosphere 🙂 Thank you. ‑ Maaret
• Very nice hostel! Very helpful staff 🙂 ‑ Doris
• Thank you for the great time here with you. We have had so much fun here with all the guys. We hope that we see you again. 🙂 ‑ Rainer & Francesca
• Thank you very much for having us here. You’re running a really nice, clean hostel!! One of the nicest hostel experiences I have had here in New Zealand! ‑ Vanessa
• Very nice hostel. ‑ Kiat
• Ein sehr schōnes hostel, sauber, freundlich, gerne wieder. ‑ Udo
• Dear Victoria & Dave, we stayed here just a short time but it was absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for booking our trip and dropping us at the airport!.It was a pleasure to stay here. ‑ Lea & Carmen
• Sad to leave. ‑ Lachie
• Absolutely beautiful! We’ll be back! ‑ Karin & Markus
• Thank you for the most comfortable bed! ‑ Simon
• What an awesome hostel. Nice trampoline!! 🙂 ‑ Selma
• Super friendly, super nice and super good! Thanks so much for everything. We will come back! ‑ Louisa & Levke
• I had a very nice stay here and I trust I will come back here again at the end of the year to work and live for a longer time. 😉 ‑ Sebastian
• Very friendly and nice people here. It’s the best option to stay when you are working during the day because it’s easy to chill out and relax. Very good. I will come back! ‑ Cornelius
• Lovely wee hostel, one of the best we have stayed in. Would have liked to stay and work just for the bed! 🙂 – Joe & Anna
• Thanks for the lovely stay. ‑ Sandra
• Wonderful stay! Pleasant welcome at reception with your parents! 🙂 ‑ Edelrose
• Had a very nice restful stay after 10 days of travelling. Everything we needed was here. Will be back next time we are in Northland. ‑ Bob & Nella
• Had a really nice stay here. Lovely place! 🙂 ‑ Claudia
• Thanks for your hospitality! 🙂 ‑ Fabienne
• It was beautiful here. Thanks a lot. ‑ Marianne
• Thanks for everything. ‑ Martina
• Wicked hostel. Cool people. ‑ Ollie
• Thanks for the late stay! ‑ Julius

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Tramping Group – Ideal stopping place for our Northland walks. A wonderful facility – we have enjoyed ourselves immensely. An ideal base for our walks, helpful hosts who made us feel really welcome. Had a wonderful week. Lovely hosts. A very enjoyable week. A wonderful week – thank you. A very welcoming & wonderful place to be. Thank you for your thoughtfulness & care. A most enjoyable stay in your backpackers establishment. A great place to stay. Great summer camp. Super backpackers. A super location, good beds. You could not have done more for us. Thank you -just wonderful. On behalf of the entire group -thank you for caring for us so well. We have had wonderful tramps and walks and wonderful welcoming home to return to! ‑ St Lukes Tramping Group
• Great hosts, great hostel, great beds, great people, great time! Thank you for your awesome hospitality! We stayed here for more than 3 months and we would definitely do it again. We’re glad we met you and your nice family because you helped us in so many different situations. Never met hosts that put so much effort into their hostel & guests. ‑ Sven & Mona
• Thank you sooo much for everything. It has been a really nice time. The hostel is great and you are lovely!!! ‑ Susana
• Thank you for your warm energy, smiles, good words, hospitality and love. Thank you for letting us stay in this beautiful little spot in the world. (I love the trampoline and the green garden). I’ll miss the Hone Heke Lodge family. ‑ Meri
• Where do I start? How do you thank your family for looking after you? Because this is how you guys have treated me – like family. It has been beyond expectations I’ve ever had about a backpackers – it’s home. Seriously can’t thank you enough. I’ll be back for sure. ‑ Ash
• From the very first moment I arrived at Hone Heke Lodge I knew that my two days would be extended! Thanks a lot for your generosity. Keep this friendly, special feeling at your place. This makes a huge difference compared with any other place. I’m sure you won’t lose those smiles and passion. ‑ Laura
• One of the best and friendliest hostels I have stayed in New Zealand! A true home in Northland. ‑ Tobias
• Wonderful hostel and amazing owners! I’ll miss you!!! Thank you for everything – the job, the lifts, the ham for Christmas, the pavlova recipe…and so many things!) It was a perfect start to my trip in NZ! I met a lot of nice people and Hone Heke Lodge is perfect! Hope to see you again. ‑ Felicia
• We have never met such nice people. We felt so welcome from the moment we arrived – reminds us of the delicious welcome drink. A beautiful spot to stay. We will highly recommend you. ‑ Denise & Bastian
• We have had a wonderful time here! Definitely the best hostel we’ve ever been to! Thank you guys. ‑ Nina & Jordana
• I came to Kerikeri to do some dives and stayed for 5 nights. I had a great time here -VERY clean and such a nice place to hang out and meet other backpackers. Dave & Victoria are wonderful. Thanks for having me. ‑ Bronwyn
• Now our 3 1/2 months stay ends. We arrived with nothing -no job, no money & bad English (haha)….and now we leave with GREAT memories! We felt like part of a family here and actually do not want to leave it now! But we came here with the aim to travel around New Zealand with enough money and we can do that now! Thanks for everything and see you soon (when we’ve spent our money!) ‑ Janis & Dom
• Got here weary off the Te Araroa Trail and leave here refreshed and ready for more! Your accommodation is exactly what it should be – accommodating! ‑ Mike
• It was a short stay but a really good one. I met lots of nice people and had a great time. Enjoyed the nice atmosphere and location as well. Definitely have to come back some time. ‑ Jan
• Though it was a short stay we really enjoyed your hospitality. ‑ Laura & Alena
• Thank you for your generosity and hospitality. Love Hone Heke Lodge. ‑ Jo and Travis
• Felt really good to be back in Kerikeri after 10 years. Thank you very much for the hospitality. Perfect bed! I really felt like I was at home. All the best. ‑ Johan
• Had the best night here since I’ve been in NZ. I hope to comeback! Thanks, David & Victoria. ‑ Stefan
• Truly a super friendly place!! Thanks. ‑ Celine & Maarten
• Although just the one night I got a real sense of a warm atmosphere and was made to feel welcome by David & Victoria. Cheers guys! ‑ Jared
• Thank you very much for the stay at this wonderful hostel. You, the owners, were perfect and helped us so much with work and everything else! Hope to see you again some time. ‑ Jonas & Tim
• Thank you for the lovely hospitality! I will definitely come back. See you soon! ‑ Timo
• Thanks a lot for the opportunity to stay here. We really appreciated the warmth and kindness you guys put into this place! ‑ Dominic & Michelle
• Only stayed one night but great night’s sleep and great place! Keep up the good work. Thanks. ‑ Dave & Kayleigh
• Thank you for making my stay here amazing! Your hostel is one of the nicest I’ve been to. ‑ Paulina 
• Thank you for the beautiful stay, great beds and relaxing atmosphere. ‑ Helga
• We had a great time in your hostel. Very nice room! Straight away we felt really comfortable . Thank you for taking us to the beach -really nice over there! We will recommend this place to everyone who wants to stay in Kerikeri. ‑ Kimberly & Ard
• Had a lovely stay. Beautiful lodge & beautiful people!! Thank you so much for a pleasant stay! ‑ Nathan & Carly
• Lovely – I wish I could stay a few more nights!! I will be back! Thank you, Dave & Victoria ‑ Cass
• Loved our stay here. Friendly, hospitable & tidy! ‑ Ylai & Jessi
• There is nothing more to say than ‘THANK YOU’ for everything! We hope to see you again. ‑ Lucie
• David & Victoria -you’ve done a marvellous job in running this place – clean, homely & you have all the facilities you need. You’re such wonderful hosts. Thank you!! We wish all the very best. ‑ Liz
• Thank you very much for a wonderful stay in your lodge. You guys are really awesome and friendly. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to our next stay! ‑ Eugene, Cathy, Cathleen, Eugene & Euge
• Thank you very much for your perfect hospitality! It is nice here and the people approach is always most important! Thank you and good luck for 2015. ‑ Ewa & Andrzej
• Thanks very much. Nice and friendly place. Always helped us out – you told us nice sightseeing spots to go and see. ‑ Nico & Alex
• Mabuhay! Daghang salamat. Such an awesome stay here. Will tell our friends about your place. All the best for 2015! -Alma & Rino
• I could write so much after 9 great weeks, but I’ll just summarise it. Thank you very much for the great time in a beautiful hostel with awesome people! I’m really happy that you helped me so much in finding a job and just made my stay awesome. It was so nice to celebrate Christmas & New Year’s Eve in this hostel. So, all in all I have to thank you very much and hope we can see each other again. All the best. ‑ Nico
• Had only one night stay but I can say you have a very nice and I wish you success with your hostel! ‑ Simon
• Wonderful stay in a nice area. Thank you very much and I’ll be back if I am in the area! ‑ Jos
• Really nice place and great hospitality! Thank you!! ‑ Jonatan, Johnanna, Leif & Eva
• Thank you all for a very hospitable stay! Super clean and friendly! If we’re up again we’ll definitely be back! ‑ Smita, Arrit, Alpesh & Nirali
• Lovely to stay here!! ‑ Chiara
• Had a really great stay! You guys are doing a lovely job. Like coming home every night 🙂 Maybe we’ll see you again in the winter time! We loved the double bed! ‑ Yael & Helen
• Thank you so much for the great time and wonderful Christmas here! We wish you all the best!! ‑ Sandra & Luca
• Fantastic stay. Very chilled out place. Great area. Waterfall is amazing. ‑ Aaron & Emily
• Great beds and relaxing atmosphere. Thanks. ‑ Jo, Kat, Kellie & Vic
• Great backpackers! Thanks very much!! ‑ William
• Thank you for an excellent time here in Kerikeri. We have felt right at home and you guys really looked after us. Wishing you luck and all the best. ‑ Will & Tom
• Thank you for our stay. We love you!! ‑ Kim & Kim

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• What a blessing your abode it!! Over the past years I have stayed in many hostels and can truly say none compares to yours. The kitchen and outdoor eating area is so nice and clean. The dorms are spacious and comfortable. The toilet and shower facilities can’t be beat. You all go above and beyond to provide for the comforts of your guests. All of the settings are important and help set you apart. But what defines your hostel is the warmth and kindness you show to your guests. Thank you for being here and thank you for such a wonderful stay. ‑ Luan & Robert (Good luck with the Te Araroa trail!)
• This hostel is the nicest I have seen. It is a really nice place with wonderful people. ‑ Marc
• One of the best hostels in my opinion. Good job guys. ‑ Matteo (Good luck with the Te Araroa trail!)
