Where design meets nature
From the moment we walked in, it was clear: this place is something special. Raw, refined and ridiculously beautiful – with natural materials like timber, stone, wool and leather layered in a way that feels effortlessly stylish. Owners Jazz and Ryan have poured their hearts into every detail. From vintage lamps and antique trunks retrieved from the ocean floor, to lighting that gently mimics a West Coast sunset, it’s clear nothing has been chosen by accident. After unpacking, we wrapped ourselves in blankets on the patio as the sun disappeared behind the lush native bush. With a glass of pinot in hand and the outdoor fire crackling, we sat in that rare kind of silence – not awkward, but grounding, peaceful and soothing.
The kind of silence that makes your whole week take a deep breath.
The food? I’ll never shut up about it
Dinner was the sort of meal you try to photograph, then give up because your phone could never do it justice. It began with these blue cheese, pistachio and cranberry spring rolls – crispy, creamy, sweet and savoury, all at once. Then came fresh bread, still warm, with a miso butter so good that I immediately eyed up my partner’s plate. Then came the mussels, topped with blueberry caviar. Unreal. I’d try to describe it better, but honestly, if I could have ordered a takeaway box, I would’ve ordered six … hundred. Then the yellowfin tuna arrived, paired with mango caviar. It was fresh and delicate, with the tropical fruit adding a bright, juicy pop that brought the whole plate to life. And the Angus beef? So tender, it made me rethink every steak I’d ever eaten. Dessert was a matcha panna cotta – smooth, subtle and just earthy enough to land the whole meal gently. Every course was thought through and deeply rooted in place. Chef Ryan, a genius in the kitchen and a real mastermind in molecular gastronomy, has spent years refining his craft, including running his own acclaimed restaurant. You don’t see the magic happening as he’s quietly pottering around in the kitchen; you just feel it when it lands in front of you.
Luxury, but with soul
After dinner, we kicked back in the hot tub and, for the 10th time that evening, muttered to each other, “I wish we lived here.” As the call of a ruru echoed in the distance, I thought back to a conversation we’d had earlier with Jazz and Ryan. This isn’t just a lodge, it’s a vision they’ve brought to life with care and intention. With years of experience in hospitality and business, they’ve chosen to take a different path here. They’ve slowed down to create something meaningful. Their aim is to show everyone, whether they’re locals or visitors from abroad, what thoughtful, sustainable, heart-first luxury in Aotearoa truly looks like. Kaitahi is almost entirely offgrid. Solar-powered. Rainwater harvested and filtered on-site. Waste? Composted. Even breakfast, a beautifully prepared continental spread, reflects their ethos of “enough”: nourishing without excess, leaving you extremely satisfied but never stuffed.
The kind of place you want to come back to
The next morning, waking up wrapped in ridiculously soft sheets, on what might be the comfiest bed I’ve ever slept in, I had a moment: How is this Palmerston North? I’ve flown halfway across the world looking for places like this, only to find something better – more grounded, more gorgeous, more peaceful – just down the road. No airports. No time zones. No stress. A stunning lodge with soul, run by good people, in a place that’s quietly perfect.
Book the suite. Take the weekend. Treat yourself or surprise someone you love. You won't regret it Book your stay at Kaitahi Lodge here.
Kaitahi – coming together to eat
The name says it all. Kai (food) and tahi (together) emphasise the communal aspect of dining.
Choose the Chef’s Table experience and you’ll share the evening with other guests, or even a few locals from Jazz and Ryan’s close – knit community who are lucky enough to land a seat when one opens up.
It’s a rarity in kiwi dining culture – we usually keep to our own tables, our own bubbles. But here, the shared meals become the centrepiece of connection. Conversations flow easily, often between people who hours earlier were strangers from opposite sides of the globe. You laugh, you learn, you connect. It’s hospitality the way it’s meant to be.
throughout our website to add an experience, accommodation, or event to ‘My Trip’, or explore directly from our interactive map. View Map >
