Design for Life

When you think of the Chatham Islands you think of rugged, windswept coastlines, angry seas and tough, self-sufficient individuals battling the elements. All that is certainly true, but now there is also a softer, more luxurious side to the Chathams, it’s called the Kōpī Bush Retreat, and it’s the perfect way to experience the eastern-most part of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Chatham Islanders are used to challenges.

The Kōpī Bush Retreat is the brainchild of John and Bridget Preece, who built it on the 1200 acres of farmland that John inherited from his family, land that has been in the family for many generations. John, a commercial fisherman for 39 years, is of Moriori and Māori descent and is one of six siblings, three of whom now own the farmland and a nearby quarry. Bridget, a mainlander, spent 15 years in Napier educating their children as there are no secondary schools on the Chatham’s, but she is now back full time on the Island with her latest ‘child’ - the Retreat and the restoration of their bush and preservation of fish stocks for future generations.

John and Bridget had been living in an old schoolhouse - that John had actually gone to school in! - but the dream was to build a home that could also function as a retreat for visitors to relax, unwind and experience the Island. Given the remoteness of the location - there is no Mitre 10 just up the road on the Chathams - the construction of the building was always going to be a mission in itself, but Chatham Islanders are used to challenges. All construction materials had to be shipped in from New Zealand, and while family members did move back to help out, builders also had to be flown in from the mainland if the construction was going to be finished in the foreseeable future.

The Kōpī Bush Retreat is the brainchild of John and Bridget Preece, who built it on the 1200 acres of farmland that John inherited from his family, land that has been in the family for many generations. John, a commercial fisherman for 39 years, is of Moriori and Māori descent and is one of six siblings, three of whom now own the farmland and a nearby quarry. Bridget, a mainlander, spent 15 years in Napier educating their children as there are no secondary schools on the Chatham’s, but she is now back full time on the Island with her latest ‘child’ - the Retreat and the restoration of their bush and preservation of fish stocks for future generations.

Add to the mix that this was no ordinary building with numerous custom features and advanced joinery and it was clear that this would be no ordinary build, and in fact it was such a huge undertaking that it was featured on the Grand Designs New Zealand television show.

And what a grand design it is! The home is fully off-grid but retains a sense of luxury and modernity that nestles in the impressive landscape. It is a bespoke design by noted Lyttleton architect Michael O’Sullivan, who has known John for many years. The standout feature is the sweeping, wing-like roofline that brings a sense of calm to the site, but the building is also sensitive to its surroundings, with three-metre-wide decks all around so that you can choose which side of the house to sit outside of to avoid that day’s wind! And if the exterior is stunning, the interior is equally impressive, featuring swaths of natural materials that give it added warmth and complement the fantastic views through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Perhaps the best part of all this is that you can experience it firsthand! It’s not often that you can come and stay in a Grand Designs build, but the Kōpī Bush Retreat welcomes visitors year-round.

Attention to detail is the main focus of the Retreat, ensuring your stay is comfortable, enjoyable and above all, memorable. Your time there can be uniquely tailored to your specific requests and preferences, but John and Bridget are keen to welcome guests to get involved in the daily life of the Retreat, collecting kai like seafood and mushrooms, and seeing first-hand how our food comes from the farm or sea onto our plates that night.

All this great food and beauty inside the Retreat, it’s easy to forget that there is plenty to do outside.

All meals are included in your stay at Kōpī Bush Retreat and are focused on using fresh local ingredients from the farm, the sea and the garden. Lunches are either packed for you to enjoy while exploring the local area, or prepared and served at the retreat, and all dinners are cooked for you by your hosts and at least one meal will focus on kai moana (seafood) prepared especially for you by a local chef. Degustation menus are also available on request for an extra charge.

With all this great food and beauty inside the Retreat, it’s easy to forget that there is plenty to do outside. John and Bridget can help organise fishing and diving trips, as well as tours of the Island by locals, and they can arrange rental cars so that you can use the Retreat as your base and get out and about in that rugged landscape on your own little adventure - safe in the knowledge that at the end of the day a warm welcome and great kai awaits!