The idea for Te Aka began years before it was built — shaped by travel, rainforest experiences in Borneo, and a pivotal visit to handcrafted treehouses in Montana.
Travel has always been part of Lisa and Dave’s story.
For years they spent time in North America, mostly chasing snow and mountain ranges. But one of their earliest significant trips together was their honeymoon — a surprise journey to Borneo. They travelled into the Sarawak rainforest and stayed in Bario, a remote highland village where community, timber buildings and land connection weren’t styled experiences — they were simply how people lived.
It wasn’t luxurious. It was simple, shared and grounded. Forest all around. Life woven into landscape.
That left an impression.
Years later, travelling through North America with young children, their evenings often ended watching treehouse building shows. Elevated cabins, clever engineering, timber craftsmanship. At the time, it was just interesting television. But the idea lingered.
In 2019, while in Montana, they visited two working treehouses and met the owners. Walking through those structures changed things. They weren’t novelty builds. They were solid, thoughtfully engineered spaces set properly within forest. They felt intentional.
A treehouse didn’t have to be a gimmick.
It could be serious building.
Their visit to Montana Treehouse Retreat showed what was possible when craftsmanship met landscape. The structures were immersed in the forest, not imposed. Built to last. Designed with care.
That visit gave clarity and immense inspiration.
Back home on the West Coast of New Zealand, the concept began to sharpen. If they were going to build something, it had to belong here — in native rainforest, on gold mining ground, in real West Coast weather. It had to withstand rain, wind and time. It had to be private, considered and practical.
Not flashy.
Not themed.
Built properly. Built beautifully.
The seed may have been planted years earlier — in Borneo’s rainforest and Montana’s timber structures — but the expression of it would always be West Coast.
The seed had been planted years earlier.
Montana simply gave it direction.
Massive shout to the crew at:
The ultimate West Coast escape — off-grid, indulgent, unforgettable. Your space to rest, reconnect, and explore untamed wilderness.