JAG Farms Ltd – The Farm & Lodge

Experiences & Activities

Matakana Island offers simple, grounding experiences shaped by tides, weather, and the rhythm of farm life. Nothing here is staged. Everything is real — the land, the people, the kai, and the work.

Please Note: Activities are not guaranteed. They depend on weather, tides, safety, season, and John & Ave’s schedule. Respect for the Island’s whānau and environment always comes first.

Farm Experiences

Guests may observe or join light farm activities when safe and appropriate.

  • Morning farm walk
  • Dairy shed visit
  • Orchard and garden tour
  • Animal care basics
  • Machinery and farm operations overview

Food & Kai Experiences

Food here is connected to land, sea, garden, and home.

  • Garden-to-table cooking
  • Bread and baking sessions
  • Preserving and pickling
  • Outdoor fire cooking
  • Seafood preparation when seasonal and permitted

Coastal & Nature Activities

The Island is long, wild, and shaped by tides and weather.

  • Beach walks
  • Shellfish gathering with local guidance
  • Birdwatching
  • Night sky viewing
  • Landscape and coastal photography

Harbour & Fishing Activities

Fishing is part of life in Tauranga Moana.

  • Shore fishing
  • Small-boat harbour trip when safe
  • Netting demonstration by arrangement
  • Fish cleaning, smoking, and meal preparation

Culture & Community

Cultural experiences must be arranged respectfully and only when supported by local whānau.

  • Story evenings
  • Whakapapa and island kōrero
  • Historical walk-throughs
  • Music and reflection nights

Simple Free-Time Activities

Some of the best moments are the quiet ones.

  • Read or relax in the lodge lounge
  • Walk farm tracks with boundary guidance
  • Enjoy sunrise and sunset from the decks
  • Sketch, journal, or photograph the landscape
  • Unplug, unwind, and breathe

All experiences at JAG Farms Lodge are shaped by respect — for the land, the farm, and the people who have cared for this place for generations.

Contact & Inquiry