Te Aka was never just a building project. It was a long-term commitment to family, land and guardianship — a place intended to carry forward for generations.
Family sits at the centre of Te Aka.
From the beginning, Lisa and Dave wanted their children to be immersed in both the land and the work involved in caring for it. This wasn’t simply about building accommodation. It was about creating something lasting — a place that could support their family now and into the future.
The property itself feels like a taonga — a treasure. It carries the marks of earlier generations and mining history, stories embedded in the landscape. Resilient. Enduring. Shaped by time and weather.
With ownership came responsibility.
Lisa and Dave see themselves not as owners in a transactional sense, but as custodians. Embracing the principle of kaitiakitanga — guardianship and conservation — they are committed to protecting and restoring the land while building a future that their children can inherit with pride.
The goal is intergenerational.
To nurture what exists.
To add thoughtfully to its story.
And to ensure Te Aka remains healthy, productive and cared for long after they step back.
Every decision — from predator control to building methods — is guided by that long view.
Te Aka is not just a retreat.
It is a family commitment.
The ultimate West Coast escape — off-grid, indulgent, unforgettable. Your space to rest, reconnect, and explore untamed wilderness.