Wharekauhau Country Estate Limited

What Wharekauhau Country Estate Limited does

Wharekauhau Country Estate Limited operates a single-site ultra-luxury lodge and working sheep station on 3,000 acres of coastal Wairarapa land at Palliser Bay, New Zealand, approximately a 1.5-hour drive or 12-minute helicopter flight from Wellington. Founded in the 1840s as one of New Zealand's original Romney sheep studs, the property transitioned into luxury hospitality under the Shaw family in the late 1970s and was acquired by Bill and Carol Foley's Foley Entertainment Group in 2010. The accommodation estate comprises 16 Cottage Suites (each 70 sqm, with ocean views and clifftop siting) and the Foley Villa (418 sqm, three-bedroom private residence with helipad and infinity pool), supported by a dining room serving four-course seasonal menus, a Country Kitchen, the Hauora Spa, a heated indoor pool, fitness centre, and a private wine cellar.

The company monetises the estate through five channels: nightly ultra-luxury accommodation, a catalogue of more than 20 paid experiences (ATV quad biking from $385pp, farm tours from $320pp, clay target shooting from $310pp, e-bike coastal exploration $165pp, helicopter wine flights from $18,625, stargazing $1,400 for up to four, spa treatments from $140pp, and curated wine tastings from $125pp), weddings and corporate retreats with full-estate buy-out capacity for up to 34 guests, day-guest programs (Trust the Chef lunch from $195pp, Helilunch from $835pp, Adventurer's Day Out from $595pp), and freehold residential lot sales within the estate (Lots 1-65 across five internal roads) governed by a Design & Governance Committee.

Distribution is direct-first via the Synxis booking engine, phone reservations, the ResDiary dining widget, and the RMS Cloud gift voucher storefront, complemented by Relais & Chateaux referral traffic and earned media across Condé Nast Traveler, Vogue, Forbes, Travel + Leisure, Cosmopolitan, and Rolling Stone. The company is privately held with 17 employees, holds WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility and GDPR certifications, and was awarded Two Michelin Keys by the MICHELIN Guide in November 2025.

Name

Wharekauhau Country Estate Limited

Legal name

Wharekauhau Country Estate Limited

Website

https://wharekauhau.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1840

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wharekauhau Country Estate Limited operates a 3,000-acre ultra-luxury New Zealand lodge and working sheep station on Palliser Bay, serving ultra-high-net-worth travelers with 17 keys, curated experiences, weddings, and freehold estate lot sales under Foley Entertainment Group ownership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Lodge Hospitality

NAICS

Accommodation (721), Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Farmhouses, Country Houses & Vineyard Estates (THAMAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rural & Countryside Homes (THAMAAAI), Large Group & Event-Friendly Homes (THAMAAAM)

Keywords

• Luxury lodge accommodation
• Wedding and event venues
• Wine tourism experiences
• Adventure tourism activities
• Wellness spa services

Headquarters

HQ city

Featherston

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Luxury Accommodation: Nightly rates for Cottage Suites (16 units at 70 sqm) and Foley Villa (one 418 sqm three-bedroom private villa). Accommodation includes nightly pre-dinner drinks and canapes, multi-course dinners, and access to estate facilities.
2. Curated Experiences and Activities: Revenue from adventure activities (ATV quad biking, farm tours, clay target shooting, archery, e-bike coastal exploration), wellness treatments (spa, pool, fitness), wine experiences (sommelier tastings, Martinborough wine tours, barrel cellar experiences), and specialty offerings (helicopter transfers, stargazing, lighthouse tours).
3. Events and Celebrations: Wedding venues, corporate retreats, conferences, and incentive experiences. Bespoke event planning services for celebrations ranging from intimate elopements to full-estate buy-outs accommodating up to 34 guests.
4. Private Estate Ownership: Sale of estate lots to private individuals seeking to live permanently within the Wharekauhau landscape. Lots available along Wharekauhau Road, Top Stone Lane, Lesters Lane, Goodnight Lane, and additional roads. Freehold land title with access to lodge amenities.
5. Day Guest Programs: Day visitor experiences including Trust the Chef lunch dining, Helilunch helicopter arrival packages, and Adventurer's Day Out combinations. Reservations via ResDiary booking system.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wharekauhau Country Estate operates a 3,000-acre luxury lodge and working sheep station on Palliser Bay in New Zealand's Wairarapa region. It provides 16 Cottage Suites and the Foley Villa private residence, a farm-to-table Dining Room and Country Kitchen, and a portfolio of curated on-estate experiences including ATV adventures, wine tours, clay shooting, stargazing, spa, and helicopter excursions. The property also serves as a wedding, corporate retreat, and private events venue, and markets freehold estate lots for residential ownership within the estate community.

Product overview

Wharekauhau Country Estate is a single-site luxury lodge and private estate spanning 3,000 acres on Palliser Bay, Wairarapa, New Zealand, operated by the Foley family since 2010 and affiliated with Relais & Châteaux. The accommodation portfolio comprises 16 Cottage Suites (70 sqm each) and the Foley Villa (418 sqm, 3-bedroom). Dining is centred on the Dining Room (four-course seasonal dinner) and Country Kitchen (farmhouse breakfast), with private dining add-ons including Chef in the Wild and Sommeliers Table tastings. The estate offers over 20 fee-based experiences including ATV adventures, farm tours, clay shooting, stargazing, wine tours of Martinborough, helicopter flights, and wellness at the Hauora Spa. Complimentary house activities include pool, tennis, pickleball, fitness centre, and sauna. The property also functions as a wedding and conference venue, and markets private freehold estate lots for ownership. Speciality packages (Stargazer, Country Hideaway, Babymoon, Third Night on Us, The Runholder) bundle accommodation with selected experiences. The estate was awarded Two Michelin Keys by the MICHELIN Guide in November 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cottage Suites 16 luxury clifftop cottage suites at 70 sqm each, offering super king beds, heated marble floors, double spa baths, private terraces, and ocean views over Palliser Bay. Includes nightly pre-dinner drinks and canapés, multi-course dinners, and access to estate facilities.
• Foley Villa A 418 sqm ultra-luxury three-bedroom private villa with panoramic Palliser Bay views, three guest suites with king beds and ensuites, open fireplaces, fully equipped kitchen, expansive patio, heated infinity pool, outdoor fireplace, and helipad access. Designed by Kurio Design.
• Dining Room & Country Kitchen On-site restaurant offering refined four-course seasonal dinners in the Dining Room with pre-dinner drinks and canapés by the fire, plus a farmhouse-style Country Kitchen serving house-made preserves and seasonal breakfast dishes using estate and Wairarapa produce.
• Weddings & Events Wedding and special event venue accommodating 2 to 34 guests, from intimate villa celebrations to full-estate buy-outs, with 16 Cottage Suites, Foley Villa, Palliser Room, Croquet Lawn marquee option, dedicated wedding planner, bespoke menus, and exclusive access to estate activities.
• Corporate Retreats & Conferences Corporate retreat and conference venue on 3,000 acres featuring the Wharekauhau Boardroom seating up to 22 boardroom-style, 12 classroom-style, or 40 theatre-style, with whiteboard, flipcharts, complimentary Wi-Fi, and team-building activities including clay shooting, ATV quad biking, and wine tastings.
• Private Estate Lots Limited freehold estate lots (Lots 1-65) available for private ownership along Wharekauhau Road, Top Stone Lane, Lesters Lane, Goodnight Lane, and an unnamed road. Lot owners receive access to lodge dining, activities, and Country Club facilities including swimming pool and tennis courts.
• Day Guest Programs (Trust the Chef, Helilunch, Adventurer's Day Out) Day visitor experiences including Trust the Chef lunch (from $195pp), Helilunch helicopter arrival packages (from $835pp), and Adventurer's Day Out combinations (from $595pp). Reservations managed via ResDiary booking widget.
• Hauora Spa & Wellness Holistic wellness experience inspired by Māori philosophy covering Taha Tinana, Taha Hinengaro, Taha Whānau, and Taha Wairua. Services include spa treatments from $140, massages from $210, signature wraps from $555, facials from $295, full body treatments from $230, with a heated 22-metre indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, cold plunge, and fitness studio.
• Adventure Activities (ATV, Clay Shooting, Archery, E-Bike, Farm Tour) Curated adventure activities including guided ATV quad biking across black sand beaches (from $385pp), sporting clay target shooting at the on-estate gorge range ($310–$525pp), archery instruction ($180pp), e-bike coastal exploration to Muka Muka Bay ($165pp), and 4WD farm tours of the working sheep station ($320pp).
• Stargazing Experience Private 60-minute guided stargazing session on the cottage terrace led by a local astronomer, taking advantage of Wairarapa's certified dark-sky reserve status, with optional wine and cheese platter. $1,400 for 1–4 people, weather permitting.
• Wine Experiences (Sommeliers Table, Martinborough Tours, Foley Wine Flight) Wine experiences including Sommeliers Table tastings with three flights ($185–$320pp), guided Martinborough wine tours, Cycle the Martinborough Vines ($490pp), Soil Barrel Cellar Passion ($1,195pp), and the Signature Foley Wine Flight helicopter tour visiting Te Kairanga, Vavasour, and Grove Mill vineyards ($18,625, max 4 people).
• Helicopter & Private Transfer Services Helicopter transfers from Wellington city taking 12 minutes, with airside helicopter access for private jets and transfers to and from anywhere in New Zealand. Private driver transfers also available with knowledgeable local guide and bespoke Wellington city touring.

