Experience the magic of Escarpment Domes
By Aaron Hawkins
PledgeMe.Project
Tourism,
NZ $35,609 pledged
81 people pledged
8 days left
NZ $50,000 minimum target
Pledges will only be confirmed if the target is reached by: 19/05/2024 at 9:00 PM (NZST)
Make a PledgeAbout
Experience The Magic Of Escarpment Domes
Project 2024-04-10 11:13:54 +1200
What's going on here then?
Escarpment Domes in Pukerua Bay offers destination accommodation that helps grow native forests with each visit. It's a new social enterprise built on the values of regenerative tourism.
This is your chance to be one of our very first guests.
Between 1996-2018 alone we lost nearly 90,000 hectares of native forest and bush in Aotearoa. Around 4000 of our native species are at risk of extinction.
Meanwhile, travellers - both domestically and internationally - are increasingly looking for visitor experiences that tread more lightly on the planet.
Escarpment Domes is an elegant part of the solution to both of these problems.
A new kind of visitor experience
Imagine a weekend getaway that not only revitalises your spirit, but also enhances the natural environment of your surroundings.
Just 30 minutes north of Wellington by car or train.
Right now we're building four domes on an epic site in Pukerua Bay - looking straight out over Kāpiti Island - and you can be one of the first to walk through their doors.
There are three accommodation domes. Two are 6m in diameter and on a single level, sleeping up to 3 people. One is 8m in diameter, with a mezzanine master bedroom, sleeping up to 6 (but still perfect for one or two of you).
Each of them comes with their own bathroom and kitchen, plus an outdoor bath, and are entirely off grid - solar energy; gas heated water; and water pumped from a spring on site. They're heated, insulated and warm.
The fourth dome offers a communal space where you can get to know your neighbours.
We will host you in this special spot, and reinvest the proceeds into biodiversity projects on site, breathing new life into this beautiful, semi-retired farmland.
We're working with Te Rito Gardens in Porirua - another wonderful social enterprise - on a five year native planting plan. We're particularly excited about expanding the footprint of the kohekohe here.
To protect the new forests we'll be repairing fences, trapping pests, and sourcing seeds for propogation.
All of the money raised from this campaign goes towards supporting this mission.
We don't know much about art, but we know what we like
We've come together over a shared love for our natural environment, and great experiences in incredible destinations.
Right now we're working with sculptors, musicians, designers and writers to enhance your stay at Escarpment Domes, and build connections between you and the whenua.
Whether you want to experience the sun setting over the ocean; discover hidden gems in the forest; or curl up on the couch with a good book, we've got you covered.
By supporting this campaign you're helping us plan the next round of wild creations, in what will be an evolving art and experience programme.
A few more things!
- Escarpment Domes is at the southern end of the Escarpment Track, and is the perfect way to unwind after an adventure along this epic coastal walkway.
- We will collect you up from Pukerua Bay train station (or from our carpark) and chauffeur you to the domes in the height of early 90s Japanese luxury vans: the 1991 Mitsubishi Delica Super Exceed.
- No indulgent weekend is complete without good coffee. Espresso and pastries will be provided free of charge and fresh each morning.
- Our rewards are fully transferrable, so even if you can't make it yourself they're the perfect gift for someone who can.
- If you have particular booking dates in mind, get in touch. These will be managed on a first come / first served basis. After you've pledged, send us an email to [email protected] and we'll see what's available.
- Sadly, no pets are allowed on site so they'll need a holiday of their own.
Who are we?
We are three friends, who have come together to launch a new social enterprise called Floruit: a social enterprise with a long term vision for biodiversity recovery and building stronger communities.
We're working with landowners to reimagine land use by introducing innovative business models that enable investment.
Above all else, we're committed to leaving the whenua in a state that best supports future generations.
Escarpment Domes is our first project.
Hugh Evans has co-founded the successful social enterprise projects Thankyou Payroll and Cheese Cartel. He is an experienced company director and leads the technology and design projects for Floruit.
Blair Boswell was formerly the COO for Todd Solar, as well as being an experienced company director and General Manager of one New Zealand’s largest corporations. Blair is head of operations for Floruit.
Aaron Hawkins is the former Mayor of Dunedin, and an experienced governor and RMA commissioner. He has a strong background in the arts and independent radio, and is leading on planning and creative programming.
