Max and Suzanne Taylor
About us
My name is Max Taylor thanks for visiting. Suzanne and I live on our 535 acre (217 ha) farm property beside our deer farm at Mangatangi, 45 minutes south of Auckland, New Zealand. Our home, (35 acres) which was built in 2002, has good horse facilities and was the site of Montana vineyard until the late 1970's.
We spend our spare time at our beach house situated on the beachfront at Whitianga.
Whitianga, on the Coromandel peninsula, is about 2 hours drive from Auckland.
I am married to Suzanne and have four sons. Blair (28) James (25) Lyle (22) and Lee (20).
Our farm - Puketoki Farms runs deer, sheep and beef cattle.
I am a Chartered Accountant, and Suzanne has a law degree, although we are both now involved with farming and hotel activities.
Puketoki Farms
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Our farm, situated at Mangatangi, is 10km south of the Bombay Hills, and about 45 minutes south of Auckland . Area farmed is 535 acres or 216 ha. The main products we supply are venison (30k jpg) and deer velvet. We farm 1000 deer, 200 sheep and 100 beef cattle. Each year we harvest velvet (deer antler) from our stags and produce also produce venison (deer meat). The main markets are Korea (for velvet) and Germany for venison. The NZ Game Industry Board has some interesting information on deer and velvet products. Deer velvet org is a web site that has information on the numerous benefits of deer antler velvet. The venison product is sold under the Cervena brand name.
Suzanne has 6 purebred belted Galloway cattle , from which we are breeding. Lately we have upgraded our farm tracks and created several ponds with our 14 ton Daewoo excavator
Kelly Donaldson is the farm manager.
Horticulture and marketing
Kapowai Avocado Ltd
One of our investments includes a share in a 100 acre (40 ha) avocado and kiwifruit orchard at Coroglen which is on the Coromandel Peninsula about 2 hours drive from Auckland. We have around 1700 avocado trees we also grow 30 acres (12 ha) of both green (Haywood) and gold Kiwifruit.
There is a picturesque river on the boundary with a great swimming area. Our friends Jim and Charlotte Mackereth are co owners. Recent pics of the avocado and kiwifruit farm are here, here and here.
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Wine
Along with Kapowai Avocado Ltd we have purchased the 2007 harvest from a well known and award winning vineyard in Tolaga Bay, on New Zealand's East Coast. The vineyard is owned and run by Roy and Sue Johnson. Our winemaker John Thorpe from Gisborne has the responsibility for making top quality wine from what promises to be one of the best vintages for years.
Tolaga Bay Estate grapes, being the farthest east in New Zealand, are the first in the world to see the sun and the fertile soils of Tolaga Bay provide an ideal location and climate in which to produce outstanding wines. Wines from Roy and Sue's vineyard have produced more than 20 award medals in the last 3 years.
The 2007 harvest provided over 170 tonnes of chardonnay and muscat estate grapes producing around 14,000 dozen cases of wine.
Hotels
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We own 4 hotels in New Zealand - Coroglen Tavern, the business of which we lease out, and Whitianga Hotel, Admirals Arms Hotel and Counties Inn which we operate.
Whitianga Hotel - Whitianga
Whitianga Hotel is situated on the waterfront at Whitianga. The hotel was originally built in 1865 and is the oldest commercial establishment in Whitianga. Recently we upgraded the Sports Bar and added the Blacksmith Kitchen, serving bistro meals. The bar fronting the Marina is called the Salt Bar and serves a wide variety of food and wine. The Salt Bar & restaurant has recently been extended by the addiion of a large deck area the and building a new bar that features Heineken beer on tap. :Salt" is proving a popular venue for weddings. You can book the restaurant on 07 8665818. The Hotel has 10 rooms of accommodation. More info is on the website link above. Dave Simmonds, our partner in the business, manages the hotel.
Mercury Bay is well worth the time to visit.
Coroglen Tavern - Coroglen (Winner "Best Country Hotel" 2008 H.A.N.Z awards)
Established in 1946 the "icon" country pub called - Coroglen Tavern ,15km from Whitianga, was purchased by us in 2003. David Russell and Gerry lease and manage the Hotel. The stage and garden area have recently been upgraded to accommodate up to 2300 people. Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes performed to a full house and every summer many of NZ's favourite bands play at the Tavern. The hotel has featured in a NZ Herald article. Click the website link for info. In late 2006 a large outdoor canopy over the outdoor area was completed. This provides shelter for over 1200 patrons on band nights and makes a great venue.
The "Coroglen" beat out strong competition to win the coveted "Best Country Hotel in NZ" award at the 2008 Hotel Industry awards. An achievement of which to be proud!
Admirals Arms - Coromandel
The Coromandel Peninsula is becoming a must see tourist destination.
In November 2005 we acquired the Admirals Arms Hotel in Coromandel Town. Coromandel is 40km from Whitianga and a 2 hour drive from Auckland, The Hotel, formerly known as the "Golconda" was built in 1872. Dennis and Ngaire Irwin, prior owners, refurbished the Hotel to a high standard. It has a restaurant upstairs and a nice garden bar. The sports bar features a TAB and gaming machines. An accommodation wing upstairs can accommodate 12 people. Handle club night every Friday is always popular as is the live music.
Noel Pearce and his partner Maria Woods manage the hotel. Hugh Williams, their bar manager, is the longest serving employee with 28 years service, and still manages to turn out for the local Coromandel rugby team along with 2 his sons. (albeit a little slower than in his prime).
Contact details are ph +64 7 866 8623 or email admiralsarms@gmail.com .
