Treat your team to an unforgettable Christmas experience this year.

If you are looking for a truly unique experience for your team's Christmas get together this year, come and share together the magic of the maunga. This is an exclusive opportunity for small groups to recharge and celebrate in the outdoors, while at the same time learning more about this world-class conservation project. Through your booking, you will be giving back to the incredible work of the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust in restoring the biodiversity of Maungatautari.

Duration: 3 hours
Group size: 8 - 16 people

$190 - $250pp (plus GST)

Programme overview

11am: Arrive at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari 

11.15am: Ancient forest highlights tour (50minutes). As we make our way into Maungatautari's Southern Enclosure, hear from Sanctuary Mountain staff about the birds and the bees, the flowers and the trees and what makes this ambitious conservation project truly special as the largest mainland ecological island in the world! It is about 1km to walk into the secret Bush Boardroom location.

Lunch: Enjoy a truly unique Christmas together lunch nestled in the bush under the canopy, with the birds for company. 

After lunch, mix and mingle in the events centre or take the opportunity for a short 5minute walk up to the tree tower to view these ancient giants from their heights.

2pm: Walk out and finish

Note: * We are unable to serve alcohol on Maungatautari, but will serve a selection of hot and cold festive beverages.
* We do have a wonderful open-sided canvas tent cover for our Bush Boardroom to account for the weather when needed!

What's Included?

  • 50 minute guided Ancient Forest highlights tour, by Sanctuary Mountain's expert volunteers
  • Christmas Buffet lunch with locally and consciously sourced ingredients, immersed in the Bush
  • Our packages include on average a 15% - 30% conservation contribution to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari from your company


All prices New Zealand dollars and GST exclusive.

OPTION: Talk to us about turning it into a full day by adding...

A mindful hike on the maunga

There's bodies of research to support that time spent in nature reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, elevates mood and can even boost your body’s immune response. 

Walking in nature can also boost creative output (divergent thinking) by 60% on average! So it's far more powerful than sitting around trying to solve a problem or come up with new ideas. In fact, Steve Jobs was known for his walking meetings. Come on a mindful hike with us - we can prime your team's creativity for an afternoon session by taking a short walk, letting their unconscious minds roam.

Aotearoa Survival Experience

Aotearoa survival scenario: Imagine being one of the first to arrive in ancient Aotearoa. 

Moa are roaming the countryside, giant predatory birds hunt the skies and the ground is covered in thick canopy. Your group will be split into teams and given a scenario and a bounty of survival items from which they must work together to ensure they live through a series of challenges!

A glowworm kayaking experience

Explore the Waikato river by kayak with the team and enjoy the magic of the Pokaiwhenua canyon.

We can organise a fun team building activity at 'the landing', or you can simply relax as you paddle gently and enjoy stories from local guides. For something extra special, try the night time Glow worm kayak experience. As night arrives over Lake Karāpiro, paddle slowly up the stream and through the canyon carved out by water over many hundreds of years. When darkness falls, float silently back downstream, being guided by the glow worms on either side sparkling like fairy lights.

100% New Zealand owned and operated business

We are a family run business who have been running highly rated hiking and food tours since 2017. We're approved DOC concession operators and we've achieved a GOLD Qualmark endorsement for our experiences.