Exclusive Native Forest. Mindful walks. Art of Foraging. GastroGeography Immersion Feasts. Exploration and Curiosity.

Where the forest feeds the soul

A heartbeat from Auckland but you will feel miles away, this Bush Boardroom is hosted at Velskov, a private regenerating native forest with the Waitākere Ranges as a backdrop.

The entire 10 acre native forest is reserved exclusively for your team when you choose a programme here and features an architecturally designed glass canopy.

Velskov means ‘forest wellness’ in Danish. Wellness in art, cuisine, and nature. It's a space of sustainable ecology, art, food and drinks, and lots of outdoor magic. It’s a place where the forest feeds the soul.

For groups 8 - 20 people

Choose from a packaged experience below or let us create a bespoke programme for you.

Packages and Pricing at Waitākere

Looking for something extra special?

We can put together a custom package for your company. Some optional inclusions:

GastroGeography Forest Degustation: A seven course culinary experience about the provenance and the taste of a place. What does a New Zealand forest taste like? This fully sensory experience highlights native ingredients that have been foraged in harmony with the natural season. 

Native Bush Cocktail tasting and making workshop: Bring home a bottle of your self-made botanical spirit.

Native forest floristry and botanical sculpture-making workshop: Bring home a native forest in a glass jar.

Your conservation contribution

Velskov is a regenerating native forest neighbouring the Waitākere ranges. The vision is to change the relationship we have with the native plants of Aotearoa by creating a sense of place and belonging through seasonal and multi-sensorial experiences. Velskov has two goals of equal importance: cultivation, and conservation. By experiencing the Bush Boardroom at Velskov, your team will be contributing to this restoration through eco-sourcing seeds, weed removal and pest control.

Velskov Review

"The most immersive and sensory experience I have had in a long time! Besides learning so much about the native plants of of New Zealand, Mamakan has curated a beautiful foraging experience that marries gastronomy, nature, mindfulness and botany. Would definitely recommend this workshop!."

Alicia Tsi

Your hosts at Velskov

Kylie Rae

Nature & Nosh owner Kylie Rae's love for the outdoors was cemented early in life, being brought up rurally in a tramping-loving family. After a couple of years spent hiking around the world, Kylie and her husband moved back to Aotearoa and set up Nature & Nosh Tours - a tribute to the two things they love most, hiking and food! 

Not content to sit a desk day after day, Kylie forged her own path, creating meaningful experiences in the space where nature, science and wellbeing meet. With over a decade of experience in business management, conference and event organising, Kylie is focussed on designing and running corporate experiences for your company like no other; with wellbeing and nature at the core.


Mamakan

Mamakan is a botanical artist working with art, cuisine and nature. She is originally from Aarhus, Denmark of nordic Vølve-Viking decent and has deep Scandinavian roots. 

Today, Mamakan is based in Parau, a forested area directly backing the Waitākere ranges where she creates contemporary fine art photography and multi-sensory art/food installations and exhibitions. Mamakan's art practice could best be described as 'GastroGeography' - the taste of a place. Her sensory artworks and collaborative projects amplify nature and aim to create a sense of belonging and wellbeing.