• One of the best hostels in New Zealand! -Vivian
• In the middle of green and blue there is Hone Heke Lodge. I spent 2 weeks in that wonderful, quiet, friendly hostel surrounded by green hills, river, the sea and the deep blue sky. Was a great spot to explore Northland (Cape Reinga). I will miss it – lying on the trampoline, watching the sky in the warm sun. And I will miss hearing the rooster early in the morning and the birds singing all day long. Thank you for everything!! I love Hone Heke Lodge ‑ Ariane
• Beautiful smiles shared with a comfortable & happy stay from the owners. Enjoyed the quality, peace and ease of my stay. Thank you. ‑ Davina
• Thanks for the nice stay. One of the few hostels I’ve seen so far where I encountered absolutely no problems. Was really nice to stay here. ‑ Philip
• Just a little note of appreciation to let you know how much us guests appreciate everything you do for us all. I love Hone Heke Lodge. With love from everyone at Hone Heke Lodge & Secret Santa!
• It has been one lovely night! Thanks a lot for the beautiful room and the comfy (!!) mattresses! It is really appreciated to see hostel owners who are this nice and do everything to make your stay the best! ‑ Dominic & Lina
• Thanks a lot for the comfy night! Best hostel in Northland! 🙂 I really want to come back again! Nice hosts! ‑ Ann & Henrik
• A wonderful experience, a homely ranch up north, a relaxed family owned place that has been a short but very memorable time. Thank you. ‑ Hyde
• Very nice place and very nice hosts! Thanks! ‑ Anna
• Nice place, also for staying longer but we didn’t have the time for that. We really liked the flair, the people and the hosts! 🙂 ‑ Jana & Nele
• What a wonderful oasis after days of slogging through the muddy forest on the Te Araroa Trail! Thank you so much for your kindness and hospitality to this weary tramper! ‑ Golden Ray
• Thank you so much for everything! We had a great time and enjoyed the community of the Hone Heke Lodge family! You were always helpful, funny and kind. We wish you all the best! 🙂 -Anne & Lucie
• Thank you so much for letting us be part of the Hone Heke Lodge family! We’ve really enjoyed our time here and couldn’t have wished for better hosts. It’s been a pleasure! ‑ Brittany & Katie
• Thank you very much. We had a wonderful time and did really enjoy your place! Lovely people at a nice clean place. Thank you! ‑ Katja, Isabell & Fabienne
• Thank you very much. We had a great night in your house. ‑ Carsten & Wiebke
• It is refreshing to meet two people with so much aloha here in NZ. You’re very positive and friendly and I felt warmly welcomed from the first moment. ‑ Aloha from Hawaii, Jason
• Thank you for a a wonderful 6 weeks at Hone Heke Lodge! We will always remember this place and the nice people we met here! THANK YOU! ‑ Nina, Anna & Benni
• Brilliant place to work and live. ‑ Matt & Joseph
• Thank you for hosting us, taking care of us and giving us the feeling of a little bit of home. We wish you the best. ‑ Tamara & Lisa-Maria
• Cheers for such a great time!! One week here was not long enough. Hope to see you guys again soon. Will never forget this place and the people. ‑ Ellie
• We had a very great stay at Hone Heke Lodge and want to say ‘thank you’. It was one of the best hostel we have stayed at. Cheers for the time!!! ‑ Christina
• Thank you David & Victoria for the nice stay at Hone Heke Lodge. It was like home for us. We will miss you and our big room and your lovely van. Cheers. ‑ Nico & Reike
• Had an awesome time staying here at Hone Heke Lodge. Weather wasn’t great but this place is good even when it rains! “When a man is a traveller…. the world is his home… and the sky is his roof.. where he hangs his hat is his home and all the people are his family” -Andrew
• Top boss, Top hostel, Top country. ‑ Paul
• We had two great and interesting weeks at Hone Heke Lodge. Thank you so much for your help to find work. At the end we can say that working in an orchard is an experience every backpacker should have. ‑ Bo & Sabine
• Great place. I will come back. ‑ Laeticia
• Great stay here. Will come back as soon as possible. Thanks so much. ‑ Gunnnar
• Thank you for the lovely time here in Kerikeri. We enjoyed our time so much and are really happy that you helped us to find a job so fast. ‑ Chris & Marie
• Thanks so much for the wonderful time here at Hone Heke Lodge. I really enjoyed my time here. ‑ Anja
• I had a very good night at your lovely place. The atmosphere was awesome and very comfortable. Wish you all the best. ‑ Lea
• I had a good sleep, great free WIFI and nice people to chat with. ‑ Johannes
• You’ve got such a lovely place. Very caring. A place to feel like home. Thanks a lot! ‑ Boris & Conny
• Thanks for being such caring people. ‑ Giles
• I can’t begin to thank you enough for everything you’ve done for us during our 5 weeks here. You guys are doing an amazing job with this place. Thank you, thank you. ‑ Sarah & Tom
• I’ve had a very great time here. Nice sleep and nice people around me. ‑ Ines
• Had a very good time. Such nice people here. ‑ James & Casey
• A heavenly spot for our blistered feet to rest! Thanks a lot. ‑ Goni & Nadav
• Thank you so much. ‑ Kazumi
• AMAZING!! ‑ Isabelle
• Great place to stay. ‑ Carolin
• A nice little stopover. ‑ Ros
• Home away from home. Thank you so much!! Will return. ‑ Michael
• Thank you so much for such a welcoming stay. It’s a fabulous base to explore the north. I loved my trip to Cape Reinga. A fabulous weekend – thank you. ‑ Lucy
• I felt like part of this super friendly & cool family! I loved it. ‑ Lauren
• This is an amazing place! David & Victoria are SO welcoming and make this place feel like a home for weary travellers. Maybe we’ll be back. ‑ Patrice & Justin (Good luck with the Te Araroa trail!)