Timeline
May 19th: PledgeMe campaign closes
May 20th: Booking site goes live for PledgeMe supporters
May 27th: Booking site goes live for the general public
Early June: First guests hosted at Escarpment Domes
Follow us on our journey over on Facebook or Instagram.
Comments
Updates 5
Introducing the 1991 Mitsubishi Delica Super Exceed
09/05/2024 at 4:56 PM
Kia ora koutou
One of the questions we get asked the most (given how gloriously remote the views are) is: "How do we get there?"
(One of the others is: are there showers. Yes. Every dome has a shower).
But I digress.
The beauty of Escarpment Domes is that this remote paradise is still so close to civilisation. You'll find us just 35 minutes from Wellington by car or (preferably) by train.
Jump off at the Pukerua Bay Station, and we'll come collect you ...
In our 1991 Mitsubishi Delica Super Exceed.
Because what good is a weekend getaway without being chauffered in the height of early 90s Japanese van luxury?
Some of you may be Super Exceed aficianados, so to cut to the chase:
1. Sadly, we haven't managed to get the built in karaoke system to work yet. Yet.
2. Yes, it still has its factory issue, temperature controlled beverage compartment.
3. The seats are even more comfortable than you would imagine early 90s van seats to be.
You can still drive your own car to our carpark, but if you're up for minimising your footprint as much as possible, the Pukerua Bay Station pickup is a good option.
Either way, fear not! It is the trusty Super Exceed that will take you from the carpark; up the track; and over the crest of the hill to your acommodation.
Just wait until you see Hugh's passenger drivers' license. Our excitement is truly palpable.
There are just ten days left on our PledgeMe campaign. Thanks again for coming with us on our journey so far. We need to hit $50,000 by Sunday May 19th or we all go home empty handed!
Keep sharing the page with friends and family, and jump on our Facebook and Instagram to give them a nudge, too.
Arohanui
Aaron & The Floruit Team
Flights out and away we go!
07/05/2024 at 11:39 AM
Kia ora
We're now a week and a half into our PledgeMe campaign, and are stoked to have nudged past 70% of our fundraising target this morning.
It's exciting to have so much support for this project, and for this kaupapa, when nobody has even seen the finished product yet.
We're looking forward to sharing a bit more of the interior world with you later next week though, so keep an eye out for that.
A big part of the Escarpment Domes journey is reimagining what visitor destinations and tourism can be, and designing experiences that tread more lightly on the planet.
The domes themselves are all off grid. Solar arrays provide the power, and we're pumping water from a natural spring on the farm, but it has to live somewhere before it gets filtered for drinking and showering.
Which means we needed a pretty big water tank, and there was only one way of getting it up there.
Last week the team at Wellington Helicopters picked it up and plonked it into place for us. It's now in position and ready to provide loyal service to our first guests in June.
Thanks again for your support of Escarpment Domes. Please keep sharing our PledgeMe page with friends and family, and follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook, it really does help us make this thing fly.
Arohanui
Aaron & The Floruit Team
Planting the seeds of wider wellbeing
30/04/2024 at 11:00 AM
Kia ora
Another day, another milestone. There are now fifty (and counting) of you who have reached into your wallets to help us make this magic happen.
Which seems as good a time as any to introduce you to some of the people we're working with to transform this beautiful piece of land.
Floruit (the business behind Escarpment Domes) is a social enterprise. Which means we're always looking for this project to support the wider wellbeing of our community - socially, culturally, economically, and environmentally.
It makes sense for us, then, to work with other outfits with those same values.
Te Rito Gardens in Porirua is also a social enterprise. It was great to host Yolande and Steve on site recently when we put our first plants in the ground.
Te Rito is a social enterprise co-operative that grows and sells native plants. They provide a training environmental that supports people into horticultural careers, particularly those who have barriers to maintaining meaningful employment.
Beyond this, they deliver community education programmes; support the local EnviroSchools kaupapa; and do their own seed sourcing.
The perfect fit for us, we reckon, as we put together our five year planting plan for the site.
If you're in the Porirua area show them some love.
Otherwise, please keep sharing our PledgeMe page with friends and whānau as we continue out fundraising push.
