The Landing Residences

The Purerua Peninsula, home to The Landing, is one of the most exquisite places in the world – a coastal paradise of turquoise water and white sands lining a verdant patchwork of rolling farmland and native forests. But the spirit of The Landing goes deeper than the beauty of the ocean and land or the purity of the air.

As one of the earliest sites of settlement and trade in New Zealand, this place has a deep sense of history and warmth that can only be experienced by being here – sharing meals made with ingredients grown and gathered in the region, hearing the stories of the past told by the people who live here, and encountering the places and artefacts held sacred as taonga (treasures).

At The Landing, our guiding principle is to honour and protect the history and landscape of this place so we can continue to share it with others for generations to come.

The property has been developed with the blessing and contribution of local iwi (Māori tribes) and the land where sites of cultural and heritage importance lie within the property are held in a charitable trust to ensure their preservation.

The Landing is the vision and personal passion of Peter Cooper, a Northland-born New Zealander who divides his time between New Zealand and the United States.

The Landing History
The warm and welcoming Northland region has been a centre of cultural exchange for two hundred years.

The Bay of Islands was one of the first regions in New Zealand settled by early Māori voyagers from Polynesia. Rangihoua and Wairoa Bays were inhabited with Māori settlements for centuries before the arrival of the first Europeans, and in 1807, the Māori village of Te Puna – then located at The Landing – was described as ‘the capital of the country’.

In 1840, Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi), modern New Zealand’s founding document, was signed by the Māori people and the British Crown at Waitangi, just across the harbour from The Landing, making New Zealand a colony of Great Britain.

The Landing’s story begins with a senior Maori chief named Te Pahi who held a pa (fort) in the early 1800s on Motuapo, or Te Pahi’s island, which lies just offshore from The Boathouse at Wairoa Bay.

Te Pahi of the “clear, strong and comprehensive mind” was the first influential Maori leader to visit Australia when he sailed to New South Wales in 1805 to meet with Reverend Samuel Marsden (who later came to New Zealand as a missionary and planted the country’s first grapevines in the Bay of Islands) and Governor Philip King.

Te Pahi impressed British colonial officials with his shrewdness and keenness for trade, encouraging the Europeans towards developing mutually advantageous relations with Māori in New Zealand.

After Te Pahi died, his nephew Ruatara took his place, welcoming Reverend Marsden when he landed at Hohi Bay – a short walk from The Landing – in December 1814. Marsden’s arrival marked the beginning of European settlement in New Zealand.

He preached the country’s first Christian sermon at Hohi Bay on Christmas Day that same year – an event permanently commemorated by the Marsden Cross, situated within Rangihoua Heritage Park, which neighbours The Landing.

On the same brig, Active, that brought Marsden to New Zealand was a young man named Thomas Hansen II, who would be New Zealand’s first permanent non-missionary settler. On a small plot of land at Hohi Bay, at the base of Rangihoua Pa, Hansen and his wife raised 11 children.

Their first-born, Hannah King Hansen, for whom a tall Norfolk Pine that stands at The Landing was said to be was planted, married Captain George Clapham, a whaler, and together they had three children: Maryann, Thomas and Hannah Elizabeth.

Hannah Elizabeth and her husband, George Mountain settled on the Purerua Peninsula, close to Te Puna, and bore a son – Walter Clapham Mountain – who would become a local legend.

In the early 1800s, Walter took over his father’s store and canning factory and began selling alcohol and other much-needed supplies – even running a bootleg distillery hidden in caves on the Peninsula when the law came down on alcohol sales.

“Walter Mountain was a man of action, vision, and charisma. He was also a man of the community, both Māori and Pakeha,” wrote a Northland newspaper when Walter died in 1930. A Māori verse read at his funeral, translates as: “This is a tribute of sorrowful regard for our beloved friend Walter Mountain, who now sleeps his long sleep.

This man was a loyal friend of our parents and a loyal friend of ours. We considered him as our father, in connection with our affairs. Our father was deeply versed in the Māori language and our ways. Depart hence, o friend of ours, to thy place of rest.”

Walter C. Mountain fathered 16 children: 15 daughters and a son, who was named Walter Jr and who lived in the area until 2008. In 1999, Peter Cooper purchased land from the Mountain family with the goal of preserving and developing it – beginning the story of The Landing as it is today.

The Residences
Spacious and relaxed, with breathtaking views from every angle, our architecturally designed, luxuriously furnished Residences are perfectly at one with the landscapes they sit in.

During your stay at The Landing, our staff will provide attentive yet unobtrusive personal service and total flexibility for your activities. Any activity, health and fitness facility or wellness treatment you desire is available on-site at your request.

