We nearly drove past it, assuming it to be a tourist trap. But we were feeling the need for a break and decided to stop, and we were glad we did. There is no entrance fee. You can walk around the gift shop and admire all of the beautifully crafted wooden products. The centre piece is a massive Kauris trunk, which forms the spiral stair case that takes you up to the mezzanine level. Out back, you can view wood workers (when they are in action). And you can also buy unfinished wooden bowls and furniture, which a do-it-yourself kit to finish it off yourself. Check out the $32,000 Kauri lounge and ask to see the photo album of how the made the staircase. I relented an purchased a NZ$60 kauri chopping board complete with certificate of authenticity and carbon dating to 30,000-60,000 years old (that equates to $1 per 1,000 years not bad value I reckon).
They also have a cafe with homemade treats and toilets, so it is a good place for a break.