Everything taken care of
Book your stay at Whakahā
Whakahā is an all-inclusive stay.
Christmas at Whakahā is still open.
Everything’s sorted so you can be truly present. From 19 December to 4 January it’s $6,240 a night, with a four night minimum.
Book now
Whakahā is fully yours for the whole of your stay, with no one else on the property.
The food is taken care of, the experience is booked, and your concierge has thought ahead so you don't have to.
$4,800 a night for up to 10 guests, all-inclusive except alcohol. Three night minimum. 20% deposit to secure your dates, balance due before you arrive. There's nothing to manage once you arrive. It's just the land, your people, and time.
Select your travel dates below to check availability and book directly. Have a question before you book? Email Chris at hello@whakaha.com.
Your stay at a glance
- One curated experience included in every stay, valued at $1,800
- All food included: dinner on arrival, then cook with local ingredients, eat out locally, or mix the two
- Daily housekeeping throughout your stay
- Sleeps up to 10 guests, plus infants in baby cots
- Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, single level with step-free access throughout
- 184 m² on 12 private hectares, with direct access to the Rangitata River
- Open living area, a media room, hot tub, outdoor bath and outdoor fire
- Your host and concierge, Chris, on call before and during your stay
- 1 hour 45 minutes from Christchurch, 15 minutes from Geraldine
- Check in 2:00pm, check out 12:00pm
Keep reading for the finer details: what's included, who looks after you, and the practical things worth knowing.
Included in your stay
One experience, chosen by you
Every stay includes one curated experience for your whole group. You choose once your dates are confirmed, so there is nothing to decide now, and Chris arranges it all from there. Options depend on the season and local availability. If you'd like more than one, he can add to it.
Choose from
Private chef
An upgrade to the Whakahā Table. A private chef comes to the house and hosts a three-course meal for your group.
Nature adventure
White-water rafting on the Rangitata River, fly fishing in the high country, a guided horse trek, or a visit to a local station or farm.
Group photography
A private photographer spends a morning with your group at Whakahā to capture the occasion.
Whatever you need
Your concierge handles the rest
Your host and concierge, Chris, is on call before and during your stay to book your curated local experience. He will have a hot meal waiting when you arrive and ensure daily housekeeping works for your group.
He can also curate further experiences for your group, such as a New Zealand wine tasting flight with our sommelier, a private chef for your stay, or a wellness practitioner at the house. Helicopter transfers and private vehicle hire can be arranged too. Simply speak to Chris and he'll let you know what's possible and what it costs.
A few practicalities
Pricing and minimum stay
- Year-round outside peak periods — Minimum 3 nights, from NZ$4,800/night.
- Christmas 2026 — 19 Dec 2026 to 4 Jan 2027. Minimum 4 nights, from NZ$6,240/night. No check-in or check-out on Christmas Day or New Year's Day.
- Easter 2027 — 25 Mar to 30 Mar 2027. Minimum 5 nights, from NZ$6,240/night.
- All prices are for up to 10 guests, in NZD and include GST. Alcohol is not included.
- A 20% deposit secures your dates, with the balance due 30 days before arrival, or in full if you book within 30 days. All payments are non-refundable. No security deposit is required.
Getting here
A vehicle is needed to reach us and to get around while you are here. The last stretch of road is gravel, so take it gently, and mobile coverage is patchy on the approach, so download the maps you need before you leave Christchurch.
In poor weather the road is slower going than usual. Your concierge will let you know if conditions are worth planning around.
Safety and accessibility
Accessibility
The house is single level with step-free access throughout, designed so every generation can move through it easily. If someone in your group has particular needs, tell us when you book and we will do what we can to help.
The land
Whakahā sits on twelve hectares of working rural land, with the Rangitata River along its boundary. The river is fenced and gated from the house grounds, and the outdoor hot tub is covered and meets New Zealand pool safety requirements.
Beyond the house grounds there are steep drops and open water, so children should be supervised outdoors. Possum and pest traps are active across the property. Please stay on the marked paths, and do not touch a trap if you come across one.
Security
Three exterior cameras operate at the property, two facing the driveway and one at the rear. There are no cameras inside the house or anywhere private.
What’s included
Nothing to arrange
What comes with our stay?
Exclusive use of the property, and all your food, planned around your trip: your first night’s meal ready on arrival, a stocked kitchen for cooking together, BBQs on the deck, or an evening at a local restaurant. Also one curated experience for your group, a concierge on call before and during your stay, and daily housekeeping. You’ll also find Starlink wifi, a laundry, bikes and outdoor gear, gumboots in a range of sizes, and wood split for the fire.
Who looks after us?
Your host and concierge is on call before and during your stay to book your included experience, arrange extras like transfers or a chef, and help with anything else you need. You’ll be introduced by name in your booking emails. Your concierge isn’t on the property, so your time there stays your own.
How do we get in?
Access is by a lockbox at the property. Your code comes in your pre-arrival messages; please keep it within your booking party.
What if we need help during our stay?
Your concierge is on call throughout your stay, and their contact details are in your booking emails and guidebook. In an emergency, call 111.
Do we need to bring anything?
Just yourselves, and what you’d pack for a few days in the country. The pleasures and the practicalities are already taken care of.
Booking
Before you book
How much does it cost?
$4,800 a night for the whole house, for up to ten guests. Over Christmas and Easter, the nightly rate is $6,240. All prices are in New Zealand dollars and include GST.
Is there a minimum stay?
Three nights. Over Christmas (the nights of 19 December to 4 January) the minimum is four nights, with no check-in or check-out on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. Over Easter the minimum is five nights.
How does payment work?
A 20% deposit secures your dates. The balance is charged automatically 30 days before arrival, to the card you paid the deposit with, and we’ll send you a reminder a week before. If you book within 30 days of arrival, the full amount is due when you book. No security deposit is required.
What’s your cancellation policy?
All payments are non-refundable, so we recommend travel insurance. If your plans change, please get in touch. In exceptional circumstances we may be able to move your stay.
Who are we booking with?
You book directly with The Real Symphony Limited, trading as Whakahā. There’s no third-party platform involved, so any questions come straight to us.
How does booking work?
Choose your dates on the Book page and book directly with us, for a personal booking experience from the first email. You’ll receive a confirmation email straight away, and your digital guidebook before you arrive.
How far ahead can we book?
Up to eighteen months ahead, and at least 72 hours before arrival. The lead guest must be 21 or over.
Contact us
If you have any other questions about booking your stay at Whakahā, let's talk.