Kopi Bush Retreat

All from this beautiful island yum

This year is already flying by ✈️ — and Lesley is off again leading another exciting tour on the Chatham Islands.

This time she’s hosting a wonderful group of bird enthusiasts, joined by New Zealand Chatham Islands ornithologist Ela Hunt, for a very special birding adventure across Rēkohu.

Over the coming days the group will be exploring the islands’ rugged coastlines, remote landscapes and predator-protected habitats as they search for and photograph as many of the unique endemic Chatham Islands bird species as possible. 🐦

From the striking Pitt Island S**g to the beautiful Parea (Chatham Island pigeon) and other rare island species, the Chathams are one of the most remarkable birding destinations in the world — and we feel incredibly privileged to share these experiences with passionate travellers who care deeply about conservation and wildlife.

Like all Travel With Lesley Whyte tours, the journey is also about sharing special moments together — connecting with the landscape, learning from local experts and swapping stories after a day out exploring.
Stay tuned for bird sightings and adventures from the islands over the coming days!

🐦🌿

As one of the world’s recognised Dark Sky locations, we wanted to create a special place for our guests to truly take it all in. ✨ After a week of laying bricks and planting around it, we sat back, poured a well-earned glass of vino, and watched the landscape slowly fade into night. By day, it’s a place to pause and take in the endless views. By night, it becomes the perfect spot to experience the brilliance of the Chathams’ untouched night sky.

For those who’ve been wondering, our valias are still happy and thriving. They spend their days exploring, relaxing, and patiently waiting for their next handful of nuts. Island life at its finest 🐑.

Something so small can be incredibly special 🌿. These beautiful endemic orchids, which are one of the smallest in the world, grown right here on the Chatham Islands, and even in our own backyard. Nature at its rarest, waiting to be discovered.

Views like this never get old. Looking out across our duck pond toward the township of Waitangi, it’s a reminder that some things are best experienced in person, not through a screen…. Come and see it for yourself 🌄.

And we nearly there
So exciting and lots of lovely helpers
Kopis first of hopefully many chalets
Can’t wait to get in there and style it

We recently welcomed some special guests who fully embraced island life, taking part in the annual fishing competition and heading out on their first pig hunt. There were a few impressive catches, a couple of prizes, and plenty of laughs along the way. Meanwhile, the island’s local sparky (an angler from way back) may have enjoyed himself just a little too much with his catch.

Warmer days on the Chathams signal the start of honey harvesting season. 🍯 One of our proudest local specialties, Tarahina Honey captures the unique flavour of the island’s native flora. A true taste of the Chathams, made right here, one of only two remaining disease-free sanctuaries for honeybees globally.

The New Year may be well underway, but we’ve been quietly working on something exciting behind the scenes at Kopi Bush Retreat… 🌿 Our new cabins are on their way!

Stay tuned as we share the progress of our upcoming onsite accommodation, we can’t wait to welcome you soon.

Well it may be Christmas but we are as busy as ever .
Projects here there and everywhere. Still on a high from out six 60 guests. Sorry Micheal Jackson I now have a new fav concert memory hehe
New chalet site being done, deep cleaning, baby ducks , baby chickens , out of season a baby Valais Honey collecting and drop in journalists.
I don't think we have time to get on the plane hehe
Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and happy new year. Love to all our whanau friends new and old. We appreciate you all xx