• I don’t think I’ve been to a friendlier hostel anywhere. I look forward to coming back again soon. ‑ Mattias
• I had a great time here. Thank you for everything. ‑ Estelle
• Perfect. Amazing place and people. Thank you so much. ‑ Lucas & Chloe
• Just after a few days staying at your hostel it already felt like home. Thank you for helping us find a job. We had such a great time meeting a lot of wonderful people! We hope to see you again. Cheers. ‑ Alice & Jacky
• I will never forget the time here in Hone Heke Lodge. I met such wonderful people and had such a great time with them. I’m very sad to leave, but I hope you will see us again one day. ‑ Viki
• Nice lodge. Friendly owners. ‑ Lorenz
• Thank you! ‑ Samantha
• Going to come here again. Just amazing time here – thanks! ‑ Julia

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation

• Honestly, Organised, funNy, coopErative, Hearty, vEry tidy, Kind, attentivE – this is what makes HONE HEKE Lodge such an awesome place to stay! Thanks to David & Victoria for the amazing time we had! ‑ Josua & Pia
• Outstandingly welcome. Thank you for your hospitality, generosity and welcoming hearts. You’ve made our stay here so memorable. It will always stay with us as will out little card which will be framed and hung in our house as a memory of our stay here. ‑ Stu & Cailin (Congratulations on your engagement guys! So delighted this happened while you stayed with us)
• Such a very nice place! We like it was our home. We will miss you. All the best. ‑ Caroline & Jules
• Thank you for your hospitality and beautiful month. It was the best beginning of my journey!!! ‑ Lukas
• Thank you very much for the last 3 weeks. It was like home for me. Thank you for letting me borrow the bike, for playing rugby and pool! ‑ Slawa
• I had an amazing time are you hostel! Thank you so much for the new experiences I had during my stay. You’re great hosts and if I can I will definitely return and stay here for a second and third time! ‑ Maike
• Thank you for the amazing time at your hostel. Met wonderful people! ‑ Carolin
• We had such a great time here. Best hostel we’ve been to by far! We wish you all the best!! ‑ Leonie & Vanessa
• You are the kindest, most friendly and greatest hosts we have met! Thank you!!! ‑ Katja & Lisa
• Beautiful place, kindest people, absolutely wonderful! ‑ Tom
• EXCELLENT place to stay! Thank you so much for your hospitality and when I come back north I will visit again & recommend. Thank you! ‑ Thomas
• Absolutely nice, cool people and the best beds you can get after a week of camping. Was great – best sleep ever! Thank you! ‑ Christopher
• Excellent hospitality here – I loved it. Very cool place to relax after 1 week of hiking. Thanks. ‑ Nicolas
• I have already written in one of Hone Heke Lodge’s visitor book. I always left and came back because of the nice hospitality here. I will probably come back for Christmas! ‑ Manuel
• Dear David & Victoria. Thank you for everything – especially for helping us buying a car and great travelling tips! We had such a great time which we will always remember! Thank you so much. ‑ Daniela & Florentine
• I can’t believe how friendly you are. It’s great. ‑ Benjamin
• Very nice place. ‑ Peu
• Thank you so much for your hospitality and great BBQ last night. We loved it and will certainly recommend to our friends. ‑ Maria & Anabella
• We had fun here and we will always remember David & Victoria ‑ Thung, Henry & Xiao Le
• Very pleasant stay. I’m glad to have come back. ‑ Hans
• Beautiful place and such nice people!!! ‑ Elena & Lennart
• Nice place. I will be back soon. ‑ Mikey
• Very friendly and we felt welcome. Nice atmosphere and beds! Thank you for everything. ‑ Anne & Viki
• It was my first visit in a holiday park and it was awesome! Thank you very much. ‑ Elisa
• Thank you very much. It was awesome – especially the BBQ. ‑ Claudia
• Really nice hostel. Thank you. You are so welcoming and friendly. Nice BBQ!! 🙂 ‑ Fanny & Mathieu
• It was a fantastic weekend in your hostel. We enjoyed the weather and the BBQ. Thanks for finding us a job! ‑ Stephanie & Sebastian
• Great! ‑ Marc
• Great place. Thank you so much for being so very friendly. ‑ Sonja
• Awesome! –Rene
• Great! So nice. Feel really welcome and it’s cosy. ‑ Sarah & Sarah
• Very nice people and the owners are very friendly. ‑ Roasario
• Great! 🙂 ‑ Arja & Matthias 
• Really nice backpackers. Thanks again for getting me a job. Good idea to have a pot luck dinner! ‑ Leander 
• Nice people. Good sleep. Good time. Thank you. ‑ Johanna
• Very nice place with great people. Thanks a lot! ‑ Nana & Robin
• Thank you for helping us find a job and taking care of us over the last two weeks. You are great! ‑ Bettina & Matthias
• We really enjoyed our time at your hostel. It was the best!!!! Thank you so much for the job you got us and all your help & advice. It’s so comfortable here and we felt like we were at home! We met so many nice people. We will always remember you and hopefully we’ll return one day. ‑ Lea & Monika
• The best backpackers! Thanks a lot for everything. I really felt at home here. Amazing people – like a sort of family. It’s really nice to see people like you who have travelled around, helping us, organising events and being friendly. I wish you all the best for Hone Heke Lodge and I will definitely come back if I am in Kerikeri again. ‑ Simon
• Thank you for your great service and getting me a job. I enjoyed my week here and want to come back on my way back down south! ‑ Nico

