World rating awaits as Hokianga hotel hits 100

Omapere Tourist Hotel, nestled at the entrance of the Hokianga Harbour, celebrated its 100th anniversary this year and with its centenary comes a new future as the hotel becomes the first international Northland west coast hotel.
Lloydd family members are proud their historic hotel is to become a franchise member of the Millennium, Copthorne and Kingsgate Hotel chain, to be renamed Copthorne Hotel and Resort Hokianga.
The beautiful old-style kauri villa hotel, set on two hectares of manicured lawns and subtropical gardens, has been owned and operated by the family for 16 years.
In earlier years the hotel was owned by the Bryers family and moved from being a private dwelling to a boarding house.
There have been several proprietors since the Bryers and the original building still forms the main centre of the hotel.
Many early photos of the hotel, dating back to the days before a jetty was built nearby, can be seen in the hotel bar.
Max and Gayle Lloydd have made extensive additions and alterations over recent years and much of that has been instrumented by Harry Irwin and his partner Erica Lloydd.
Max Lloyd's vision together with Mr Irwin's expertise and craftsmanship are apparent in the latest addition of 12 luxurious, executive beachfront units, due to be officially opened on Monday, December 27.
The new units have been built to cater for growth in Northland tourism and the hotel now offers 37 accommodation units, conference and bar facilities as well as bistro and a la carte dining.
Maori cuisine, with locally sourced produce and fresh crayfish caught and cooked daily, are features of the hotel menu.
Owners say the hotels subtropical setting offers a unique venue for weddings and further developments are planned.
Next year the hotel will launch a Tour Desk service, which will offer guided walks and trips taking in the Waipoua Forest and Arai te Uru with interpretive talks, focusing on the natural aspects and significance of these locations, by local guides.