Getting a 5.5metre long, half a tonne slab of wood into the bush requires some top-notch teamwork and strategy.
Hamilton-based building company Sentinel Homes were up for the challenge when tasked with purpose building a giant boardroom table destined for the bush-edge of the Coromandel Forest Park.
On a sunny October day, the Onetai Bush Boardroom was launched in Hikutaia – the third location for this innovative nature-based offering.
The brainchild of outdoor enthusiast Kylie Rae, The Bush Boardroom was created to offer corporate experiences in nature, away from the four-walls of a traditional, stuffy meeting room.
“Spending time in nature has profound benefits for our brains and wellbeing,” said Rae.
“There’s some solid studies now that show that immersing ourselves in natural surroundings can enhance cognitive function, reduce stress, foster creativity and even boost mood. It’s a symbiotic relationship—by connecting businesses with nature, we’re also encouraging a deeper appreciation for the environment and conservation.”
Rae launched the first Bush Boardroom location at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in 2020, after her international hiking and food business was caught up in the border closures.
Central to the concept of The Bush Boardroom is a commitment to environmental conservation. Each company that books an experience is contributing to the preservation of New Zealand’s unique ecosystems, with a portion of proceeds allocated to conservation projects.
Nate Alley, director of Sentinel Homes Waikato was one of the early companies to recognise the value in connecting his people with nature and brought them for a strategy meeting at the Maungatautari Bush Boardroom.
“Sitting underneath that native canopy was an unforgettable experience, I just remember thinking, this is an amazing idea,” he said.
“We all felt the wairua of the ngahere and our team came away buzzing from the day having mapped out our company values now proudly embedded in our culture.”
Alley was keen to spend more time at The Bush Boardroom with his team, but they had expanded to over 20 and had outgrown the original location.
He reached out to Rae and offered to collaborate to build a new, larger table on the condition that they could find another exceptional setting.
Rae is also the founder of guided hiking and food tour company Nature and Nosh, has a network of rural accommodation partners, and had just the spot in mind.
“We’d been taking our hiking groups to Onetai Estate, this beautiful property on the edge of the southern Coromandel Forest in Hikutaia. It’s halfway between Paeroa and Thames, and I knew it would work well,” says Rae.
“On top of that, the owner Steve is a good bloke and I knew he’s be open-minded about a new project.”
A few months later, the plan came together and a six-strong Sentinel Homes team arrived to construct the massive table onsite, while the rest of the team joined for a two-day Bush Boardroom nature retreat the following day.
The professional development retreat included a leadership and strengths-based session with facilitator Josh Cox at the table in the bush, a guided mindful hike to a hidden waterfall by Rae, a refreshing cold plunge, a hāngi and a bush survival workshop.
“Seeing our team learn and reflect together after having built the table was special,” said Alley. We will definitely be back for our annual strategy day.”
This recent expansion follows the initial launch of The Bush Boardroom at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in 2020, and a subsequent addition of the Waitākere Bush Boardroom, which is a handy 40 minutes’ drive from central Auckland.
“It’s a huge privilege to work with high-performing but down-to-earth teams like Sentinel Homes. To have them back for another dose of nature and connection and to provide and build the table as well, I’m very grateful for,” says Rae.
The Onetai Bush Boardroom offers day experience packages for groups up to 26, with mixed onsite accommodation including rooms and glamping. It’s an ideal venue for team-building retreats, strategic planning sessions, leadership workshops and more.
“We are so excited to be able to include our newest location for companies looking for something different for their teams this Christmas too,” says Rae.
Its serene surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for businesses looking to disconnect from the hustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature.