How Our Off-Grid Glamping Stay Works

At the Pōhutukawa Tent, everything runs off-grid, but you wouldn’t know it.

Set high on our hilltop in Waitomo, the tent has been designed to offer a full, comfortable stay without being connected to mains power. Instead, it’s powered by a carefully designed system combining solar energy and a wood pellet boiler.

Our solar setup generates all the electricity needed to run the essentials, from lighting and refrigeration to the oven and everyday appliances. Any excess energy is stored and reused, helping the system run efficiently year-round.

For heating, we use a wood pellet boiler rather than relying on fossil fuels. The pellets are a by-product of the forestry industry, making them a more sustainable option while still delivering reliable heat. This system powers the underfloor heating, hot water, and even helps keep the outdoor hot tub at temperature.

Between each stay, the hot tub is completely emptied, cleaned, refilled, and reheated to 38°C, all using renewable energy. It’s something we’ve worked hard to get right, ensuring guests can enjoy the experience without compromise.

Designing and building this system has been a big part of the journey at Wild Canvas. It allows us to offer a remote, private glamping experience in Waitomo, while reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.

This is off-grid glamping in New Zealand, where sustainability and comfort work side by side.