Five years ago, Toka Ridge was the home of two rather large cows in three small paddocks. Cows are less than ideal land use in the Rotorua basin. Quite simply, cows produce effluent, which goes into the soil and eventually leaches into the lake where it compromises lake water clarity and quality. Since moving onto the property at 512 Hamurana Rd in 2003, it had been our intention to change the land use as soon as the District Plan regulations freed us to do so. Fast forward circa 15 years and the family were faced with decisions about what to change it to. The decision to subdivide the land was agreed and a lengthy process finally yielded two extra titles.
We had plans drawn up for what is now Toka Ridge, but were still unclear exactly what we were going to do – executive style rental or Air B and B style accommodation. After a lengthy discussion and financial analysis, we opted for the latter and got the builds underway. This occurred just prior to the Pandemic.
Welcome Covid 19 and the start / stop build process commenced. We sat up in the half-built houses one evening, looking at the derelict building site and wondered (as did many others at that time) where it was all going to end and whether anyone would ever come and stay! Runciman Builders worked tirelessly with Kirstine Jolly (matriarch) to achieve the finishes in the houses. At the same time, Liam Jolly was renovating Above Par, the house on the golf course, so team Jolly had a busy pandemic!
By the time we got to the Toka Ridge fit-out, imports had well and truly been slowed by international shipping delays and it was often a case of taking what was available, with no actual selection options.
We worked with the team from Steiners in Rotorua, who helped achieve the luxury eclectic furnishing vibe which was the essence of the design brief. All the art throughout the houses was sourced locally, with the bulk of it produced by Kirstine Jolly (during the lockdowns).
We opened Toka Ridge and Above Par in April 2021, and enjoyed a low occupancy of around 40% before the next lockdown! Like many businesses, we were very grateful for the staff wage subsidies, but were gagging to just get going!
Now we are enjoying a first summer of true ‘business as usual’, with visitors from New Zealand all over the world. Since opening, we have developed the beach access and amenities for all to enjoy and have future plans to expand Toka Ridge and its amenities.
We hope you enjoy your stay in our small piece of paradise and would love to see you back again soon,
Nohu haumaru ka hoki mai ano!
Stay safe and come again,
The Jolly Family