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Lovely place and the heart of the owners is somehow in the air 🙂 Nice air! -good for a fresh mind and soul! ‑ Constanze
• Really beautiful. I fell in love with this hostel. Really, thanks – great atmosphere. ‑ Marleen
• Thanks for everything! We had a beautiful stay here and felt very welcome. The hostel is absolutely lovely and everyone is warm-hearted and fun to be with. You added so much to our awesome trip through New Zealand. ‑ Nadine & Kilian
• Best hostel in New Zealand! Firstly they picked us up when we missed our bus from Paihia. Big rooms and COMFORTABLE beds!!! Very nice people and a nice, quiet place. ‑ Tom
• We had just a short stay in they hostel, but it was the best hostel we’ve seen so far! Friendly atmosphere, clean, excellent rooms and the best service! Thank you for everything. We hope we can come back one day! ‑ Bjorn & Max
• Best hostel we have ever been to! Clara & Paul 
• Thank you very much for this beautiful stay. I enjoyed it. It’s a really nice place, clean & comfortable rooms and lovely owners. Hope to see you again. ‑ Marlen
• It was a very nice stay here. There are many things to do -like ping pong and playing pool. The bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen were really clean. When I come back to Kerikeri I will visit this hostel again. Thank you for everything. ‑ Manuel
• It was beautiful staying here at this nice place. Best hostel we have been to. Great landscape and wonderful atmosphere! Thanks for everything! –Erik, Marko & Tom
• What a wonderful place to take a rest. Thanks for a great stay. ‑ Hannah & Marianne (walking Te Araroa trail – good luck girls!)
• I’ve stayed at Hone Heke Lodge twice now during my travels in Northland and I have had a beautiful time. David & Victoria are very nice and try to help you as much as they can. I am sad to leave this awesome hostel and I hope to come back one day if I can. ‑ Richard
• This backpackers is such a nice place! Thanks for creating a feeling of home and caring so much. We would have loved to stay longer. ‑ Sarah & Lina
• Short but beautiful stay. Really nice place. Thank you. We enjoyed it and hope to come back soon. ‑ Sandra
• Thank you very much. Although it was only short, I had a wonderful stay. I baked bread for the first time here 🙂 ‑ Loreen
• Thanks for saving us from spending the night on the street after a long bus journey. It was really nice to stay here. Thanks. ‑ Anni & Beni
• Thank you very much. This place is very lovely!! ‑ Natascha
• Really nice to stay here. Comfortable rooms and kind hosts. Thank you. I enjoyed my time here. ‑ Karen
• Thank you very much for your welcome and your smiles. It’s a nice place to be. Merci pour tout! ‑ Pauline
• Thank you for a wonderful stay. ‑ Stephen
• It’s worth staying here just for the hosts! ‑ Ulrich
• Great visit! Fantastic hostel with great people & facilities! I will be back! ‑ Mark (walking Te Araroa trail – good luck!)
• Nous avons passé un tres bon sejour. Bonne ambiance. Lieve tres propre. Thank you so much. ‑ Helene & Flavie
• Lovely place. Lovely staff. I’ll come back someday. ‑ Stefan
• We had a super nice (but short) stay and enjoyed your hospitality. Thank you & we hope to see you again. ‑ Isabelle, Nadine, Ayumi & Laura
• Thanks for everything. ‑ Patrick
• Lovely place and great owners. I would recommend 10/10. Best place so far! ‑ Tom
• What can I say about this hostel? It is probably the best I’ve been to! Never experienced such a nice place. I feel like I am at home. They care for every single person in this hostel like you are their own children too. Nice rooms, beds, kitchen and lovely guests make this place even better and unique. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to stay here. ‑ Timo
• A very welcoming hostel – well thought out. Very friendly and helpful staff. The rooms are lovely and you won’t find such a good and clean kitchen anywhere. Have met lots of nice people here!. Thanks for everything. ‑ Jonas
• Five beautiful nights – great sleep. The nicest hostel we have stayed in yet in New Zealand. Thank you for everything! ‑ Anja
• Victoria & David – I take with me beautiful memories of Northland thanks for you. After staying here for 4 months, this place will be part of our lives forever. For me Hone Heke Lodge means the time of changes and looking forward to the future with happiness and enthusiasm. ‑ Florencia & Adam
• I only stayed her for 2 days but I had a great time and I would definitely come back if I could. There are lots of kind people here. ‑ Niko
• We really had a wonderful time here at Hone Heke Lodge. Thank you very much for our warm stay. You’re amazing and the hostel is beautiful! We really enjoyed our stay. Muchas Gracias!! ‑ Martin & Ana
• Thank you for the great time here and your supporting attitude. We enjoyed every day and we will definitely recommend this hostel to other backpackers. ‑ Tim, Anna, Justin & Noah
• I really enjoyed my one-night stay here. I came here as a solo traveller but I was welcomed as part of the Hone Heke Lodge family! Thank you so much for the hospitality and all the best! I am going to miss Kerikeri. ‑ Nur
• Such a comfy bed – was hard to get up for work. Very nice environment. Everybody was so lovely. ‑ Ayeesha
• We were happy to stay in this hostel for 8 days. It was a great time with awesome people. We will recommend this hostel to other backpackers and if we come back to Kerikeri we will definitely come here again. ‑ Johannes
