Rainforest Cuisine | Private Forest Dining
Welcome to Rainforest Cuisine — a luxury, private, and bespoke New Zealand nature experience where you’ll reconnect with true love of the forest, guided by a botanical artist and foraging expert.
Step into the heart of the Waitākere Ranges, forage for native ingredients, craft teas and herbs, and share stories over an open-fire meal. Rooted in a deep respect for the land, this experience is a journey of nourishment, connection, and insight into the uniqueness of Auckland’s rainforests.
“Foraging is the luxury of rediscovery of our true place in nature”
This private and intimate nature experience invites you to sense the natural beauty of the forest — a space for nourishment, shared stories, relaxation, and learning, guided by Mamakan.
Rainforest Cuisine is an intimate experience of the New Zealand rainforest through European eyes.
This experience is about getting hands-on with the forest, gathering, tasting, listening, and understanding the relationship between you and the natural world.
Mamakan carries the knowledge of her indigenous Scandinavian and a deep love of the natural abundance of New Zealand plants in her capacity as a botanical artist.
Our commitment to sustainability means we are not only walking lightly on this land but actively working to restore the forest to her natural state.
After being welcomed, you’ll head out on a relaxed walk through the bush, gathering the forest’s offerings with your own hands — young shoots, fragrant leaves, and hidden treasures beneath the canopy.
Mamakan will guide you in recognising and carefully collecting what you need, sharing how you could use these plants for food. We will plant a tree to replenish any harvest that we have taken from the forest.
After gathering what we need, we’ll head to our open-air kitchen, powered by natural wood. Here, you’ll work together to co-create a meal using the plants you’ve foraged and other seasonal ingredients.
Everyone plays a part — chopping, stirring, tasting — guided by Mamakan through the natural flow of the cooking process. It’s simple, honest comfort food — shaped by the land and shared in good company. You’ll taste the freshness of the forest in every bite and learn how these flavours reflect the natural seasons.
Sharing food prepared with care and connection is central to indigenous practice traditions, and you’ll feel that as you sit down together to enjoy the meal you’ve created. It’s a relaxed and open space, so if you’re curious about any of the plants, feel free to ask.
You’ll swap stories, share a few laughs, and come away with a deeper connection to the land and its natural abundance.
Mamakan
Forest Host
Mamakan is a botanical artist and forest farmer whose deep connection to native flora and indigenous Nordic wisdom infuses every experience she creates.
Born in Denmark and now rooted in a regenerating forest sanctuary in Parau, Auckland, she offers a rare kind of hospitality — intimate, warm, and alive with authenticity.
As the founder of Velskov Forest Farm, Mamakan curates private forest dining experiences where each dish tells the story of the land. Her background in contemporary art, global foraging traditions, and regenerative living invites guests into a multisensory journey — one where nature is not just the setting, but the source.
In her presence, luxury becomes redefined: not by excess, but by connection to place, to season, and something ancient within ourselves.
Request to reserve your private time in the forest.
This experience is perfect for food enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone seeking a deeper connection with the environment. Kindly share your preferred date and time, and we’ll confirm availability shortly.
Price: NZ$2375 for 1-2 people. Choose between lunch and dinner. Additional guests can be included and charged at the rates specified in our booking form. Private transport from the Auckland CBD can be booked as well. A helicopter transfer is available on request.
Lunch
Hotel pick up 10:15 am (if transfer requested)
Velskov arrival: 11 am
Velskov departure: 2:30pm
Estimated City hotel arrival: 3:15 pm
Dinner
Hotel pick up: 2:45 pm (if transfer requested)
Velskov arrival: 3:30pm
Velskov departure: 7:00 pm
Estimated City hotel arrival: 7:45 pm
Useful information
5 hours including travel from Auckland CBD and return.
Travel to the airport: 30-60 minutes
Travel to CBD: 30-45 minutes
Capacity
1-8 people
Questions
Please email us at hebe@velskov.com
Frequently Asked Questions
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For your comfort, please wear clothes that you can layer and shoes suitable for walking. Velskov provides a limited number of gumboots and rain jackets.
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We recommend bringing a hat and sunscreen (for the summer months), a rain jacket (for the winter months), as well as a water bottle, camera and insect spray.
Don't forget any medication you may need during the tour, such as allergy prevention or treatment.
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Participants must be at least 18 years old to attend on their own. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. If you have special requests for a private kid-friendly tour, please contact us at hebe@velskov.com
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The tastings of fresh ingredients from the farm and local area will vary daily. While specific dietary requests cannot be guaranteed, please inform us of any allergies when booking on hebe@velskov.com
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Exclusive access to a 10-access private forest. Option to book a private driver or a helicopter tour.
A guided walk through the native forest farm.
Expert-guided herb and plant foraging.
A tasting experience featuring forest foods
Reforesting native bush helps New Zealand’s rich biodiversity flourish.
The opportunity to plant a native tree sapling, to help restore the forest or seasonal variation, such as mushroom log inoculation.
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Contact us if you have special requests in mind at hebe@velskov.com
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Yes, you are welcome to make your own way to Velskov Native Forest Farm.
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The forest farm is in Waitakere Ranges, a 30-45-minute drive from Auckland downtown.
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Yes, there is a compostable toilet available for use at the off-grid native forest farm.
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We understand that plans can change. You can cancel your booking up to 10 days before the tour start time for a full refund minus an admin fee of 20%. Cancellations made within 10 days are not eligible for a refund.
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Yes, for tours tailored to alternate dates, times and attendee numbers please enquire with hebe@velskov.com or call +64 0272209107.