Arohanui,
The Floruit Team
We are now halfway to success.
28/04/2024 at 7:58 PM
Kia ora
Wow. A truly humbling couple of days seeing people swing in behind this kauapapa and get us to the point where we're already halfway to our fundraising target!
Which means we're halfway to the bit where everyone who's pledged so far gets to claim their rewards.
But to make sure that they do, there's plenty more room at the inn! If you support the kauapa, please keep sharing our PledgeMe page with friends and whānau. Likewise, we'd love it if you could follow us over on Instagram and/or Facebook.
Thanks heaps to Tom McKinlay from the Otago Daily Times for having a chat with Aaron in The Weekend Mix. Truly a pleasure to have such a wide ranging kōrero with someone who gets what we're trying to do.
The story is currently paywalled here, but if you were in the Deep South you should still be able to grab a physical copy and have a read.
Arohanui,
Hugh, Blair & Aaron
Escarpment Domes is now live!
26/04/2024 at 2:29 PM
Kia ora!
Thanks for getting on board early and supporting our pre-sale campaign. We appreciate it more than you could ever know.
Our PledgeMe page is now public, which means you're now welcome (nay, encouraged!) to spread the word far and wide.
We'll keep you posted over the the next three weeks as this campaign progresses, but in the meantime a very TGIF to you from the Escarpment Domes crew.
Kā mihi nui
Aaron
Pledgers 81
11/05/2024 at 9:32pm
"Looking forward to staying and walking the escarpment track with a group of good friends. "
11/05/2024 at 7:36am
"You guys rock! What a great project"
11/05/2024 at 7:35am
"Just the kind of positive development Aotearoa NZ needs. Thank you and best of luck. "
10/05/2024 at 9:20pm
"Looks good!"
10/05/2024 at 1:36pm
10/05/2024 at 11:45am
09/05/2024 at 7:15pm
"Love your work. Very excited to be able to support!"
08/05/2024 at 8:46pm
07/05/2024 at 1:20pm
"great for the community!"
07/05/2024 at 11:57am
"Love this work! Super stoked to support, my dad and his partner will have a flash night when they come up and stay with us in Pukerua Bay."
07/05/2024 at 10:57am
"Very innovative idea good luck with your project"
07/05/2024 at 10:31am
"Best wishes for this amazing project!"
06/05/2024 at 9:46am
06/05/2024 at 7:25am
"Good luck reaching your target!"
06/05/2024 at 6:44am
05/05/2024 at 9:57pm
"Well done on another awesome innovative project!"
05/05/2024 at 8:36pm
05/05/2024 at 1:31pm
"Inspirational project - can’t wait to stay with my family! "
05/05/2024 at 8:07am
"Ka rawe! Love the work and proud so see some Dunedin legends contributing to the whenua up here in te Upoko o te Ika. Excited to come stay!"
04/05/2024 at 8:08pm
04/05/2024 at 4:33pm
"Love your work! And those views 😍"
03/05/2024 at 7:44pm
03/05/2024 at 8:52am
02/05/2024 at 9:57pm
02/05/2024 at 8:05pm
02/05/2024 at 7:34pm
"Awesome gift for my husband’s birthday! Can’t wait to share it with him🤗"
02/05/2024 at 11:23am
02/05/2024 at 8:17am
30/04/2024 at 7:47pm
"Cannot wait to stay!"
30/04/2024 at 6:21pm
Followers 1
Followers of Experience the magic of Escarpment Domes
Experience The Magic Of Escarpment Domes
Project 2024-04-10 11:13:54 +1200
What's going on here then?
Escarpment Domes in Pukerua Bay offers destination accommodation that helps grow native forests with each visit. It's a new social enterprise built on the values of regenerative tourism.
This is your chance to be one of our very first guests.
Between 1996-2018 alone we lost nearly 90,000 hectares of native forest and bush in Aotearoa. Around 4000 of our native species are at risk of extinction.
Meanwhile, travellers - both domestically and internationally - are increasingly looking for visitor experiences that tread more lightly on the planet.
Escarpment Domes is an elegant part of the solution to both of these problems.
A new kind of visitor experience
Imagine a weekend getaway that not only revitalises your spirit, but also enhances the natural environment of your surroundings.