• We had such a wonderful time. It’s such a great place for back packers. Than you for the warm welcome. We will miss you. ‑ Nika & Stephanie
• Wow. Awesome. I’ve had a wonderful time here. I will never forget it. Thank you very much. I wanna visit again soon and I will. ‑ Jam
• We had a wonderful time here! Thanks to your great place and kind welcome. We soon forgot about our two days of flying troubles and enjoyed New Zealand and all it has to offer. Merci beaucoup!!! ‑ Marie & Jean-Philippe
• Thanks for everything. I had a nice stay here and will definitely come back again. ‑ Sootin
• Thank you so much for everything especially when we were lost. This is a nice place – shame we could only stay one night. We hope to come back again. –Jane
• Thank you so much for the great time at Hone Heke Lodge. We will come back to enjoy again. –Lennard & Soeren
• Just two nights – lots of rain but I enjoyed my time so much. Nice rooms & great atmosphere. Was a lovely stay. Keep it like that! –Laura
• Thanks for an awesome week, great bed, great facilities -the happiest backpackers around! Will tell everyone to come and stay! –Vicki & Hippy
• Thanks for the hospitality. Unfortunately I can’t stay longer, but maybe I’ll come back again! –Florian
• Beautiful rooms and you’re so friendly – thanks a lot! –Annika
• Beautiful! –Constantin
• Had a great few days here. Very clean and beautiful room. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful and help you with everything. I will recommend your hostel to everybody who will come to Northland. –Tim
• Thank you for the awesome time here. Your hostel is fantastic and everyone is so friendly and helpful. I will recommend your hostel to all backpackers. –Anna

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• I had a wonderful time and really enjoyed my stay here – especially the re-launch party with the nice Maori ceremony & following BBQ. I would totally recommend it to friends and other backpackers. –Mela
• Thank you for the wonderful time. You are great hostel owners. –Kim
• It was lovely to live here even though it was just for one night. Very lovely and kind welcome host. I would like to come back and stay with you guys next time. –Zoey & Raymond
• Thank you for the awesome stay. We had a lot of fun at the work day with David, George & Bob. The table tennis matches against David were hard but fantastic. –Robin & Niclas
• Thank you for the lovely stay. The place is very beautiful, with massive areas to hang out and chill. Loving the pool table and ping pong. The room we stayed in was very clean and homely. We have stayed twice already and plan on coming back again. The people here were very friendly and fun. A peaceful place that makes you feel at home… that when I’m gone I can’t stop talking about it. Thank you again and again and again. ‑ Dan & Nadine
• Although we only stayed for a short time, it was really good fun and we felt at home here. Thank you for helping us and making us feel welcome. ‑ Tabea & Carina
• Got a ride here from a local who recommended this hostel and we did indeed enjoy our stay! We were welcomed in front of an open fire with lots of friendly people. David & Victoria took great care of us – we got a great dormitory to ourselves. The rooms & kitchens were very clean. ‑ Samuel & Erik
• I planned to come for 2 nights and stayed for 4. I made lots of new friends. I would like to thank David & Victoria for the best hospitality I have had anywhere. See you soon. ‑ Manuel
• This place is awesome. I really love this place. ‑ Lionel
• Nice people, great rooms. It was really fun. ‑ Niklas
• So good I came back. ‑ John
• Being here for over 2 months, I love the lodge, the people and the ambiance a lot. Thanks David & Victoria for putting effort into making Hone Heke Lodge a better place and for caring for every one of us. I had a great time here, had lots of fun and good times like ‘Pot Luck dinner’, birthday party and ‘Taco Tuesday’. I had a great stay at Hone Heke Lodge. ‑ Poh
• It was so great here! I just want to come back and join you again. There is nothing that needs to be improved. I really enjoyed it. ‑ Felix
• Thank you very much. Your place is wonderful. I will be back. ‑ Nano
• Thank you for everything. It was very nice to be here! ‑ Sarah & Benni
• The best place I have ever stayed! I hope to come back soon! ‑ Riin
• It was great to come back to Hone Heke Lodge every evening – returning to our little family. ‑ Joe
• Lovely place with lovely people. You make New Zealand a better place! ‑ Hannela & Renno
• We had a really nice stay here and you are a lovely family! Thanks for the attention. ‑ Dan & Eve
• I have stayed here at Hone Heke Lodge for two weeks and I can honestly say it is the best hostel I have ever stayed at. David & Victoria, you are both so welcoming and always willing to help. I loved the rooms!! Such great value for money. I love the facilities – especially the ping pong. I will most definitely be recommending and staying here again. ps Bob is fantastic too! ‑ Carl
• I stayed 5 1/2 weeks and it never felt more difficult to leave a place!! Family doesn’t even describe what we have here… awesome time, awesome people, awesome hostel! Special thanks to David & Victoria who always had ideas to make the stay and the work enjoyable. Thank you so much! ‑ Bianca

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation – August 2014

• The best place I have ever stayed! I hope to come back soon!
• It was great to come back to Hone Heke Lodge every evening – returning to our little family.
