Theo’s Cottage Upgrade: A Luxury Stay with a Community Spirit
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At Ngā Manu Nature Reserve, Theo’s Cottage has always been one of our most unique stays on the Kāpiti Coast. Nestled in the heart of the reserve, it offers guests a peaceful retreat where they can relax, reconnect with nature, and immerse themselves in the magic of New Zealand wildlife.
With the help of incredible local businesses, Theo’s Cottage has now received a luxury interior upgrade, elevating the experience for our guests and giving the cottage a fresh, stylish, and modern feel. These enhancements allow us to compete on a higher accommodation level while preserving the cottage’s distinctive charm.
Supporting Conservation Through Community Spirit
The vast majority of the project costs were gifted in-kind by four amazing sponsorship partners:
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Andy Magee Plumbing provided all plumbing labour and most smaller fittings, and organised for Zip Plumbing to supply around $7,500 in bathroom fittings for only $1,600.
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Daniel Bradbury Tiling (DB Tiling) supplied all tiling labour and worked with Tile Trends Paraparaumu to provide tiling products in-kind.
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Additional support came from Bostik NZ, Mapei NZ and Moggens NZ, supplying essential materials to complete the project.
Together, these businesses have made it possible for Ngā Manu to upgrade Theo’s Cottage for a fraction of the cost while supporting the reserve’s financial sustainability and ongoing conservation work. If you’re looking for a plumber, tiler, tiles, or bathroom fittings, we encourage you to keep these amazing local businesses in mind!
A Luxury, Flexible Stay
Theo’s Cottage is now ready to welcome guests from across the lower North Island and beyond. Whether you’re a family, couple, or solo traveller, the upgraded cottage offers the chance to immerse yourself in the reserve overnight.
Guests can tailor their own experience, combining their stay with activities like the Kiwi Night Encounter, a daytime visit to meet native birds, or the eel feed and talk. This flexibility allows visitors to create a personalised adventure while enjoying exclusive access to one of the Kāpiti Coast’s most unique stays.
Raising the Standard for International Visitors
The aim of the upgrade is to raise Theo’s Cottage to an international tourist standard, helping to attract more guests and increase occupancy rates. By enhancing the visitor experience, we hope to grow bookings for our Ultimate Overnight Kiwi Experience, provide more income from international tourism, and continue delivering vital conservation work at Ngā Manu.
We’re thrilled to open this new chapter for Theo’s Cottage and can’t wait to welcome guests to enjoy its luxury, comfort, and connection to nature.
Book your stay and experience Theo’s Cottage for yourself: Overnight Nature Experience