Ka-uri
Ka-uri
4
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Kā Uri is the gateway to the Far North and Cape Reinga, in Northland, New Zealand. We invite you to experience our special place, enjoy our food, our coffee and our people. Haere mai, welcome! We are more than just a rest stop, we are the spiritual entrance to the most northern points of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Visiting Kā Uri will set the stage for your journey northward, or your day ahead. Kā Uri is where we connect you to the land and the ocean, firstly to our people. Our whanau (family) will offer nourishment, a place to stay, tell our stories as you travel north or stay local. Welcome to our world, we look forward to you enjoying the people, the land and the ocean.
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4.0
67 reviews
Excellent
25
Very good
20
Average
17
Poor
2
Terrible
4
Jonathan S
Invercargill, New Zealand3 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
Having travelled both North and South Islands in the summer of 2012-2013, I can confirm this was the #1 highlight for both myself and my travelling companion. In terms of scenic interest it ranked #1 in the North Island, and a close second compared to Milford Sound in the South Island. Most tour buses stop here on their way up to Cape Reinga, and a visit to the Kauri Kingdom (or "K.K.'') as the locals call it is usually included in the price.
When you walk in the doors you will be transported back to a time when much of the country was covered in dense Kauri and the Moa roamed free. Carvings of Gandalf, bears, a throne, and a large soft dominate the architecturally-designed interior of the building. Then just when you think you have seen it all - you stumble across the trunk of a kauri tree, WITH A STAIRCASE CARVED THROUGH IT - which takes you up to one of the most amazing art galleries north of Wellington.
Who knew ancient Kauri could be so affordable? The K.K. even has a shop where beautiful kauri clocks and egg holders are available to purchase for fraction of their retail value.
The coffee? - quick and to die for. The food? Delicious and so affordable - we even went back for dinner - I don't know what the other reviewers are on about..
The only real downside was having to get back on the bus to continue up to the Cape - the kids didn't want to leave!
Best of all - you can wash your Jandals outside by the bus wash-down for FREE!
We have already booked our trip to Kaitaia for next summer where will be certainly making a visit(s).
When you walk in the doors you will be transported back to a time when much of the country was covered in dense Kauri and the Moa roamed free. Carvings of Gandalf, bears, a throne, and a large soft dominate the architecturally-designed interior of the building. Then just when you think you have seen it all - you stumble across the trunk of a kauri tree, WITH A STAIRCASE CARVED THROUGH IT - which takes you up to one of the most amazing art galleries north of Wellington.
Who knew ancient Kauri could be so affordable? The K.K. even has a shop where beautiful kauri clocks and egg holders are available to purchase for fraction of their retail value.
The coffee? - quick and to die for. The food? Delicious and so affordable - we even went back for dinner - I don't know what the other reviewers are on about..
The only real downside was having to get back on the bus to continue up to the Cape - the kids didn't want to leave!
Best of all - you can wash your Jandals outside by the bus wash-down for FREE!
We have already booked our trip to Kaitaia for next summer where will be certainly making a visit(s).
Written 9 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cuppa C
London, Canada85 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
The workshop was closed to the general public. The shop had been renovated, not sure when, but the large pieces of Kauri wood were moved to the very back of the building. The building is now a tourist trap for those on their way to/from the 90 mile beach tour. The wood carvings were gorgeous, but the prices were outrageous - the least expensive item found was a wooden block for soap for $10 - and was not made of ancient Kauri wood. There were several carvings on display for over $1,000, bowls around $350 - all beautiful pieces of artisan craftsmanship, but who is going to purchase these works or art? There was no educational displays of how the wood was carved, not highlights of a particular artist, nothing. Very disappointing.
Written 3 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Cuppa, thanks for your review. Yes the workshop is closed to the public and is required to be so as it has a lot of machinery and is considered a work safe site under health & safety regulations.
The shop has not been renovated at all at this stage but plans are in placed to do so over the next 18 months, all going well, this will then incorporate large viewing windows to the work shop area.
Nice to see a positive there with your critique on the Kauri products, and just so you know the Soap Blocks are made of Ancient Kauri Wood and like all Kauri Products in the shop are made on site here by our craftsmen.
Currently we are just on 12 months into this business with some very exciting plans for the future including the educational displays you have mentioned, so a great point, these will come with the new premise.
We hope you enjoy the rest of time in New Zealand and would love to see you return in the future.
Written 4 January 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
thatoldbloke
Prague, Czech Republic65 contributions
Jan 2016
We went here to buy some Kauri gifts for our overseas relatives. The place was packed and there was no staff on the gift counter. There was a sign saying to ring the bell for service. The people at the front of the queue rang the bell and nothing happened. After a while they rang it again and nothing happened. So I rang the bell and a woman staff member ran across from the cafe, grabbed the bell and the sign, cursed us then ran back again.
We were shocked! Lots of people around us witnessed this and several came across to comment on such bad behaviour. One man came across and said he was a Kiwi and he was shamed by what he had just seen and apologised on behalf of his fellow countrymen and assured us that this was not normal in New Zealand.
Someone had better go tell that to whoever owns this place. We could only see 2 staff members over at the cafe counter and there must have been 4 busloads of people in the place.
If you are up that way and see the signs for The Ancient Kauri Kingdom just keep on driving you wont find people as rude as this anywhere else in Northland.
