Nourishing Nature: A Forest-to-Table Tea & Culinary Journey
Join a small group of like-minded travellers every Wednesday for an immersive sensory experience where GastroEcology, conservation, and community come together.
Step into the sun-dappled shade of the Waitākere Ranges and welcome to Velskov New Zealand Tea Gardens & Food Forest. On this shared journey, you will explore our native landscape, learning to identify and forage indigenous herbs and tea botanicals with our expert guides.
Discover the principles of GastroEcology and how consuming wild, native forest teas and plants can help rewild your microbiome and restore inner health. You will also leave a lasting legacy by helping to plant your very own native tea garden right here at Velskov. After the forest walk, gather in our beautiful open-air glasshouse for guided tastings of native teas.
Together with your fellow guests, you will co-cook a seasonal lunch over an open fire, sharing stories and the unique flavours of the forest around a communal long table.
Experience Highlights:
Guided walk and hands-on tea and botanical foraging in a regenerating native food forest.
Learn about GastroEcology and how native forest teas support gut health and microbiome rewilding.
Leave a legacy by naming and planting your own native tea garden at Velskov.
Social, co-cooked open-fire lunch featuring wild and seasonal ingredients.
Immersive native tea tastings and artisan local produce.
The Details:
When: Every Wednesday, 9:45 AM – 1:45 PM
Group Size: Intimate small groups (up to 12 guests)
Price: NZ$ 399 per person (Children under 12 are free)
Transport: Self-drive (free parking provided), or book a round-trip Electric Vehicle transport from Auckland City for NZ$ 135 per person.
Food options: Vegetarian and Halal options available.
Need a Hotel? We have partnered with The Hotel Britomart to offer a seamless, eco-luxury getaway. Discover the package, which includes luxury accommodation and Nourishing Nature for 2 people.
Questions? See the FAQ below or contact us at hebe@velskov.com
Book a Private Tour?
Find out more about private and bespoke visits here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our Shared Nourishing Nature Tour (running every Wednesday) is a social experience where you join a small group of up to 12 like-minded guests.
The Private Tour is exclusively for your group, letting you set the day's pace and offering the option to add a Māori Cultural Host to your booking (subject to availability).
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Both our shared and private experiences include:
A guided walk through the Velskov New Zealand Tea Gardens & Food Forest.
Guided foraging for native tea botanicals and edible plants.
Educational insights into GastroEcology and how native plants support your microbiome.
The opportunity to leave a legacy by planting your own sapling in a native tea garden.
Immersive native tea tastings and artisan local produce.
A social, co-cooked open-fire lunch in our beautiful open-air glasshouse. (Optional round-trip EV transport from Auckland City can be added to your booking).
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Yes. To fully participate in the forest walk, foraging, and tea garden planting, guests need moderate physical mobility and must be fit for a short walk through natural, sometimes uneven, forest terrain.
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For your comfort, please wear clothes that you can layer and sturdy, enclosed shoes suitable for walking in nature.
We also recommend bringing a water bottle, camera, insect repellent, and any required medication (such as allergy treatments).
Depending on the season, please bring a sun hat and sunscreen (summer) or a warm rain jacket (winter). We do have a limited number of gumboots and rain jackets available.
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Our experience features daily tastings of wild, foraged ingredients and fresh local produce, so our menu changes constantly.
While we cannot guarantee accommodation for every dietary request, please fill out the booking form or let us know about any severe allergies when booking by emailing hebe@velskov.com.
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Absolutely.
You are welcome to make your own way to the Velskov Tea Gardens (parking is free).
We strongly encourage you to use eco-friendly or electric vehicles to help reduce your environmental footprint.
Please note that there is a brief 5-minute uphill walk from the parking area to the forest.
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Yes, we have a clean, eco-friendly compostable toilet available for use at our off-grid property.
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We understand that travel plans can change.
You may cancel your booking up to 10 days before your scheduled experience for a full refund, minus a 20% administration fee. Cancellations made within 10 days of the booking date are non-refundable.
How Your Regenerative Travel Experience Helps New Zealand
Regenerative Travel is a new concept that goes beyond sustainable travel. While sustainable travel focuses on minimising tourism's negative impacts, regenerative travel aims to leave a positive impact on the destination.
It’s social-led rather than product-led, and gives guests the opportunity to forge a lasting connection. Through community engagement, economic empowerment and education, you'll actively contribute to making a positive impact during your visit.
Community Engagement
You’ll actively engage with and contribute to the local community during your visit, supporting local businesses and respecting local customs and traditions.
Environmental Conservation
You'll leave a positive impact on the environment through foraging, learning about the environment, and tree-planting.
Economic Empowerment
You are benefiting local economies by supporting small businesses and artisans.
Education and Awareness
You’ll learn about the native forest you are visiting and the importance of reforestation, as well as the challenges and opportunities of native forest farming.