Famous for its incredibly vast, fertile, and enchanting landscape―New Zealand is the picturesque location where the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed. The Global Peace Index has acclaimed it the most peaceful nation in the world, making New Zealand a sought-after destination by discerning travelers.
The Farm is New Zealand’s luxury pride―a five-star lodge and golf course gorgeously perched atop 300-metre cliffs of stunning beige sandstone. Spa lovers, golfers, bird watchers, and nature adventurers will relish the magnificent 180-degree views of the emerald Pacific Ocean, and be invigorated by the breathtaking brilliance of 6,000 acres of rolling farmland and dramatic cliffs that make up Cape Kidnappers.
You can enjoy close-up views of Australasian gannets or takapu that have been nesting at Cape Kidnappers since the 1870’s. Sized midway between a sea gull and an albatross, gannets at the Cape have distinctive black eye markings and a pale gold crown, and constitute the world’s largest and most accessible mainland-based gannet colony.
What’s in the name Cape Kidnappers?
The name was derived from an incident on October 15, 1769 when Captain James Cook and the crew of the HMS Endeavour made a landfall on the headland. A group of canoes set out from the shore and gathered around the Endeavour. During this encounter, however, the local warriors seized one of the crew. The crew of the Endeavour opened fire, killing one of the assailants and allowed the captive to escape back to the ship. To mark the nearly successful abduction, Captain Cook named the headland “Cape Kidnappers”.
Among the Māori people of New Zealand, however, the cape is known as Mataupo Māui, which means the fish hook of Māui―the famous hero in Māori mythology. The story tells that the North Island of New Zealand is the world’s largest fish. Māui, using blood from his nose for bait, hauled the giant fish from the depths of the ocean. Look at a map of the North Island and you’ll find Wellington is the head, Cape Taranaki & East Cape are the fins, and Northland is the tail of the fish. The hook of land at Cape Kidnappers is supposed to be the hook that Māui used.
Majestic World and Exquisite Comfort
The indigenous and unspoilt. The vast, awesome ranch. These are themes that highlight the Lodge at Cape Kidnappers, along with superb ornaments and furnishings, top of the line amenities, and the very best hospitality experience.
Ideal for honeymoons and romantic breakaways, the cluster of luxury lodge buildings at Cape Kidnappers are suggestive of a working farm. A marriage of river stone and weathered wood, the buildings combine rustic and textured materials with comfortable modern furniture.
Excellent for a family or group of friends travelling together, The Owner’s Cottage offers boutique hotel facilities with space for up to 8 guests. Unwind and enjoy 4 deluxe bedrooms with fireplaces, large bathrooms, walk-in closets, mini-bars, and private balconies overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Socialize in the large living room which has a stone fireplace, generously-sized open-plan kitchen and dining area. The Owner’s Cottage can be rented as a 2-bedroom or 4-bedroom house.
The common areas of the luxury lodge offer numerous welcoming and comfortable spaces. You may indulge in the heated infinity pool and jacuzzi or stretch out under the shady poolside cabana and enjoy a tipple from the mini-bar.
Guests can visit the spectacular Māori pa, a fortress site, right on the property. Te Awa and Craggy Range wineries in the Hawke’s Bay region and the Art Deco town of Napier offer delights farther afield.
Astonishing Golf Destination
Tom Doak, the legendary golf architect, designed the Cape Kidnappers Golf Course to naturally encompass the land around it. It was incredible that without moving any dirt, he created a golf course of amazing originality. As the land leans toward the sea along a series of ridges, every hole has a beautiful view of Hawke’s Bay. “What’s distinctive is that you get to the edge of the course and peer over cliffs. It takes your breath away. On the 6th and 15th holes, you have to navigate across a ravine to reach the greens. Miss and your ball will plunge into the ocean 200 metres below,” says George Burr, an American lawyer.
Currently ranked #33 on GOLF Magazine’s TOP 100 Courses in the Word, the par-71 golf course measures 7,119 yards (6,510 meters) and will challenge golfers of all skill levels. Completed in 2004, New Zealand’s spectacular golf course at the Cape has been hailed as one of the great modern marvels in golf.
Utmost Delight in Food & Wine
New Zealand’s fertile land produces fabulous and succulent food. Tim Pickering, head chef of The Farm, always aims to source his produce as locally as possible. With the Cape Kidnappers vegetable garden in place and its close proximity to the lodge, the chefs are able to create daily menus based on what is freshest, utilising many vegetables straight from the garden and offering the most seasonal produce to the guests.
The Farm chefs pride themselves on making as much as they can on site. Pastry Chef Korey Field makes everything from scratch at The Farm―from cereals, cookies, breads, jams, exquisite pastries to ice cream. His chocolate chip cookies are gaining legendary status, and the smell of melting chocolate wafting from the kitchen means Korey is making one of his wonderful desserts for the night’s dinner menu. Dinner menu changes nightly and features the finest New Zealand lamb and beef, as well as the best local produce and seafood.
Part of the luxury experience is enjoying a few glasses of wine―whether that be to complement your meal, to celebrate a special occasion, or simply to expand your wine knowledge by introducing you to the flavours of Hawke’s Bay wine country.
