Amongst the Trees
Sleeping under the stars in a treehouse in the Hakataramea Valley
Liz and her husband Andy Hayes had a clear idea of how they would share their beautiful slice of paradise in the Hakataramea Valley. Inspired by fond childhood memories, they have created something truly special – a luxury treehouse, offering guests an enchanting experience to remember.
HAVING ESTABLISHED A SUCCESSFUL BROADCASTING career, working for RadioLIVE and TV3 as a reporter throughout New Zealand, Liz Hayes, along with her husband Andy made the decision to return to the depths of the Hakataramea (Haka) Valley and take over his family’s farm in 2009. ‘Million Springs has been in the Hayes family for six generations,’ explains Liz, ‘so it was always a matter of when, not if.’ And while living on a farm full-time in the middle of nowhere is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of city life and the adrenalin of a reporter, it has proven to be everything she could have wanted. ‘I wouldn’t change a thing,’ continues Liz. ‘We are thrilled to have been trusted with this special part of New Zealand and are delighted we are now able to share it with others.’
Sharing their space wasn’t always on the cards. However, as the couple and their young family looked to make their own mark on the family farm, they knew they wanted to find ways to celebrate what made this slice of paradise so special. ‘It wasn’t always about accommodation,’ laughs Liz. ‘ We wanted to do something that would highlight the area, that this beautiful valley is the middle of nowhere, but at the same time exactly where you need to be. We knew we wanted to do something different, and offer an experience. We had woofers who had been showing us photos of a cedar sauna in the [Swiss] Alps, so had the idea of wood in our head, but then one night when Andy and I were looking at a block of trees on the farm it all fell into place. The views, the sunlight on the trees as it sets at night … a treehouse. It still gets me excited just talking about it.’ And so, Nest Tree Houses was born.
Liz’s excitement is hard not to get caught up in, given what they have achieved is breathtaking in its execution, but remarkably simple in its idea. ‘ Treehouses as a kid are full of imagination and adventure and we wanted to recreate that feeling. That magical sense of escaping somewhere special and sleeping under the stars.’ And that is exactly what they have done.
While the idea was simple, the execution was a little more challenging. ‘ The consent process was insane,’ explains Liz, and ultimately forced the couple to rethink their treehouse. ‘ To achieve what we needed [a liveable space] we had to shift our focus from a traditional treehouse built around a tree to a house within the trees.’ The end result is spectacular and still ver y much reminiscent of a childhood tree hut – just one designed especially for the discerning adult guest!
With Ashburton builder Dave McRae and team on-site building a new dairy shed, Liz and Andy utilised his services to undertake the required two-metre deep foundation, before
calling on Shape Construction to assist with the house itself. ‘The main structure is essentially a high cube container clad in Japanese cedar, inside and out,’ continues Liz. ‘Once it was built and fitted out, we had it craned in.’ All without removing any trees from the forest block.
With a four-metre drop from the deck it is an impressive feat of engineering, secured firmly on a steel frame. Yet when experiencing the house from the expansive deck, there is something delicate and ethereal about it. ‘It ’s an enchanting place to relax and just to be in,’ explains Liz. ‘ We wanted to celebrate the land and tempt people down a road less travelled to discover the hidden jewel that is our valley, and surrounds, and we have achieved that, all while plunging them into nature.’
Stepping inside the space there is everything you need for a treetop escape. A fireplace provides warmth on cooler nights, a compact yet beautifully functional bathroom space is found at the opposite end to the bed, and in the middle is a living area perfectly poised to soak in the views. ‘ We wanted to achieve something we would stay in,’ shares Liz with a smile. ‘And while the view is the hero, sometimes when people are away they just want to veg out and watch Netflix,’ she explains, as a hidden TV drops from the ceiling.
However, the view is hard to ignore with floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the treetop getaway with sunlight and showcasing the surrounding rural vista. ‘The entire front opens right up,’ continues Liz. ‘So no matter where you are – you are connected with nature.’ The best place to soak in the surrounds is without doubt submerged in the hot tub. ‘Between the stars at night and the festoon lights found throughout the forest, the hot tub is a magical place to be
‘We wanted to celebrate the land and tempt people down a road less travelled to discover the hidden jewel that is our valley.’
at night. You could be anywhere.’ And the offerings don’t end there, with a swing bridge connecting the deck to a second treetop platform which houses a cedar-clad sauna and outdoor shower.
While there are plans afoot for a second treehouse, Liz and Andy are content with just the one, and they are adamant that the forest will only ever hold two treehouses.
Having launched Nest Tree Houses at the end of April this year (2021), only a month after they finished construction the couple were unsure how things would pan out given the current global pandemic, yet they have been blown away by the support. ‘It has been so heartening to have people from all over New Zealand choose to come and stay with us. We didn’t know if it was an idea that would seem daft to others, and went into it thinking if it doesn’t work, at least we will have built a cool place to hide out from the kids,’ she jokes. ‘But it turns out there are lots of people who are as crazy as us and want to sleep amongst the trees.’
While the timing and execution may be deemed ‘bad’ due to Covid, the idea had been around for a while and Liz is delighted it has come to fruition. ‘We have wanted to diversify our farming business for some time and it has been so rewarding creating such a colourful secondary income stream. Although my friends are still shocked and laugh at the idea that I run a bed and breakfast,’ she says with a grin. ‘The catering aspect is something I never would have thought
The view is hard to ignore with floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the treetop getaway with sunlight and showcasing the surrounding rural vista.
I would do!’ As well as home-made muesli for breakfast and cookies on arrival, Liz has extended her culinary creativity to include evening platters. ‘They have been a wonderful excuse to get out and discover local producers, which I have loved. There are so many incredible people throughout the Waitaki Valley and I try and support them as much as I can.
‘Nest was about me finding something that would help celebrate what I love [the family farm/nest] to the world,’ concludes Liz. ‘And we have done that. It is our hope that just one step onto the swing bridge leading to the treehouse will take guests back to the simple carefree joy of childhood and allow them to truly relax in their surroundings.’
A feat they have well and truly accomplished.
‘ It is our hope that just one step onto the swing bridge will take guests back to the simple carefree joy of childhood and allow them to truly relax in their surroundings.’