Cooper Residence
Taking in spectacular 360 degree views of the Bay of Islands from its position atop a headland, the Cooper Residence is an impressive retreat designed to presidential standard.

Built from enduring natural materials and luxuriously furnished in natural tones of flax and earth, the sweeping five-suite Cooper Residence is home to a significant collection of Māori taonga (treasures), historic artefacts, archeological relics and contemporary New Zealand art.

Its spaces range from expansive indoor and outdoor entertaining areas and a grand wine cellar and tasting room, to intimate conversation and contemplation corners, a library, outdoor fireplace and observatory tower deck.

Each of the five bedroom suites has its own character, including the atmospheric retreat of the suite in the residence’s elliptical stone observatory tower.

Envisioned by leading New Zealand architect Pip Cheshire to embody quiet contemporary distinction, the Cooper Residence’s versatile indoor and outdoor spaces can host any gathering, from an intimate evening to a once-in-a-lifetime celebration or corporate event.

A wine-tasting tour of The Landing Winery is included in every overnight stay. For guests at the Cooper Residence, wine-tasting can be arranging in the private wine cellar.

Gabriel Residence
The Gabriel Residence is designed in the style of a contemporary lodge to be a relaxing base from which to explore the extraordinary natural wonders of the Bay of Islands.

Spacious and high-ceilinged, with magnificent views across bush, rolling pasture, wetlands and the sweep of Wairoa Bay, this expansive residence has the feel of a traditional hunting and fishing lodge rendered with modern Pacific flair.

The timber-lined living, entertaining and recreation areas – including three lounges, a huge open-plan entertainer’s kitchen with scullery and games room – flow easily into each other, and through to multiple outdoor spaces.

The generous covered deck enjoys the sea breeze off Wairoa Bay, while smaller covered and open decks and terraces create opportunities for private retreat. The large, sheltered open-air courtyard is ideal for hosting parties or events on warm nights, or long conversations around the fire pit under starlit skies.

Four equal-status king suites sleep eight guests, making the residence ideal for extended families, groups of friends and corporate retreats. The stone lined-bathrooms feature deep baths and capacious showers with the feel of a wellness resort. A wine-tasting tour of The Landing Winery is included in every overnight stay.

Vineyard Villa
This quietly sumptuous haven of natural textures nestles among the vines, overlooking a wetland rich in native birdlife to the sea beyond. Weighty stone walls and layered timber textures imbue the Vineyard Villa with a sense of unmovable calm and enclosure, against the ever-changing colours of the vine-clad slopes surrounding it.

The generous master suite and two equal-status king bedrooms luxuriously accommodate up to six guests, and look out over perfectly framed views of rolling pasture, vines and lush wetlands where kiwi come to feed in the evenings.

The villa sits at the center of a network of walking trails that weave through native bush reserves, wetlands, paddocks and along the coastlines. At the end of the day, a sheltered westward-facing courtyard is the ideal place to enjoy the sunset with a glass of The Landing wine.

In the open-plan living area, morning sun soaks the stone floors, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls roll back on two sides to transform the space into an airy outdoor room.

A well-equipped entertainer’s kitchen looks out across the view, as well as back onto an intimate courtyard garden of flowers and herbs. A wine-tasting tour of The Landing Winery is included in every overnight stay.

The Boathouse
Sitting on the water’s edge at Wairoa Bay, The Boathouse is an airy retreat where idyllic days unfold to the call of seabirds and the lap of the ocean.

Designed with an air of simple luxury, The Boathouse captures the spirit of the quintessential New Zealand holiday – lounging in the sun, enjoying good food and wine with friends and family and spending long days in or on the water.

Huge, barn-style doors slide back to open the relaxed central living space with its soaring cathedral ceiling up to all-day sun and sea air off the calm waters of Wairoa Bay. Less than 150m from the front door is The Landing’s private jetty, the launching point for short or long adventures in the marine playground of the Bay of Islands.

Spaces to enjoy beautiful weather encircle the residence, from a large covered outdoor dining area that can comfortably hosts 20 guests, to sun loungers with the bay at their feet, a beachside outdoor fireplace and pizza oven, and multiple terraces to chase the sun.

The mezzanine king master bedroom is warmed by all-day sun, and a view across rolling pasture. Internal shutters that open to the double-height living space and look through to a view of the bay. Downstairs, a timber-lined twin room opening to the garden offers generous family accommodation.

The Food
At The Landing, your daily menu will be designed to suit your tastes, requirements, mood and itinerary by our head chef using the best seasonal ingredients from the property and region, served in the privacy of your Residence, or packed to take on your day trip for a picnic lunch.