• Lovely place with lovely people. You make New Zealand a better place!
• We want to thank you for everything you did for us during our stay. We are so happy we decided to stay here for a few weeks. Thanks for changing our comfortable beds and keeping our room clean. We were always so happy to come home tired at the end of the day to find that someone had cleared the rubbish bins and cleaned our room – thank you so much! Everyday when we finished work we were so happy to see the Hone Heke van and knew that we would come back to a warm and clean hostel full of kind people and a place where we felt at home. You were always so friendly, patient and helpful and we felt so welcome and comfortable in your hostel. All in all, we really enjoyed the three weeks in your lovely dorms. We would definitely love to come back. P.S Your children are so sweet. P.P.S. We loved the bed linen. ‑ Debby, Julia & Lena
• I was only here for a week but I really enjoyed it here. It’s like a small family. Thank you. ‑ Nina
• What an excellent place to come. Felt so welcome here. Home away from home. ‑ Charlotte
• Thanks for taking care of me here. ‑ Joey
• It’s so nice here. You are such a lovely family – our rescue from the wilderness! ‑ Tamara & Anselm
• We are so thankful for everything. It’s a beautiful place. Thank you.
• We love this hostel. It is warm here and has a great kitchen. Loved the sporty things here – like trampoline, table tennis table, pool table and other games. ‑ Kristin & Anke
• I really enjoyed my stay here. Great activities to do, awesome people and great beds! And great movies to borrow too! The kitchen is clean and everything you need is within walking distance. Hone Heke Lodge is an amazing place – thank you for everything! ‑ Verena
• Thanks very much. Had an awesome time here. Hope to come back before I leave. ‑ Thomas
• A really nice place to stay. A place that feels like home, far away from home. I’m sure I will be back. ‑ Daniel
• Thanks for everything. David and Victoria, you are amazing. I’ve never met a couple as kind as you. I wish I could have stayed longer. Stay exactly as you are! Thanks for everything. ‑ Kenny
• I had a great time here. Everyone was so kind. I was only here for a week but I will remember it for a long time! ‑ Min
• Thank you for everything David & Victoria. Hone Heke Lodge is amazing. Such a nice place to call home for a while! ‑ Marko
• David & Victoria and Bob, you have created a magic place called home for most people. ‑ Nicola
• Great place, loved it – thank you! ‑ Tjark
• I had a great time at Hone Heke Lodge. There are lots of things to do around here. David & Victoria are very friendly and welcoming. ‑ Tim
• After a wonderful week it’s time to say goodbye. We had great fun and a lot of new experiences. Thank you for all your help and happiness. Thank you for the very comfortable room. Amazing hostel!! ‑ Laura & Andreas
• Thanks for meeting us from the bus. Your hostel is lovely and peaceful. ‑ Kevin
• Thank you so much for your generosity – your hostel is lovely. ‑ Cedric
• I will miss you. I will also miss the laughter, the pool table, the warm cozy TV room and the fridge & bench in my room! ‑ Nicola
• I had an awesome time here. Love this backpackers. Thank you for everything. ‑ Anne
• We can’t find any words to explain how much we enjoyed our stay at Hone Heke Lodge. Thank you for a great time. ‑ Anna & Clara
• Just one night, but it was soooo good! ‑ Kathy

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• I’m so lucky to have found a family here at Hone Heke Lodge. Which makes it all the more difficult to leave, I’ve learned so much being here, You all inspire me and make me laugh. Victoria & David (and Bob & kids), you’re creating something really special here. I’m very greatful to ave been part of it, even for a short time. ‑ John
• Thank you for the nice time in your hostel. It’s like home away from home. ‑ Charlotte
• Great place to finish my travels. You will be the best hostel in town! ‑ Marco
• Everything was perfect. Just a short stay but we’ll definitely be back. ‑ Valerie
• Awesome lodge. Definitely come back again. Miss you guys. Thanks heaps. ‑ Alex
• It was an awesome stay. Hone Heke Lodge is really comfortable. ‑ Sibylle
• I really enjoyed staying at your nice hostel and meeting all the people. See you again soon. ‑ Joanna
• Lovely place, lovely people. ‑ Bertille
• I just realised I spent 10 weeks here at Hone Heke Lodge. Incredible!! Thank you so much for being such great, friendly and always helpful hosts. I will always remember Kerikeri and the fantastic time I had here at Hone Heke Lodge Kerikeri. ‑ Andy
• Really love this place. Amazing people. Friendly and relaxing atmosphere. ‑ Yulia
• Great beds!! Very relaxing! Thanks for all the hospitality. ‑ Jan & Aaron
• Very nice people. Loved the pool table and the atmosphere. ‑ Timm
• Thank you for your kindness. I love this hostel. ‑ Seunghee
• Had a really lovely stay. Thanks for being so incredibly friendly and welcoming. I only wish I could have stayed longer. ‑ Rachel

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Very warm, welcoming and happy & friendly faces. Spacious and clean. Awesome atmosphere. Perfect place to unwind and relax. Definitely THE PLACE TO STAY in Kerikeri!. Loved it. ‑ Christina
• Best hostel in the North! ‑ Ralf & Basti
• Love this place! Hone Heke Lodge is the best! ‑ Flavien
• Thank you for the nice time at Hone Heke Lodge. If you are staying here you can’t miss your family because it feels like a big family! I love Hone Heke Lodge Backpackers Kerikeri. ‑ Philipp
• Thank you for everything guys. You are the best hostel owners ever! We had an amazing time at Hone Heke Lodge and we couldn’t have asked for more. Cheers for the memories. ‑ Sarah & Ben
• You’re AWESOME! I really enjoyed my night here and nice to meet you! Thanks. ‑ Lina
• We felt really welcome in your hostel. It’s a beautiful place with a great familiar atmosphere. ‑ Irena & Lea
• Thank you so much for all your help & hospitality. It’s great to feel like you have someone looking out for you and a friendly face. ‑ Christina & Emily
• Great to be one of the Hone Heke Lodge. Friendly owners and people. Nice facilities. Love the kitchen so much and the pool table. Thanks for your hospitality David & Victoria. I will come back for sure.
