Trusted Local Connections
Through trusted local connections and genuine community partnerships, we create authentic and bespoke experiences that go far beyond standard touring. These are not off-the-shelf activities — they are personal invitations into island life. From access to private land and home-hosted encounters to exclusive outdoor adventures, travelling with us offers a level of connection and authenticity few ever experience.
In partnership with local landowners and islanders, we have developed a range of unique activities that are not available through any other tour operators. Alongside these, we also collaborate with carefully selected local providers to incorporate their established experiences — ensuring a well-rounded and immersive journey.
By combining exclusive access with trusted local expertise, every itinerary reflects the true spirit of Rēkohu — deeply connected to its people, its landscapes and its way of life.
Beautifully rugged. Authentically raw.
Experience the Chatham Islands like no other.
Culinary Experiences at Kopi Bush Retreat
At Kopi Bush Retreat, food is more than a meal — it is an integral part of the island experience.
Working alongside owner Bridget Preece, private chef Kaai Silbery creates exceptional lunches and dinners for our tours, celebrating the freshest locally sourced ingredients the Chatham Islands have to offer. From ocean-fresh seafood to seasonal island produce, every dish reflects the beautifully rugged landscape of Rēkohu.
Guests enjoy relaxed picnic lunches and thoughtfully curated pop-up dining experiences set in unique locations — perhaps overlooking dramatic coastlines or within sheltered rural settings. These moments bring together scenery and flavour in a way that is distinctly Chatham.
Each tour also includes a signature dining experience — whether it is a farm-to-plate dinner showcasing local growers and producers, or a spectacular seafood degustation featuring the island’s famed blue cod, crayfish and pāua. Every Kopi Bush culinary experience is crafted for the tastebuds — generous, authentic and unforgettable.
Owenga Charters
Owenga Charters proudly deliver our fishing expeditions, birdwatching experiences and unforgettable boat day trips around the Chatham Islands. Combining deep local heritage, extensive regional knowledge and a lifetime spent on these waters, their team provides exhilarating, memorable and genuinely unique experiences.
Whether joining a dedicated fishing charter or setting out toward Pitt Island, guests enjoy an immersive day on the water. Cast a line for blue cod or groper, steam around Pitt Island’s dramatic coastline and observe rare seabirds in their natural habitat. Along the way, you may encounter seals basking on rocky outcrops and seabirds in abundance.
All of this unfolds against the breathtaking backdrop of an island that is the first inhabited place in the world to see the sun rise each day — making every moment on the water truly extraordinary.
A Woolshed Morning Tea at Durham Farm
A true Chatham Islands experience includes time spent at Durham Farm, hosted by the wonderful Gary and Eileen Cameron — an experience we are proud to have introduced and helped establish as a must-do on Rēkohu.
Welcomed into their working woolshed, guests are treated to a traditional island morning tea — freshly baked scones straight from the oven, homemade shortbread and a proper cuppa in hand. It’s simple, generous and utterly delicious — the kind of genuine hospitality the Chathams are known for.
As you enjoy your morning tea, Gary and Eileen share captivating insights into the history of farming on the Chatham Islands, the realities of modern-day island life, and the story behind the wind farm located on their property. Their knowledge, humour and lived experience bring real depth and authenticity to the visit.
While this experience is now enjoyed by many visitors to the islands, we’re proud to have played a part in bringing it to life and sharing it with our guests. A relaxed, personal and truly memorable window into life on Rēkohu.
Celebrating Chatham Islands Beekeeping
We are proud to collaborate with several Chatham Islands beekeepers, supporting an industry that is both deeply rooted in tradition and vital to the island’s future.
One of our special partnerships is with Kaai Silbery — a multi-generational beekeeper taught by her grandfather and continuing a proud family legacy. During our visit to one of her hive locations, Kaai provides a fascinating and informative overview of the history of bees and beekeeping on the Chatham Islands. She also shares the critical importance of biosecurity — essential in protecting the islands’ status as one of the very few places in the world where bees remain disease free.
We also support the next generation through Eileen Cameron’s grandchildren and their beekeeping efforts. The honey they harvest from their hives is sold to fund hive maintenance, with each jar featuring a beautifully hand-drawn label — a true labour of love and entrepreneurship.
Across different tours, we visit other dedicated island beekeepers, each with their own story and contribution to this remarkable, disease-free beekeeping environment. These visits offer insight into a unique aspect of island life — where heritage, responsibility and sustainability work hand in hand.