If you love to cook, you can tour our orchards, vegetable and herb garden and free-range henhouse, choosing your own fruit, herbs, vegetables and eggs for a self-catered meal, or spend an afternoon with our head chef learning cooking techniques using our produce or your daily catch from the ocean.

At the Sunday morning farmers’ market in the nearby town of Kerikeri, you can purchase fresh local produce, and honey and olive oil farms, an artisan bakery, an award-winning cheese and yoghurt maker, and a boutique chocolatier are found nearby.

The Wines
The Landing Wines are known for their beautifully crafted tropical fruit and mineral flavours, given depth and complexity by Northland’s long, warm summers and coastal aspect. From vine to bottle, every step of the wine-making process takes place on site, starting in our 23-acre vineyard and finishing at our state-of-the-art winery.

Whether you are a guest staying at The Landing or a visiting enthusiast, our vineyard staff can take you on a guided tour of our Rosé, Syrah, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Merlot plantings, before you spend an afternoon tasting the results at our beautiful hilltop winery designed by Cheshire Architects, with sweeping views over the property.

For guests of The Landing, we offer the opportunity to secure “en primeur” sales of new vintages from the barrel.

The Terroir
Our vineyard stretches across 23 gently sloped acres overlooking Rangihoua Bay. The rolling vineyard is framed by farmland, lush native bush and regenerated wetlands. In 2007, the first Syrah and Chardonnay vines were planted at The Landing. Since then, Sangiovese, Pinot Gris, Montepulciano, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Merlot have been added.

Since 2010, The Landing Vineyard and Winery has produced boutique vintages of Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Gris, Rosé and Port. All of these vintages have won several awards and received significant accolades from respected wine critics. In 2020, our winery opened, allowing us to craft our wines from seed to barrel to bottle at The Landing.

The Region
Northland is one of the rising stars of New Zealand wine-growing, with a warm and sometimes frisky coastal climate that The Landing’s winemaker Ben Byrne believes can produce wines to compete with the best in the world.“Many of the best Old World vintages come from variable climates and marginal sites where the vines have to work a little harder,”he says.

The Landing’s vineyard is sited in a protective cradle of hills, enjoying a sheltered aspect. Through the long, balmy days of summer, sea breezes off Rangihoua Bay keep the vines dry as their roots tunnel deep into the undulating clay and sandstone soils for groundwater, drawing up minerals that give our wines complexity.

Northland’s ideal wine-growing conditions were first noted over 200 years ago by the missionary Reverend Samuel Marsden He established the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand on the Purerua Peninsula and planted New Zealand’s first grapevines nearby at Kerikeri in 1819.

Since the founding of The Landing Wines, we have honoured the area’s pioneering spirit and respected the land’s beauty and abundance by nurturing and restoring it through sustainable viticulture.

The Wine History
The land’s suitability for viticulture was long-ago identified by the missionary Reverend Samuel Marsden. Marsden established the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand, alongside where our vineyard now sits, and planted what are thought to have been New Zealand’s first grapevines nearby in 1819.

Over time, the peninsula’s fertile soils and abundant marine life drew more settlers, and it became a thriving hub of culture and trade for the region.

The Wine Philosophy
Since the founding of The Landing Wines in 2007, we have honoured the area’s pioneering spirit with our innovative approach, and respected the land’s beauty and abundance by nurturing and restoring it through sustainable viticulture.

The Wine Varieties
In 2007, the first Syrah and Chardonnay vines were planted at The Landing, producing our first vintage in 2010. Since then, Sangiovese, Pinot Gris, Montepulciano, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Merlot have been added.

Since 2010, The Landing Wines has produced boutique vintages of Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Gris, Rosé and Port, which have won awards and received significant accolades from respected wine critics.

Our outstanding 2019 harvest was the first to include fruit from our new red grape varieties, providing exciting opportunities for our winemaking team to craft new single varieties and blends.

A Weekend of Wine!
Over three days and two nights, discover the craft of wine making in our vineyard and winery and enjoy exceptional dining prepared by The Landing’s private chef, while staying in the luxurious comfort of our Residences.

The Bay of Islands region is one of New Zealand’s ‘food baskets’, with incredible seafood, fresh produce and grass-fed meats, as well as being a rising star of the wine industry. Set on a spectacular 1000-acre coastal estate, The Landing is an unforgettable retreat.

At our Weekend with the Winemakers, our experts will take you on a journey of discovery. From a tour of the terroir of our hillside vineyard to guided tastings of our range accompanied by exquisite local cuisine.

The Landing winemaker Ben Byrne and renowned consultant winemaker Warren Gibson will lead a tasting masterclass in our winery barrel room. In addition, they will take barrel-tastings and give you the chance to try your hand at blending for a wine to take home.

