About Us

Welcome — we’re David and Chloe, along with our two children, Hunter and Charlotte. While we’re now based in beautiful Wānaka, our family has called Lake Tekapo home for more than 40 years — a place that shaped our love of the outdoors, travel, and creating memorable experiences together.

I (David) spent 12 years living in Western Australia and 5 years in Scotland before returning home to New Zealand. I’m a passionate aviator, often flying my Cessna 180 into some of the country’s most remote and breathtaking locations. Alongside hosting, I work with Forbes Global Properties, connecting people with exceptional homes across New Zealand.

Stargazing runs deep in our family story. My father was the pioneer of stargazing tourism in New Zealand, and today our family are proud 50% shareholders in the Dark Sky Project at Lake Tekapo — the world-renowned gateway to the night skies of the Mackenzie Basin. This connection inspires much of what we offer at our Tekapo retreats, where the skies remain just as clear and awe-inspiring as when my father first began sharing them.

Chloe is the heart of our family and runs her own business, Harland & Associates, providing ACC advocacy services to help people navigate New Zealand’s accident compensation system. She also brings her care and attention to detail into our retreats, ensuring every space feels warm and thoughtfully designed.

Our collection of retreats reflects the way we love to live: close to nature, filled with light, and designed to bring both comfort and inspiration. From stargazing at our Tekapo hideaways, to soaking in a spa beneath alpine skies, to unwinding among the treetops at Tui’s Nest, or relaxing by the river at Te Awa Lodge in Wānaka (a property owned by my family, which I now manage on their behalf), each place has been created with care to feel special, restorative, and unforgettable.

We look forward to welcoming you and hope you’ll enjoy these places as much as we do.