About Us

Rog and Jude Sonneland

Jude and Rog have lived and worked in the area for almost 40 years. They know and love the Sounds. Roger was born in Washington State, USA and travelled for many years before settling in the remote outer Pelorus Sounds (Marlborough Sounds) with Jude. Jude came from Auckland originally and is a 5th generation New Zealander  who loves her country passionately and this  influences what Ngaio Bay offers you…an authentic and personal view of the New Zealand experience.   Another big influence is their support and practice of sustainability and  environmental awareness . They have raised a family of five children here (including a son with special needs), now all  adults and living their lives in various places in the world. Jude also worked previously as the community rural health nurse. Roger is a well known photographer who looks intimately at nature using natural light  and perfect compostion to explore the inner landscape of flowers, especially roses, NZ flora and ferns. You will feel special and nurtured after a day or so at Ngaio Bay. It’s like being at home, only better. Rose lovers and gardeners will feel especially at home. Enjoy pohutakawas in full bloom in early summer. Explore the coastline, swim, dive, fish or laze on the beach or verandas. Walks, activities, and charter boats are available in the area. An outdoor, fire-heated bath overlooking the beach is a sunset, moonlight, storm-tossed or starlight treat.

Ngaio Bay

Ngaio Bay, 5 km before beautiful French Pass, looks NW to D’Urville Island just across the water, ocean, mountains and sunsets. A magnificent wild coastline, abundant marine life, dolphins and seabirds. A wilderness gem! Take the spectacular, long and winding road from Rai Valley, Marlborough, through bush, forest and farmland to our remote, secluded, sandy bay. It is an hour and a half of vistas and wilderness, passing through the small settlement of Okiwi Bay en route. Our home nestles in a lovely garden, beside the sea on the Northwest tip of the outer Sounds, opposite D’Urville Island, a short distance from the awesome waters of French Pass. Marlborough, located in the northern region of New Zealand’s South Island, stretches from coast to coast. We are approximately two and a half hours from both Nelson and Blenheim and nearly 3½ hours drive from Picton. Turn left at our mailbox.. “The Sonnelands Ngaio Bay” and drive down 1.75 km to our home. Phone first for directions, also for instructions in wet weather. Phone: 64 3 576-5287