• Thanks for the stay even if it was short. This really is a nice place to stay. ‑ Thomas & Sam
• Really enjoyed staying here. Met so many nice people and have wonderful memories from Hone Heke Lodge. Thanks David & Victoria for everything.
• Thank you so much for the great time here! I really enjoyed being part of the Hone Heke Lodge family!
• Such a nice place. Thank you for everything. ‑ Fabian
• Thanks for letting me stay with you even when it was just short! I loved my room and my bed. ‑ Anne
• Thanks for the welcoming home and the nice week in your beautiful spot. ‑ Ida
• Awesome!!! I wish you the best and see you in Spain. ‑ Virginia
• Thank you for having us. Lovely room. ‑ Lisa & David
• Really lovely place. I won’t forget this place. I love Hone Heke Lodge & will miss it! ‑ Dohyeung & Hyeran
• I really enjoyed being here! Thanks David & Victoria for everything and see you again soon. ‑ Vivian
• Lovely place!!! I won’t forget it. Thanks David & Victoria for what you’ve done. Awesome people around. Thanks for having us. ‑ Kaye & John
• First guest and I’m finally leaving (after nearly 12 weeks!) Thank you so much for having me here for so long and being my New Zealand family. I’ll miss you all so much!! ‑ Selina
• It’s time to leave now! It was awecome to stay at Hone Heke Lodge. We met a lot of nice people. David & Victoria are such a friendly couple and we had a fantastic BBQ. It’s a great place to stay and we’ll be back. ‑ Julian & Marie
• Thank you for a great time in your Hone Heke Lodge. The facilities are great and we loved the trampoline! ‑ Helena & Katerina
• Thank you so much!! Really appreciate your hospitality. ‑ Andy
• Enjoyed our stay and friendly reception.

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• It was lovely. We loved staying with you. It was very special. There is a great atmosphere and everyone was great to be around. David & Victoria are such lovely, warm hosts. Thank you very much! We’ll come back! For sure!
• There are no words to explain how I enjoyed and loved the time spent here at Hone Heke!! David & Victoria, you are amazing. In your hostel you have the entire world… it’s awesome to meet people from around the globe.
• Hone Heke Lodge is THE place to stay in Kerikeri. I will be back definitely. Thank you David & Victoria and everyone.
• Best hostel so far on my travels. David & Victoria are the friendliest hosts I’ve had.
• Lovely and peaceful – had to come back for second time.
• I really enjoyed staying here. I love Hone Heke Lodge.
• David & Victoria are the kindest people I met in all my time in New Zealand.
• Best quality hostel I’ve stayed in.
• This hostel is amazing! I stayed 1 week and always had a clean kitchen & bathroom. The hosts are super friendly and the location is just awesome. I definitely suggest this place!
• Wonderful place, lovely couple. Thanks for your kindness. Lucky Backpackers!
• Cool place to stay. Very funny people.
• We just love you. Sweetest place we’ve been to on our travels. Came for one week and stayed seven.
• It was totally awesome. Everyone was really great and friendly.
• Beautiful, lovely lodge.
• I enjoyed the time at your lodge very much. It’s a beautiful place and I’m really sad that I have to leave.
• Had such a wonderful stay. Thank you for making us so welcome.
• Very good and comfortable.

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Thank you so much for your kindness. Such a great time here -full of love!
• Wonderful stay. Really nice. The owners are really friendly. We really enjoyed our stay here. Thanks.
• You really understand travellers needs.
• Fantastic place. Love it.
• Delighted to have met you all. Wonderful stay.
• Great place, great atmosphere. Best backpackers I had in 6 months!
• The best hostel we had in NZ. Really friendly hosts and nice area with pool table and the wooden tables.
• Warmest welcome in NZ! Thank you!
• Hone Heke were so accommodating, giving lots of local information. Very clean room, comfortable bed, good showers and free fruit! I would definitely come again.
• Really nice relaxed and fun vibe. Love the ‘Flintstone’ tables.
• Lovely, relaxing stay.
• Cozy and friendly. What a lovely lodge.
• It was really nice here. We really enjoyed it.
• Thank you for this amazing stay in this lovely spot.
• Nice location.
• Lovely place! Thank you!!
• Very nice. Thank you.
• Great stay, great people.
• Great place.
• So welcoming – thank you so much.

Reviews of our ‘flash’ budget accommodation 

• Excellent. Thank you for a lovely stay. I will be back!
• Awesome place. Well done! We’ll be back.
• Very nice. Thanks very much.
• Lovely owners. Quiet & nice place. Thanks.
• What a fantastic place! Lovely!
• Lovely peace, lovely people!
• Lovely and perfect.