At the end of a cul-de-sac in the quiet settlement sits the holiday home of John and Pam Komene.
At the front of their property sit the cars which regularly transport them, and their extended family, from their Dunedin and Christchurch homes to a place of rest and plenty of laughs.
The couple bought the crib on a whim after stopping with their three children for an ice cream at the local shop.
"There was a Property Press and we saw there were two auctions on that day.
"We gave this one a go and we got it," she said.
For the past 12 years, it has been their seaside escape, which they share with Mrs Komene's six brothers and sisters and their families.
"I love being by the sea," Mr Komene said.
For him, Karitane is the perfect place.
"It's just the right spot to come to. It's got everything."
A pub, shop, bowling club, school and fishing club all service the area.
Over the years, more people from out of town have bought property here.
Some have even built large, expensive houses, which sit alongside the small and traditional homes in the village's sea-themed streets.
A whale-shaped sign greets visitors travelling north along Coast Rd, piles of cray pots can be seen in yards and boats are as common as cars in driveways.
Views of the coast, estuary and rolling hills are plentiful and the village's feeling of isolation, despite it being just 30 minutes from Dunedin, makes it an easy getaway when a spot of unwinding is called for.
The Komenes' grown children now visit with their children, meaning there are five generations who stay at the crib for long weekends and holiday periods.
The most people they have crammed into the two-bedroom house is 38.
Mattresses are stacked in the corner of one room, ready to be laid out in the lounge come bedtime.
Tents can often be seen sprawled across the front and back lawns, and for those lucky enough, there is always the affectionately named "penthouse" sleepout to doss down in.
Strict rules may abide - no drinking before 4pm - but days spent in Karitane are all about relaxing and having fun.
A fair amount of time is passed "drinking and playing cards" and competing in petanque, but going to the beach or fishing are firm favourites, as the "liar board" of the family's fishing feats attests.
About four years ago, the siblings went in together and "bought a shack" across the street.
It was pulled down and, after a year of building at weekends, a brand new crib was ready.
When space gets too tight at the original Karitane crib, the family spills into the other, or rents it out.
Having so many people staying in one place can be chaotic, but Wendy Haley-Broderick finds it relaxing.
"It's just nice and peaceful and it's good for the kids to get them out in the fresh air," she said.
