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Whare Tui

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Whare Tui

Wellsford, Auckland


Whare Tui at Tāwiniwini Gardens is located just 45 minutes north of Auckland City.

Nestled on a gently sloped ridge and surrounded by native planting, the accommodation overlooks the Harakeke gardens, a floodplain on the Hoteo River, and a lush rainforest directly in front.

Facing south, the tent benefits from the northern sun streaming in from the rear, creating a wonderfully warm and inviting atmosphere. Step inside to discover warm lighting, plush furnishings and every facility at your fingertips. It features two beautifully styled bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed. A well-appointed bathroom is located inside the tent, while your well-equipped kitchenette is at the front. ​​​​

Unwind on one of two spacious decks, one sunbathed and one shaded, perfect for lounging or dining with a glass of bubbles in hand. The warmth of the hot tub (ideal for two) or firepit is perfectly paired with gazing up at a blanket of stars. Or breakfast to a cacophony of our resident native birds.

Whether you're looking to escape the city or immerse yourself in a landscape surrounded by thousands of native trees, you'll leave feeling refreshed and with lasting memories from this special place, all just a short drive from the city.

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Eating and drinking near Escape

EATING AND DRINKING

Whare Tui is self-catering. Just bring your own food and drink, and cook meals using the single-ring induction and Weber BBQ (complete with a pizza stone) provided. You'll find all the cutlery, crockery, pots and pans that you'll need.

If you want a break from cooking at any stage, [Matakana Kitchen Restaurant](https://www.matakanamarketkitchen.co.nz/ https://maps.app.goo.gl/BhHqu6JfGXmgBGU97) and Sculptureum are great options for dinner and under half an hour's drive. Te Arai Links is a world-class golf destination with multiple restaurants on-site and delicious food.

The nearest store for stocking up on food and supplies is in Four Square in Wellsford (5 minutes away), or Pak n' Save & New World in Warkworth (20 minutes away).

Things to do near Escape

THINGS TO DO

Whare Tui is a place of rejuvenation.

Perfect for couples or a group of four wanting to reconnect and relax together. Enjoy board games, cards, and yoga on the deck (mats provided) at the tent. Venture freely into the rainforest on the 54-acre property for a breath of fresh air. The heated hot tub is the cherry on top.

If you're looking to get out and about in the region, The Junction Magazine is a local publication that has a huge resource of local info within the Puhoi to Waipu regions (Whare Tui is located in between, approximately half an hour north or south!). Find out more here.

The Kauri Museum is also a must-do and a perfect addition to your day out for a bite to eat.

Put your swimmers and flip flops on and head out to the beach, specifically Pakari Beach and Te Arai Beach (both half an hour's drive). Great for swimming, lounging, surfing and horse riding.

Bringing your own boat? Mangawhai Heads and Omaha Beach both have great boat launching sites.

Your hosts at Escape

YOUR HOSTS

Your host at Whare Tui at Tāwiniwini Gardens is Mark.

Mark established the gardens, originally called 'Snowberry Gardens', in 2006 to support Snowberry, an anti-aging skincare brand they launched in 2007. After selling the company in 2018 and shifting focus to Harakeke fibre and by-products in 2022, they now enjoy sharing the gardens with visitors.

Mark oversees operations at the gardens, supports manager Ian, and leads Te Hononga Hapori Harakeke, a national initiative to revive the Harakeke industry. Mark is also a director of KiwiFibre Innovations Ltd and Ngāti Ruapani ki Uta ki Tai Co-op.

Tāwiniwini means Snowberry in Māori, and Whare Tui is named after the Tūī, a beloved New Zealand bird that plays an important role in pollinating native plants like Harakeke, Wharariki, and Kōwhai during spring and summer.

TESTIMONIALS

“ A huge thank you to our host Mark for excellent accommodation. A hidden getaway to rejuvenate, commune with nature and find peace in your heart in a very relaxing, clean and welcoming place. Spacious for four people and just a place to chill out. Highly recommended. ”

Antonia Vier- 2025-01-07

12 / 12

“ Location and quality of it all were second to none. ”

Phil Herriott- 2026-03-12

1 / 12

“ We absolutely loved Te Taiao/the nature that was on offer at Whare Tui with all the manu/birds, Harakeke planted, and beautiful Totara everywhere. The tent was incredibly well set up with all the mod cons. Sitting in the hot tub looking up at the Milky Way was very special and won't be forgotten for quite some time. ”

Marcelle Messenger- 2026-01-21

2 / 12

“ Absolutely loved our stay at Whare Tui, definitely a must stay to anyone thinking of booking.Ticked all our boxes and more. ”

Anna Cameron- 2025-12-16

3 / 12

“ What an amazing setting, amongst native plants, birds and rabbits, this was a totally relaxing refreshing break from society. We even turned our phones off for the weekend, thank you Whare Tui. ”

Russell Johnston- 2025-11-11

4 / 12

“ Incredible location! Hosts are 10/10! Look forward to coming back! ”

Anna Strong- 2025-10-21

5 / 12

“ Great place to stay, nice and private, with all the facilities needed for a weekend getaway. Stargazing in the spa pool is always amazing, and even though we had a windy storm rolling through, we managed to stay warm and comfortable. Looking forward to visiting again in the future. ”

Sanjay Dayal- 2025-09-15

6 / 12

“ Such a great retreat to get out in nature. Beautiful and serene views. Would stay again. ”

Morgan Holyoake- 2025-04-14

7 / 12

“ Whare Tui is truly a slice of heaven. It offers a chance to disconnect from the world. The setting is tranquil and peaceful. Sitting in the spa and listening to the natural sounds around you makes you feel as if you are a million miles away from normal everyday life. Whare Tui has everything you need. Nothing has been forgotten. Loved my stay. ”

Catherine Lal- 2025-04-07

8 / 12

“ This place is incredible, the cleanest I have ever seen. Top-notch linen, including sheets, bathrobes, etc. Communication was also superb—very professional and friendly. I will recommend Whare Tui anytime. ”

Maria Mullany- 2025-03-19

9 / 12

“ This place is amazing, the location is peaceful with lots of plant and birdlife (fantails are my wife's favourite and there were lots of these) the facilities were very high standard, and importantly the cleanliness was excellent. ”

Liz and Dave Spencer- 2025-02-21

10 / 12

“ Whare Tui is a great stay. We really enjoyed the relaxing environment. Everything was made with detail in mind, and the little touches made all the difference! ”

Cameron Adam- 2025-01-11

11 / 12

“ A huge thank you to our host Mark for excellent accommodation. A hidden getaway to rejuvenate, commune with nature and find peace in your heart in a very relaxing, clean and welcoming place. Spacious for four people and just a place to chill out. Highly recommended. ”

Antonia Vier- 2025-01-07

12 / 12

“ Location and quality of it all were second to none. ”

Phil Herriott- 2026-03-12

1 / 12

Scenic coastal landscape viewed through a golden tent opening, showing lush green hillside with forest line meeting turquoise ocean waters under clear blue sky

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