Kia ora and welcome,
We’re Emelie and Sefton, founders of KONA Retreat, and we’re so glad you’re here.
Thank you all so much for your support! We are excited to send you our first-ever Community Newsletter. We’d love to take you along for the journey and share with you our discoveries, renovations, learnings and great views from the land.
KONA Retreat is set on 99 acres of coastal forest in Mataikona, New Zealand. We moved to our land 5 months ago with big dreams of renovating the quirky stays on the land and regenerating the forest, so we can share the experiences with all of you!
We are currently working on:
Renovating a 1980s New Zealand Railways Guards wagon, now officially named The Mataikona Express
A one-of-a-kind treehouse stay
Experiences like guided stargazing, breathwork sessions, and scenic guided hikes (including “hike in / hike out” stays)
Taming the invasive weeds and lilies so we can give the native forest space to breathe
Understanding the way the land changes through the seasons, the trails, temperature, animals, water, tides and the food forest.
Looking ahead, we know we have taken on the biggest project of our lives. But therein lies the magic; it will become our life’s work.
🌿 Our Journey So Far
It’s been an exciting start to this dream. In just six weeks, we’ve grown an amazing community of 3,000+ followers on TikTok, sharing weekly updates on our build, restoration, and progress.
One of the highlights? Our 1980s New Zealand Railways guards wagon has officially been re-piled, and we’ve begun the next stage — welding and repairing the rusted sections with fresh steel.
And to mark a special milestone, we’ve given this vintage beauty her name:
🚂 The Mataikona Express.
To celebrate, we had a custom Corten steel sign made by Amy at Plazmart NZ — a stunning piece that perfectly captures the vibe of the train we’re bringing into the retreat’s design.
🏡 Now Open: Deerview Cabin — Our First Stay on Airbnb
We’re thrilled to share a huge milestone — our first stay is officially live on Airbnb!
Escape to Deerview Cabin — a private Mataikona retreat for two, nestled among forest and red deer, with incredible stargazing and close to Mataikona Beach.
Just a short walk to the beach and a 15-minute drive to Castlepoint Lighthouse, this hideaway is perfect for fishing, diving, surfing, or simply unwinding on the deck with a drink in hand.
Featuring a Queen bed, ensuite bathroom, full kitchen, and BBQ, it’s your invitation to experience the first chapter of KONA Retreat in person.
🔢 KONA in Numbers
A few fun facts from the forest:
🌳 +3 native trees planted
🦌 18 deer spotted this month
📏 1200 metres of timber + 3 massive sheets of steel ordered for builds
📸 3,000+ social followers and growing
🏡 1 Airbnb live (and more to come!)
🌊 Countless surfy waves caught in between the renovations
💬 A Note from Us
We started KONA Retreat with a simple dream; to create a place where people can slow down, reconnect with nature, and find peace in the quiet beauty of coastal New Zealand. We are so excited to create unique experiences and stays for people.
Every project, every weld, every tree we clear or plant brings us closer to that vision and we’re so grateful to have you here for the journey.
Thank you for being part of the beginning.
With gratitude,
Emelie & Sefton
KONA Retreat
💌 You’re Part of the KONA Community
Expect occasional updates about our renovation journey, new stays, events, and behind-the-scenes stories from the place where the forest meets the sea.