Kirsty McKay and Mike Sutherland in the brewery at Matakana

An independent brewery just outside Matakana Village – 45 minutes’ drive north of Auckland CBD – Sawmill was established in 2004, and Kirsty McKay and Mike Sutherland became owner-operators in 2009. In 2016 the couple moved the brewery from nearby Leigh to its current home, and opened Smoko Room, a taproom and restaurant inside the brewery that has become a lively hub for the local community and for visitors seeking a genuine local hospitality experience.

Sawmill is New Zealand’s first B-Corp certified brewery, and has a mission statement of protecting and preserving our shared resources – land, sea, soil and water – written into its DNA.

Kirsty Gets Tipsy with us in Matakana.

Coffee

There is a lot to choose from here – go to Leigh Eats for a super relaxed community feel, Ravish for the baking alongside the coffee, and a super cool pop up this summer called six one five, next to Green with Envy. Matakana Coffee Roasters is also a really stylish little spot with great Portuguese tarts alongside the coffee.

Picnic supplies

Stop at Matakana Smokehouse for smoked fish and a myriad of other goods from their store, then hit Goose or Ringawera for bread (both in the village), and the roadside stalls for tomatoes and greens. Make sure you pick up the incredible smoked honeycomb from Honey by the Sea. And hit the Matakana Village Farmers Market on Saturdays (go early!) for dozens of other locally made goods and local produce. Charlies Gelato on the way home. [ed: pick up a jar of Charlies’ whipped feta while you’re there – it’s an absolute dream in the mouth).

Swimming spot away from the throngs

Pink beach, walk around one bay to the south from Omaha, peace!Special occasion dinner spot – and what are you ordering?

Brick Bay: it’s beautiful; you can take a walk and enjoy amazing wine and the extraordinary vision of the Disbury family. Also visit OBV [Omaha Bay Vineyard) for the pinot gris and the views.

Any fab hospitality personalities that stand out?

Kate Arbuthnot who runs the Matakana Market – she has boundless energy, vision and passion for local food and supporting local business.

Accommodation gems

The Green Tent. Very cool and within walking distance from the Village.

Cute or quirky retail spots worth seeking out

Green with Envy – it has its own waterfall! All the roadside honesty stalls. Umi, next door to Matakana Smokehouse is beautiful. Keep an eye out for Frolic Ceramics’ open days too, it’s a stunning studio. Don’t miss the art we have in the Smoko Room – it’s all for sale and from well known New Zealand artists based in Mahurangi.