Velskov is a native forest farm on 10 acres of private bush in the Waitākere Ranges, on Huia Road in Parau. It is about 45 minutes from the Auckland CBD. The farm grows food and tea from native plants and runs guided foraging, native tea tastings and open-fire dining in its glasshouse. Its work is built around restoring forest and the wellbeing of the people who visit it.
Visitors can take a private tour of the forest farm, with exclusive access for a group of guests. The farm offers a tailored wellness and culinary day, which the business suggests as a birthday gift for a family or close friends. Guests forage for native botanicals and cook a shared lunch over an open fire. A new offer lets visitors plant their own native tea garden, with micro-forests of native plants that they can harvest from. Velskov also hosts open studio weekends during the Open Studios Waitākere festival, where a forest tea tasting is held with a koha (donation) welcome.
The farm is set up for small events too. It is used for business meetings and team sessions, and it has hosted food and travel creators, including visitors during the Michelin Guide's launch in New Zealand. Travel agents and designers can use a dedicated portal to plan eco-luxury itineraries, and the farm is open to partnerships with like-minded organisations and community groups.
Our pick in Parau for an eco-luxury day of foraging and open-fire lunch in the bush.