Our Vision

Our vision is to redefine what luxury can feel like — grounded, intentional, and immersed in untamed wilderness.

At Te Aka, luxury isn’t about excess or perfection. It’s about space. Space to breathe, to feel, to reconnect with your senses and the living world around you. It’s about waking with the forest, finding your rhythm, and feeling held by a place that hasn’t been overly curated or rushed into being.

We envision Te Aka as a sanctuary for those seeking depth over distraction. A place that invites presence rather than productivity. Where the experience is shaped by light filtering through the canopy, shifting weather, birdsong, and stillness — not schedules or expectations.

Guided by the whakataukī:
“Ko au te whenua, ko te whenua ko au.” I am the land, and the land is me.

For us, this speaks to a way of living and hosting that is deeply connected to place. Te Aka is not something separate from the land it sits within — it is an extension of it. Every decision, from where the treehouse stands to how it is built and shared, is informed by listening to the environment and allowing it to lead.

Our vision is to offer a stay that feels settled, honest, and alive — one that reflects our values, our love for this part of the West Coast, and our belief that when people are given time and space in nature, something meaningful shifts.

Our Why

Te Aka exists to honour a slower, more intentional way of travelling.

In a world that often encourages people to rush from place to place, we wanted to create something different — a stay that invites you to pause, arrive, and truly experience where you are. Te Aka was never designed to be a stopover. It is a destination in its own right.

This pocket of the West Coast is something special. Tucked away in Nelson Creek, surrounded by regenerating forest and native bush, it still holds a sense of remoteness, quiet, and authenticity that is increasingly rare. The land here asks you to slow down, to notice the light, the birdsong, the changing weather, and the deep calm that comes from being immersed in nature.

We believe in slow tourism — travel that is thoughtful, immersive, and respectful of place. Te Aka was created to offer an experience that allows both locals and overseas visitors to connect more deeply with the land, the rhythm of the environment, and themselves. Whether you’re arriving from just down the road or from the other side of the world, the invitation is the same: stay long enough to feel it.

This is why we ask guests to stay a minimum of two nights. It takes time to soften into a place like this. Time to step out of urgency and into presence. Te Aka is about quality over quantity — fewer guests, deeper experiences, and a genuine connection to this remarkable corner of Aotearoa.

Our Legacy

Te Aka is part of a living, evolving ecosystem — one that is actively regenerating and thriving.

The land here is diverse and dynamic: regenerating native forest, wetland, and pockets of original rainforest working together as one interconnected system. Birds, insects, fungi, waterways, and trees all play their part. This diversity is not accidental — it is something we protect, observe, and support through careful stewardship and long-term thinking.

We see ourselves not as owners, but as kaitiaki — temporary guardians entrusted with the care of this whenua. Our role is to tread lightly, to enhance what is already here, and to allow nature the space and time it needs to flourish.

Many of the materials used in the treehouse were sourced locally, some with deep roots in the valley and our own family history. Timber milled nearby, matai reclaimed and gifted, small details chosen with intention — each element reflects a commitment to longevity, craft, and respect for place. Te Aka is not a disposable experience. It is something built to last.

As the whakataukī reminds us:
“Toitū te whenua, toitū te tangata.” If the land endures, the people endure.

Our hope is that guests leave feeling nourished, grounded, and more connected — not only to themselves, but to the natural world. That the forest continues to regenerate, the ecosystem continues to thrive, and Te Aka remains a place where wildness, care, and comfort exist in balance for generations to come.