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Relais & ChateauxcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive membership in the global Relais & Chateaux association of luxury hotels and fine food establishments. Provides global marketing presence, referral bookings from member properties, and association with prestigious hospitality brand. The estate is promoted alongside other world-class luxury properties worldwide.
• Foley Entertainment GroupcoreOthersParent company ownership by Bill and Carol Foley since 2010. Provides strategic direction, capital investment, and integration with Foley Family Wines portfolio. The Foley family's vision for sharing rugged beauty and genuine farm life shapes the estate's positioning and operations.
• Foley Family WinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWine portfolio including Te Kairanga, Vavasour, Grove Mill, and Martinborough Vineyard with deep roots in Martinborough wine region. Enables exclusive wine experiences, sommelier expertise, and The Signature Foley Wine Flight helicopter tour visiting three Foley vineyards. Creates integrated wine-hospitality experience unique to the estate.
• The Runholder at Te KairangaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant partnership for The Runholder wine country experience package, offering long lunch and tasting experiences. Located within Te Kairanga vineyard, part of the Foley Family Wines group.
• Te Kairanga VineyardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Martinborough's founding wineries, offering wine tastings and cellar experiences. Featured in The Runholder package and Foley Wine Flight itinerary.
• Vavasour VineyardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarlborough region vineyard included in The Signature Foley Wine Flight helicopter experience. Showcases distinct terroir between Martinborough and Marlborough wine regions.
• Grove Mill VineyardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMartinborough vineyard included in The Signature Foley Wine Flight experience. Features in the curated helicopter wine tour itinerary.
• Lighthouse Gin DistilleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal artisan gin producer crafting spirits using pristine mountain spring water from Wharekauhau. Features four expressions: Original, Hawthorn, Barrel Aged, and Surprise pour. 45-minute tasting experience available at the estate.
• Martinborough VineyardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric Martinborough winery included in exclusive wine experiences and cellar passion tours. Part of Foley Family Wines portfolio.
• Wairarapa Dark Sky ReservecoreOthersGeographic partnership positioning the estate within New Zealand's newest internationally recognized dark sky destination. The Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve designation enables extraordinary stargazing experiences and provides regulatory protection for night sky quality.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Longitude 131°: Luxury desert lodge at Uluru with comparable intimate tent/villa count, premium all-inclusive pricing, and experiential positioning tied to a unique natural setting.
• Huka Lodge: Iconic New Zealand luxury lodge in Taupo with comparable suite count and ultra-luxury positioning; targets similar UHNW travelers and competes for the same Relais & Châteaux-distributed luxury demand in New Zealand.
• Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley: Ultra-luxury rural conservation reserve resort in Australia offering villa-style accommodation, farm-to-table dining, and curated wilderness experiences—a direct conceptual analogue in a neighboring market.
• Matakauri Lodge: Queenstown-based luxury lodge from the Robertson collection with similar suite-villa accommodation and Relais & Châteaux affiliation; competes for international luxury travelers exploring New Zealand.
• Otahuna Lodge: Heritage country estate lodge near Christchurch offering luxury suite accommodation and fine dining; comparable on the historic country house estate positioning and intimate suite count.
• Blanket Bay Lodge: Lakeside luxury lodge near Queenstown with comparable high-end suite accommodation, Relais & Châteaux membership, and adventure-experience bundling similar to Wharekauhau's ATV and farm tours.
• Eichardt's Private Hotel: Boutique luxury hotel in Queenstown with similar suite-style premium offering and lake/mountain setting; competes for the same luxury traveler planning a New Zealand itinerary.
• Cape Kidnappers / The Farm at Cape Kidnappers: Hawke's Bay luxury lodge on a working farm estate; highly comparable on the farm-anchored luxury lodge model, farm-to-table dining, and high-end experiential positioning in New Zealand.
• The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs: Luxury lodge in the Bay of Islands operated by Julian Robertson's lodge collection; matches Wharekauhau on suite-style accommodation, farm/estate setting, and ultra-premium pricing for destination weddings and high-end leisure.

Others

• Foley Family Wines (Te Kairanga / Martinborough Vineyard): Sibling entity under Foley Entertainment Group and key strategic partner; provides the wine experiences (Sommeliers Table tastings, Foley Wine Flight, The Runholder) that differentiate Wharekauhau from competing New Zealand lodges.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wharekauhaucountryestate
• Instagraminstagram.com/wharekauhau/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wharekauhau-country-estate-limited

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wharekauhau Country Estate Limited