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  • Co-Host, Master Storyteller & Historian

    Pita is a highly respected Māori orator, historian, and filmmaker with deep ancestral ties to the Auckland region (Tāmaki Makaurau).

    Known for his captivating and resonant storytelling, Pita carries the histories of the land, the ancient migration routes, and the profound relationships between the people and the forest.

    Having Pita—or one of our other esteemed Māori guides—host your team provides an unparalleled depth of understanding. His guidance helps executive teams step outside their daily corporate mindset and view their strategy through a lens of deep time, legacy, and stewardship.

    Learn more about Pita here.

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  • Co-Host, Botanical Artist, Forager and Forest Farmer

    Mamakan (indigenous Norse: Kimbri, Daner, and Frisii Tribes) is a botanical installation artist and the founder of Velskov, a natural forest farm in Auckland, New Zealand.

    With a deep passion for nurturing forests and vibrant local communities, Mamakan is especially interested in innovative conservation initiatives.

    She is dedicated to creating sustainable financial models for conservation, including forest farming and regenerative tourism.

    See more on Linkedin

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  • Co-Host

    Aneke brings a wealth of experience in luxury tourism and events management, having previously led Wings Over Whales Kaikōura, a premier whale-watching and scenic flight company.

    With a strong sense of authentic marketing and a deep passion for creating exceptional experiences, Aneke now focuses on delivering high-end, curated moments at Velskov.

    Her approach combines good design, an understanding of quality tourism, and a dedication to showcasing the best of New Zealand's natural beauty and cultural offerings.

Partners

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Clinton Farley, General Manager, The Hotel Britomart

Dedicated to sustainability and community engagement. In 2020, Clinton launched New Zealand’s first 5 Green Star hotel, The Hotel Britomart.

Collaborating with Velskov, Clinton and his team also introduced the country's first hotel-led Regenerative Travel experience, Nourishing Nature and have worked on several other community and sustainability collaborations.

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Terra and Tide, Explore deeply. Travel lightly. Experience more.

Velskov is pleased to partner exclusively with Terra and Tide, an award-winning tourism company offering exclusive experiences.

Explore the natural wonders of the Auckland region and beyond with Terra & Tide, choosing from their unique collection of customisable private and small-group touring experiences which focus on nature, Māori culture and history, art, food and wine in Auckland, Waiheke Island, the Matakana Coast, the Hauraki Gulf and Northland.

From the mysteries of brilliant night skies to the rich heritage of local iwi, their tours showcase mouthwatering food and wine, spectacular walking and nature, meaningful cultural and historic experiences, and world-class art encounters.

You’ll travel in our luxury Mercedes e-vans, set sail aboard a 41-foot catamaran, Pacific Star, and maybe even take to the skies for a thrilling helicopter flight. Terra & Tide offers single- and multi-day experiences perfect for independent, corporate, group, and incentive clients.

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Black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with a beard and mustache, wearing a collared shirt and jacket, against a dark background.
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Jacob Grum-Schwensen, Founder, Greybeard Scandinavia Leadership

Management consulting and execution support at the highest level. More than 30 years of experience in management at all levels.

Kylie Rae, Founder, Bush Boardroom and Nature & Nosh Travel

Kylie is a creative marketing professional with enthusiasm and drive and the founder of two successful start-ups, both partners of Velskov.

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A middle-aged man with brown hair and a beard wearing glasses and a black sweater, standing against a plain gray background.

Nicolaj Bak

Creative Director & Founder @ Overtone | Brand identity

As the Founder and Creative Director of Overtone, a brand and design agency, Nicolaj has been designing brand identities, typefaces, and digital products for over 15 years. He has a passion for strategic design and a multidisciplinary background in graphic, brand and type design, creative coding and classical music.