Okoro is located within native forest on a private 126-acre estate overlooking Tasman Bay, with the Kahurangi Range and Mount Arthur beyond.
Welcoming guests from late 2024, the position of the luxury guest accommodation and its award-winning design are arranged to enhance the feeling of privacy, seclusion and tranquillity, with infinity views of earth, ocean and the southern hemisphere skyscape.
Okoro is a site of significant cultural, conservation and geographic value. The Estate borders the northern city of Nelson on the edge of the suburb of Atawhai. This follows the coastline of Tasman Bay and the geographic phenomenon of the Boulder Bank. Atawhai is the location of Wakapuaka Cemetery, a burial place since 1861 and the Whakatū Marae.
Atawhai was first settled by Māori communities, who were attracted to the area due to its abundant natural resources and fertile land.
The English explorer Captain Cook sailed along this self-same coast in 1769, but it was not until 1841 that sailing ships brought the first immigrant pioneers, landing them at Nelson Haven, the estuary visible from Okoro.
This too was the first European settlement in the South Island of New Zealand.
The challenging hilly site is home to both original and regenerating native forest. Part of the estate had been planted with exotic timber for industry and export however, this has begun to be phased out, and native replanting now initiated in those areas. Further east beyond the rugged mountainous hinterland, is an explorer’s and huntsman’s paradise.
The Owners of Okoro purchased the site as their home after years working overseas and returning to New Zealand with children at school age needing a permanent anchor. They found a wilderness of native fern and kanuka among the regenerating native, and a mountainside of exotic pine forests.
Within the property today are three privately-owned Residences built between 1984 and 2004, one of which is the Owners Residence and the other now a custom designer conversion to premium luxury guest accommodation (Okoro).
The 10-acre block of pine forest on the hillsides to the south of Okoro was felled in 2022 and a regenerative native plant programme commenced reinstating the hillside to its original native forest. This is an ongoing project.
Devastating floods in the Nelson region early in 2023 expedited several development projects protecting the environment from future major weather events. These included the formation of a sealed driveway, the establishment of a walkways through the native bush and an extensive ongoing predator trapping programme.
Also developed were the organic vegetable gardens and heritage fruit orchard. This was done so as a sustainable resource for Okoro’s cuisine offering with the kitchens green waste replenishing the soil.
Okoro works closely with the Nelson City Council in various aspects of environmental enhancement.
Pest Control
The effort to enhance the health of the native flora and fauna is a major point of focus at Okoro and the partnership and support of the NCC in this is greatly valued. This program is ongoing with Phase 1 now completed. This phase comprised the eradication (knock-down) of the wild goat and possum population and the ongoing maintenance of this status against re-invasion.
Noxious Weed Control
Okoro works with the NCC in the control of invasive plants. This is done directly through interaction with both the Environmental and Biosecurity Departments at the NCC.
The NCC have participated directly in the control of the Old Man’s Beard weed on the property having placed teams for extended periods of time on the property in the eradication process. This is an ongoing program. Okoro staff and owners also participate in this effort, spending considerable time on this project.
Similar to the Old Man’s Beard control program, the NCC Biosecurity department periodically dispatched personnel to identify and control both Taiwan Cherry and White edge Nightshade (Solanum Marginatum) invasive weeds.
Okoro employed a contractor for 2 weeks in the 2024-2025 summer period to eradicate the nightshade weed from the area cleared of pines to the south of the main accommodation building on the property.
Native Replanting Program
Of particular importance on the property is the re-planting of cleared pine forest areas. The recently cleared 10-acre area is in the process of being replanted, with 3000 native trees being planted on the area during the spring of 2024. Further planting is planned for the winter/spring period of 2026 on this area together with ongoing control and management of wilding pines.
The remaining 27 acres of pine forest will be harvested in approximately 8 years’ time. It is the intention to not replant pine forest on this area and to actively encourage the regeneration of native bush on this area through continued replanting and management of natural native regrowth.
Owners Howard & Beryl encourage and invite the interest of guests to share the ongoing regeneration and conservation of the Okoro Estate. Cleared trails, signage and plant labelling allow easy exploration.