A Journey Through New Zealand with Rosewood
New Zealand unfolds like a secret whispered slowly. Its landscapes shift from subtropical forest to golden farmland, from snow-dusted peaks to glassy alpine lakes.
There’s a purity here—a sense of space, of stillness, of stories embedded in the land. Through Rosewood’s three distinct properties—Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers and Matakauri—this faraway country becomes more than a destination. It becomes a journey of place and presence.
Rosewood Kauri Cliffs | Northland’s Untamed Coast
On the North Island’s wild northeast coast, Rosewood Kauri Cliffs rests within 6,000 acres of farmland, native bush and dramatic Pacific headlands. This part of Northland feels untouched—lush and expansive, rich in Māori heritage and natural beauty. The lodge itself sits high above the sea, with suites and villas that draw the outdoors in through glass and timber. It’s both grounded and refined, an elegant base for discovering a landscape that rewards curiosity.
Guests can take to the coast by sea kayak, gliding between quiet coves and black rock outcrops before picnicking on a private beach. On land, walking and ebike trails wind through ancient forest and past hidden waterfalls, while guided heritage tours offer insight into the region’s past. There’s golf with cliff-edge views, a spa suspended above the treetops, and even land-based fishing at Pink Beach—where, if luck is on your side, the chef will prepare your catch over an open BBQ as the sun sets. For a sense of scale and solitude, nothing compares to a heli-picnic in the nearby Waipoua Forest, home to Tāne Mahuta, the largest living Kauri tree in the world.
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers | The Heart of Hawke’s Bay
Further south in Hawke’s Bay, Rosewood Cape Kidnappers commands sweeping views over farmland, vines and the vast Pacific. This is wine country, where crisp Chardonnay and bold Syrah flourish in the sun-drenched hills, and Napier’s Art Deco charm brings a dose of whimsy to the coast. The lodge itself sits atop dramatic cliffs, its architecture low-slung and warm, surrounded by the textures of a working sheep and cattle station.
There’s something deeply immersive about life on this estate. Mornings might begin with a sunrise over Black Reef, followed by a visit to the gannet colony perched just above the ocean. Days are shaped by vineyard lunches, shepherding demonstrations, off-road Can-Am tours and cooking classes using produce sourced locally. The Cape Sanctuary, New Zealand’s largest private wildlife reserve, offers a rare chance to walk among rewilded birds and flora—culminating, perhaps, in a nocturnal Kiwi encounter. Evenings bring people together over aperitifs and open-air BBQs at the Clubhouse, where conversation flows as freely as the wine.
Rosewood Matakauri | Queenstown’s Alpine Calm
In the South Island, Queenstown’s alpine drama sets the stage for Rosewood Matakauri—a lakeside retreat that balances serenity with access to some of New Zealand’s most exhilarating experiences. Surrounded by The Remarkables mountain range and overlooking Lake Wakatipu, the lodge is intimate and considered, its interiors soft in tone and spacious in spirit.
This is where adrenaline meets quietude. You might soar over glaciers and fjords by helicopter, stopping to toast with whisky chilled by ancient ice, or cycle the Dunstan Trail through canyons and vineyards en route to a winery lunch. Horse trekking through Glenorchy and jet boating along the Dart River deliver cinematic immersion into the region’s wilderness, while afternoons can be spent unwinding in the infinity pool, exploring Queenstown’s boutiques, or soaking in the silence from your suite. As evening falls, guests gather for gourmet BBQs on the terrace, followed by stargazing sessions that turn the southern sky into a theatre of myth and memory.
A Trilogy of Place and Presence
Together, these three lodges form a kind of modern grand tour—a trilogy of grounded luxury, regional insight and gentle adventure. What ties them isn’t just their exceptional settings or refined design, but a shared philosophy: that travel should feel purposeful, immersive and quietly transformative.
New Zealand isn’t a place to rush. It’s a land to dwell in, to feel deeply, and to remember long after you’ve left its shores.