Kōwhai Tent Renovation: A New Chapter Begins

In September 2017, we pitched our very first tent: the Kōwhai Tent (known at the time as Waitomo Hilltop Glamping). We did it all on a shoestring budget, pouring in long hours, DIY spirit, and whatever funds we could scrape together, plus the help of whichever friends and family we could bribe with a box of beer. From the design and landscaping to the building itself, we did the majority of the work ourselves. And as bookings rolled in, we upgraded what we could, piece by piece.

Nearly eight years on, the tent had earned a well deserved refresh. The powder coated poles had reached the end of their life, the zips were starting to fail, and it became clear that it was time for a full replacement. After building the Pōhutukawa Tent in 2022, we realised what was possible when we brought in professionals. We enlisted the help of interior designers, engineers who pushed the structural limits of canvas living, a landscape designer, specialist stonemasons, kitchen makers, builders, electricians, plumbers, custom outdoor furniture builders, and off grid electrical system designers (more about all that in a previous blog).

That experience set the benchmark for us, and we knew the Kōwhai Tent deserved the same level of care and craftsmanship. So, we brought the same design team on board to elevate the tent to match the standard of its sister.

The new Kōwhai Tent will feature an indoor fireplace, polished concrete floors, a completely new bathroom fit out, and stunning glass windows and doors. The windows and doors were an engineering challenge on their own, given that they needed to be supported without any traditional solid walls or roof. But the result is a beautifully open, light filled space that maintains the integrity of canvas living. This time around, we've opted for stainless steel poles and removed zips entirely, an upgrade that should significantly extend the life of the tent.

The landscape design was a particularly important piece of the puzzle. So much of glamping is about being outdoors in nature, and we wanted to make the most of every inch of the space. Some of the key design considerations included creating comfort in nature, embracing the landscape and views, encouraging exploration, and crafting curated experiences that feel rooted in place. Everything, from the pathways and planting to the positioning of outdoor features, was considered with the guest experience in mind.

While the tent was scheduled to arrive from South Africa within six weeks, it has now taken more than three months to get here. Even with generous contingency time built in, these additional delays have unfortunately disrupted our renovation timeline. We reshuffled our entire plan to make the tent install the final step in the renovation, hoping to stay on schedule. But with the ongoing shipping hold-ups, we've had to push our reopening date out further, and our greatest regret is having to reschedule a handful of guest bookings. Disappointing guests is by far the hardest part, more so than the financial strain of missing another six weeks of income.

On a brighter note, the delays have given us precious extra time to focus on the landscaping, which was a massive job in itself. It’s finally starting to take shape, and we can’t wait to reveal the new surroundings.

We’re so excited to welcome guests back to the Kōwhai Tent and are now taking bookings for stays from September onwards. This is where it all began, and now it returns with the same magic, thoughtfully reimagined to reflect the high standards that define Wild Canvas. We can't wait for you to experience it.

Landscaping design by Calla Landscapes

Interior design by Designwell