Each day, you’ll enjoy breakfasts, lunches and dinners created by our head chef. Produce is grown in The Landing’s own gardens and orchard and sourced from local fishermen and farmers. As a result you are given a true taste of the region – all accompanied by The Landing’s own wines.

In your free time, you can explore the scenic and historic highlights of The Landing. Take to the water for sight-seeing or fishing trips on our private boat. After that, meet New Zealand’s shy native icon – the kiwi – on a guided night walk. Paddleboards, kayaks, mountain bikes, tennis courts, gym and a steam room are also all available during your stay.

It’s a weekend of conviviality and gastronomic discovery and is set in one of the most beautiful retreats in the country. Don’t miss your chance to secure your place.

Women’s Wellness Weekend
The beauty and tranquility of The Landing in the Bay of Islands is the ideal escape for a three-day wellness journey. You will be led by yoga and mindfulness teacher Barbara Draper of Te Manawa Meditation and Mindfulness and also the team at the luxury natural beauty apothecary, Tonic Room.

You will be nurtured, nourished and taken care of by our talented team during your stay in our luxury accommodation. With everything you need to relax, unwind and reset at your fingertips, this weekend will truly be a weekend for you! Perfect for friends to enjoy time together and participate in all or as many sessions as you like.

Kiwi Night Walk
Lushly green and ringing with birdsong during the day, by night the New Zealand native forest is magically still and dark. Our Landing guide will take you on a torch-lit journey into the darkness to discover New Zealand’s shy iconic native bird, the kiwi.

This native bird species lives in abundance at The Landing. See burrows where they hide during the day and hear their calls to each other through the night air. Experience face-to-fuzzy-face interaction with them as they roam the forest searching for food in their favourite spots.

Marine Wildlife Cruise
The sparkling Bay of Islands harbour is a marine wonderland. Board The Landing’s boat Iti Rangi for a tour of the pristine coves and bays. Watch lounging seals and little blue penguins bobbing through the waves!

Closer to land, see rock colonies of seabirds, pods of dolphins and schools of fish in the clear shore waters. On a lucky day you may also get to see whales. Your Landing guide will talk you through sites of historic and geological interest. You will also wade past volcanic rock formations and archeological discoveries in the region.

Heritage Tour
Learn about the experiences of the first Pacific explorers, sailors, whalers, chiefs, missionaries, traders and settlers of New Zealand. These people founded one of New Zealand’s first townships their stories are integral to the history of the area.

Our guide will take you on a tour of archeological sites of interest at The Landing which takes you around the property. An important landmark is the Rangihoua Heritage Park and Marsden Cross memorial which sit above Rangihoua Bay.

The Ocean
The Landing has six private beaches ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkelling or relaxing on the golden sand as your children play in the safe, quiet waters of the bay. Our skippered private vessel Iti Rangi is available for you to cruise the coves of the peninsula to fish and encounter seals, dolphins, seabirds and other marine life.

Or if you like to chase big game, the luxury sport-fishing vessel Ata Rangi can be taken out for the day or overnight for some of the best marlin, tuna fishing in the world. The Bay of Islands also offers incredible scuba diving, and wreck diving, including the famous Rainbow Warrior and HMNZS Canterbury, parasailing, and hole-in-the-rock cruises.

The Landscape
The Landing sits within 1000 acres of native bush, wetland bird sanctuary and farmland, which you have full access to roam through on a network of tracks. Rise early for a hike or bike ride as the sun rises, rug up for a late-night kiwi spotting walk with one of our guides, or take a driving tour of sites of interest.

In the wider area, head out on a horse trek across beach or mountains with one of the local stables, visit glowworm caves in ancient rainforest or play golf at one of the world’s most spectacular courses, including the PGA tournament-quality Carrington course on the Karikari Peninsula and the internationally renowned Kauri Cliffs course.

Culture and Heritage

Rangihoua Bay, which neighbours The Landing, was the site of New Zealand’s first township of Māori and European settlers living and trading together. This shared history is honoured at the landmark Marsden Cross memorial and Rangihoua Heritage Park.

This landmark and heritage park adjoins The Landing and can be accessed via a spectacular walking path leading from the Residences. The Landing is home to a significant collection of artefacts and rare books, available to give you a deeper insight into Northland’s history and culture.

In the region, the charming towns of the area – Kerikeri, Russell, Paihia and Waitangi – lie within 15-35 minutes by car or boat. In the heritage town of Kerikeri, you’ll find local growers’ markets, while in Russell and Paihia, there are excellent restaurants and boutique stores.

The historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Museum are a site of national significance – the place where New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed – and are well worth a visit.

Website: www.thelandingnz.com

Rooms: 4

Price: from 5.468 EUR per night