Pilgrimage to the Mecca of Food Lovers
Do not miss Chef Tetsuya Wakuda’s deluxe food and wine event on August 17 to 19, 2012. Tetsuya is without doubt one of the world’s top chefs. His Sydney restaurant, Tetsuya’s, is a Mecca for food lovers. Tetsuya’s cuisine is unique, based on the Japanese philosophy of using natural seasonal flavours enhanced by Classic French technique.
Powerfully Refreshing: Mind & Body Healing
Along with lovely dining experience, The Farm lodge guests should not miss the fabulous spa. What better place to indulge in a much deserved “Me-Time” and soothing pampering in this wonderful haven, which boasts of calm, cocooning settings.
The Cape Kidnappers Spa is housed separately on the edge of a pine forest, atop the hillside, overlooking the Farm’s neo-rustic lodge, guest cottages, and golf course. The reception area and each treatment room provide guests with magical views across the sapphire Hawke’s Bay to snow-capped Mount Ruapehu on the far shore.
A staff of internationally trained and certified therapists offers the full complement of massage, body treatments, acupuncture and yoga, in addition to facials, nail and hair services. All spa treatments are 50-80 minutes in length, and the products used reflect both the international and local outlook of the resort owners: Comfort Zone from Italy, Evolution from New Zealand, and Casa Lavanda, a brand local to Hawkes Bay.
The massage menu includes Swedish, Deep, Sports and Pregnancy options, but the Earth Stone Massage deserves special mention. Here is a unique variation on classic massage therapy, a luxurious treatment using heated volcanic stones (gathered in thermally active NZ, naturally) placed on specific points to help the body relax and used to massage those tissues most in need of attention.
Ultra-indulgent body treatments World Travel Magazine highly recommends:
• The Geo Thermal Scrub and Mud Wrap, a detoxifying and nourishing body treatment, which combines a rejuvenating body scrub with the healing and re-mineralizing properties of a pure Rotorua Geo Thermal mud wrap.
• The Lavender Scrub and Massage, which begins with a soothing foot bath before locally grown lavender is hand-blended with sugar or salts to exfoliate the skin. After a steam shower, a relaxing full-body massage ensues.
An impressive complement of facial treatments again leans toward the local. With so many golfers passing through the resort, the Men’s Balancing Facial and Back Massage are immensely popular. Gender does not enter into the allures of the Sacred Nature Face and Body Ritual, a sensory journey of aromatic oils incorporated with a ritualized lymphatic body massage and organic anti-aging facial.
The Kiwi Knight & His Three Lodges
Great spa experience is a high point of the award-winning packages at The Farm, which is owned by the distinguished American billionaire and hedge fund legend Julian H. Robertson, Jr., who has made a big impression blending New Zealand tourism’s strengths in scenery, food, and wine.
Mr. Robertson owns two other luxury lodges in New Zealand: Kauri Cliffs Lodge in the Northland―a veranda-wrapped plantation house with adjoining guest cottages; and the modernist Matakauri Lodge in the ski and adventure sports Mecca of Queenstown. He also owns the Dry River Wines and Te Awa Winery, the latter a single estate vineyard nestled in the heart of the Gimblett Gravels wine growing region in Hawke’s Bay.
Now in his 80’s, he has passed the baton to his son, Julian Robertson Jr. III, known as Jay Robertson, managing director of The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs Lodge, and Matakauri Lodge. Asked about the best thing that defines the three 5-star resorts he directs, Jay Robertson says: “The team. We are fortunate to have a group of people who are not only committed to the industry and to our family but to ensuring that every guest has the best possible experience while they are staying with us.”
Cape Kidnappers Spa manager Michele Cregger said: “It’s clear that a major part of our appeal is the extraordinary natural landscape of New Zealand. No one can take exclusive credit for that, and it’s an integral part of the experience at The Farm―in the spa, on the golf course, in the lodge, at cliff-top or down on the beaches. But it’s something we do work hard to protect and foster.”
Nature Walks to Capture Your Heart
Day by day at The Farm your inspiration will get deeper. Cape Kidnappers boasts some of the most amazing trails in the North Island. Walk to the 200-year old Kahikatea tree and commune with the undying spirit of life. Explore a variety of terrain―from moderate forest walks to ocean side hikes along the cliffs―and get a view of a huge diversity of native trees and plants along with birds and insects. Backpacks, blankets, picnics, directions or trail guides are always available on hand for hire by reservation.
Follow in the footsteps of Captain James Cook
Your journey to Cape Kidnappers is a way to pay homage to the British explorer and cartographer who, in three voyages, sailed thousands of miles across largely uncharted areas of the globe, during which he achieved the first European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, and the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand. Captain Cook mapped lands from New Zealand to Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean in greater detail and on a scale not previously achieved.
Travel to Cape Kidnappers and pursue your own quest. At The Farm you will know the Earth as most alive, where abundance is pulsating, infinitely available for you to tap. Harmony, which is the essence of New Zealand, will bring stillness to your soul and help you gain absolute clarity to your dreams. Gaining momentum, you can take the bold steps to explore the world of possibilities promised by your own vision of who you truly are and where you really want to be. 