We were shocked! Lots of people around us witnessed this and several came across to comment on such bad behaviour. One man came across and said he was a Kiwi and he was shamed by what he had just seen and apologised on behalf of his fellow countrymen and assured us that this was not normal in New Zealand.
Someone had better go tell that to whoever owns this place. We could only see 2 staff members over at the cafe counter and there must have been 4 busloads of people in the place.
If you are up that way and see the signs for The Ancient Kauri Kingdom just keep on driving you wont find people as rude as this anywhere else in Northland.
Written 1 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rikki B
Auckland Central, New Zealand69 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
This is a local wood workshop with a cafe attached more than a tourist attraction. Although it was interesting to see a large wooden staircase crafted from a single Ancient Kauri stump and a few old images of gum diggers etc, there was little else to see. Not a bad place to stop for a coffee or an icecream on the way through but don't plan a trip based on this location. Treat this as a cafe with an interesting staircase.
Written 14 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KiwiSchnitzel
New Zealand90 contributions
May 2013 • Family
Two very clear indices for a tourist trap:
1. High prices
A heavily promoted maori wood carving that is sold for >$400 at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom was seen for only $250 at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe. It was obviously exactly the same model, same wood, same size and same carving. Yet the price at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom was not negotiable at all.
2. Intentionally fooling customers
A big plate behind the counter says "Save 10% GST with overseas shipping!" (GST = New Zealand's VAT). Sounds like a good deal? Sorry, it isn't.
The truth is that all EU countries charge their own regular VAT rate on import goods. The minimum rate in EU is 15%, the maximum is 27%. In Austria, where I am from, it's 20%. So this is ALWAYS a bad deal for EU customers to save the 10% GST.
I can't believe that after decades in business - my first visit at the Kauri Kingdom was back in 2005 - and probably thousands of European customers (plenty of buses full with British, Germans, Austrians, etc. stop there every day on their way back from Cape Reinga tours) they are still unaware of import-VAT charged in EU, so I consider this an intentional rip off to make some extra money with delivery fees.
When I told them by email about the issue I just got a rude reply and after trying to find a solution that makes both sides happy, they didn't reply anymore at all. Awesome customer service!
1. High prices
A heavily promoted maori wood carving that is sold for >$400 at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom was seen for only $250 at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe. It was obviously exactly the same model, same wood, same size and same carving. Yet the price at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom was not negotiable at all.
2. Intentionally fooling customers
A big plate behind the counter says "Save 10% GST with overseas shipping!" (GST = New Zealand's VAT). Sounds like a good deal? Sorry, it isn't.
The truth is that all EU countries charge their own regular VAT rate on import goods. The minimum rate in EU is 15%, the maximum is 27%. In Austria, where I am from, it's 20%. So this is ALWAYS a bad deal for EU customers to save the 10% GST.
I can't believe that after decades in business - my first visit at the Kauri Kingdom was back in 2005 - and probably thousands of European customers (plenty of buses full with British, Germans, Austrians, etc. stop there every day on their way back from Cape Reinga tours) they are still unaware of import-VAT charged in EU, so I consider this an intentional rip off to make some extra money with delivery fees.
When I told them by email about the issue I just got a rude reply and after trying to find a solution that makes both sides happy, they didn't reply anymore at all. Awesome customer service!
Written 1 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lulu1106
Ahipara, New Zealand177 contributions
Jan 2012
Plan to stop for a coffee and tour about the shop. The carved staircase out of a huge 45,000 year old swamp native kauri log takes you inside the log up to the next level of the shop, unbeleiveable. The staff are helpful with all needs to send any souveneirs you would like to send home. The restrooms are clean and theres plenty of toilets. There is no charge to this attraction.
Written 18 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gina P
Auckland Central, New Zealand33 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
Some beautiful carved pieces, a nice look into the history. Also a nice place to sit and have a coffee relax a little.
Written 27 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NamFahBluewaterworld
Surin, Thailand3,191 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
The food was average nothing special does the job. The food was not too bad for you if you really hungry. Staff were helpful.
Written 9 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnSB3
Wellington, New Zealand743 contributions
Dec 2017 • Friends
A very impressive display of kauri products made on the premises by the local iwi’s own craftspeople. Salad bowls at up to $500 each and ornamental craft standing a metre plus tall at up to $2000. Apparently, the Asian tourists go mad for the stuff because it is irreplaceable. It is all kauri dug up and is carbon dated to be at least 45 000 years old. Smaller items – chopping blocks and the like can be bought for under $30. The displays are impressive and the cafe is good too. The owners have ambitious plans to expand the business and it’s doing good trade from tour buses and cruise ships. Well worth a stop even if you don’t buy much.
Written 14 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
totravel18
Auckland Central, New Zealand8 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
First time here in a couple of years. New owners started this week and what a difference in only a couple of days.
The food was delicious and the products to purchase in their shop was full with a great range starting to appear.
The staff were very friendly and helpful.
It was a pleasure to visit and will return.
Free WiFi finally, yipee
The food was delicious and the products to purchase in their shop was full with a great range starting to appear.
The staff were very friendly and helpful.
It was a pleasure to visit and will return.
Free WiFi finally, yipee
Written 21 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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