The Hotels restaurant upstairs, is managed and run by Chef - Jon Monaghan. The restaurant is popular with tourists and locals and recently received the coveted beef and Lamb award for the secPhone for reservations on 07 8668020.
Counties Inn - Pukekohe
Suzanne and I own the Counties Inn at Pukekohe. The hotel is 35 minutes drive from Auckland 's CBD and 30 minutes from Auckland International Airport. The hotel occupies an area of about 1.5 ha and is located on the main highway into town at 17 Paerata Rd, Pukekohe about 1 km North of the main street (King Street).
Counties Inn features accommodation (20 rooms), licensed 70 seat Jazz Restaurant and Bar, sports bars with TAB and gaming room, a Liquor Centre wholesaler , 3 conference rooms for up to 200 persons. Nick Bradley is general manager of the Hotel.
Pukekohe is my home town and is one of the faster growing areas in New Zealand. Pukekohe is well established as a market garden and farm service centre and features a racecourse and Grand Prix track. It is home to the Counties Steelers rugby team.
To contact Counties Inn for reservations or bookings phone +64 9 238 9319 fax +64 9 238 3076. Email countiesinn@gmail.com .
Tidewater Tourist Park - Coromandel
In partnership with Noel Pearce and Maria Woods we have a 50% share in Tidewater Tourist Park at Coromandel Town. The property comprises 0.6 ha (1.5 acres) and is 3 minutes walk to the main shopping centre. The camping ground has 6 chalets a backpackers complex with 20 beds and a 100 year old historic homestead. There are camping sites, (some powered) for camper vans, caravans and tents. Good views of the harbour and its central location mean the holiday park is popular all year round. Mary Lee manages the complex. For enquiries please phone Mary on 07 866 8888 or visit the link above.
Apartments
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We own apartments in Auckland and Bali that are available to rent.
Jayakata apartments -Legian, Bali
We have apartments available to rent in Bali. They are situated at Legian near Kuta and are part of the 4 star Jayakarta Hotel complex. Guests are able to use all hotel facilities, including tennis courts, gym, pools etc. Our Balinese friend Nyoman Suandi manages the apartments for us. Check the Bali apartment website for rates and more information. You can email Suzanne at suzannetaylor53@gmail.com or Suandi at suandi01@hotmail.com . Our phone number is +64 21 051 4378 NZ or phone Suandi in Bali at +62 81 2364 1150 - Bali, Indonesia. We have been going to Bali since 1990 and enjoy our time there.
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Ilikai Apartment #1528 Hawaii
Our apartment, on the 15th floor, at the Ilikai Hotel, is situated at the gateway to Waikiki in Hawaii. The Ilikai was made famous in the opening credits in the famous 1960's TV series "Hawaii Five O". The apartment is within easy walking distance of Ala Moana Shopping Centre and all Waikiki beach attractions. Famous people who have stayed there include US Presidents, Elvis Presley and Marilyn Munroe. The Ilikai is one of only two true condominiums that are on the beachfront at Waikiki.
Outrigger O~CE~N Bali apartments
-Click here for website (Outrigger site) Click here for website (Developers site)
We own a 3 bedroom penthouse on the (top) 5th floor of the 5 star Outrigger O~CE~N development on the beach at Legian near Kuta, Bali. This apartment features a large deck area and spa pool and is appointed to a high standard. The complex is managed by the well known and respected Outrigger group based in Hawaii. O~CE~N was developed by our friends Mark and Gary. Our picture galley is below.
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Click (numbered) links here to see full pictures: 1 2 3 4 5
Youtube video - Outrigger O~CE~N #408
Auckland - Metropolis Apartments
We have apartments in the Metropolis building in Auckland. Its the third tallest building and one of New Zealand's best hotel and apartment complexes. We have information on our Metropolis webpage. These apartments are available for short or long term stays, please click on the website link above.
Interests
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Suzanne and I enjoy travel and shopping. We both jog, or ride our bikes regularly to keep fit. I like golf and fishing when I find the time. Most days we browse the internet and keep in touch with fiends and colleagues via email - its amazing what a fantastic resource this is as it allows us to do our jobs from our place at the beach!
We enjoy going to our batch at Whitianga overlooking Mercury Bay where the fishing is great. Check out the latest hapuka (groper) and snapper we caught! On a recent fishing trip we snared a 14 lb crayfish which we called Albert. Jim wanted to set Albert free, but after a vote we ate him! We have a 43 ft Hatteras fishing launch.
One of the jobs I love doing is roasting coffee, I have my coffee roaster at the Whitianga Hotel and can roast up to 10 kg of green Arabica beans per roast. I have experimented with beans of different origin and have found a mix of Kenyan and Colombian to give the best flavour. If you don't have a coffee roaster - buy a popcorn roaster and use that.
Suzanne, who completed a law degree at Auckland University, enjoys cooking and wines. Our pets include a birman cat called Scummy, and a golden retriever dog named Chloe, a talkative Sulphur Crested Cockatoo named Oscar, 4 horses (including a Kaimanawa NZ native horse) and a selection of tame cattle with various obscure names. My latest project is learning to fly. I have a Cessna 172 N and recently joined the Mercury Bay Aero Club. I don't know anyone yet who will volunteer to fly with me but it is something I have wanted to do since I was young. Flying time from the farm to Whitianga Hotel is 17 minutes compared to a 90 minute drive!
New Zealand
New Zealand related site. Check out some interesting information about us.
See some scenic photos and read what this tourist writes about our country.
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Send me email maxtaylor@gmail.com
Mobile phone +64210514378
Mailing address: Montana Road, RD 3 Pokeno 2473, New Zealand
Homepage reference http://www.puketoki.com/home.html
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