Just 30 minutes north of Wellington by car or train.
Right now we're building four domes on an epic site in Pukerua Bay - looking straight out over Kāpiti Island - and you can be one of the first to walk through their doors.
There are three accommodation domes. Two are 6m in diameter and on a single level, sleeping up to 3 people. One is 8m in diameter, with a mezzanine master bedroom, sleeping up to 6 (but still perfect for one or two of you).
Each of them comes with their own bathroom and kitchen, plus an outdoor bath, and are entirely off grid - solar energy; gas heated water; and water pumped from a spring on site. They're heated, insulated and warm.
The fourth dome offers a communal space where you can get to know your neighbours.
We will host you in this special spot, and reinvest the proceeds into biodiversity projects on site, breathing new life into this beautiful, semi-retired farmland.
We're working with Te Rito Gardens in Porirua - another wonderful social enterprise - on a five year native planting plan. We're particularly excited about expanding the footprint of the kohekohe here.
To protect the new forests we'll be repairing fences, trapping pests, and sourcing seeds for propogation.
All of the money raised from this campaign goes towards supporting this mission.
We don't know much about art, but we know what we like
We've come together over a shared love for our natural environment, and great experiences in incredible destinations.
Right now we're working with sculptors, musicians, designers and writers to enhance your stay at Escarpment Domes, and build connections between you and the whenua.
Whether you want to experience the sun setting over the ocean; discover hidden gems in the forest; or curl up on the couch with a good book, we've got you covered.
By supporting this campaign you're helping us plan the next round of wild creations, in what will be an evolving art and experience programme.
A few more things!
- Escarpment Domes is at the southern end of the Escarpment Track, and is the perfect way to unwind after an adventure along this epic coastal walkway.
- We will collect you up from Pukerua Bay train station (or from our carpark) and chauffeur you to the domes in the height of early 90s Japanese luxury vans: the 1991 Mitsubishi Delica Super Exceed.
- No indulgent weekend is complete without good coffee. Espresso and pastries will be provided free of charge and fresh each morning.
- Our rewards are fully transferrable, so even if you can't make it yourself they're the perfect gift for someone who can.
- If you have particular booking dates in mind, get in touch. These will be managed on a first come / first served basis. After you've pledged, send us an email to [email protected] and we'll see what's available.
- Sadly, no pets are allowed on site so they'll need a holiday of their own.
Who are we?
We are three friends, who have come together to launch a new social enterprise called Floruit: a social enterprise with a long term vision for biodiversity recovery and building stronger communities.
We're working with landowners to reimagine land use by introducing innovative business models that enable investment.
Above all else, we're committed to leaving the whenua in a state that best supports future generations.
Escarpment Domes is our first project.
Hugh Evans has co-founded the successful social enterprise projects Thankyou Payroll and Cheese Cartel. He is an experienced company director and leads the technology and design projects for Floruit.
Blair Boswell was formerly the COO for Todd Solar, as well as being an experienced company director and General Manager of one New Zealand’s largest corporations. Blair is head of operations for Floruit.
Aaron Hawkins is the former Mayor of Dunedin, and an experienced governor and RMA commissioner. He has a strong background in the arts and independent radio, and is leading on planning and creative programming.
Timeline
May 19th: PledgeMe campaign closes
May 20th: Booking site goes live for PledgeMe supporters
May 27th: Booking site goes live for the general public
Early June: First guests hosted at Escarpment Domes
Follow us on our journey over on Facebook or Instagram.
Comments
Introducing the 1991 Mitsubishi Delica Super Exceed
09/05/2024 at 4:56 PM
Kia ora koutou
One of the questions we get asked the most (given how gloriously remote the views are) is: "How do we get there?"
(One of the others is: are there showers. Yes. Every dome has a shower).
But I digress.
The beauty of Escarpment Domes is that this remote paradise is still so close to civilisation. You'll find us just 35 minutes from Wellington by car or (preferably) by train.
Jump off at the Pukerua Bay Station, and we'll come collect you ...
In our 1991 Mitsubishi Delica Super Exceed.
Because what good is a weekend getaway without being chauffered in the height of early 90s Japanese van luxury?
Some of you may be Super Exceed aficianados, so to cut to the chase:
1. Sadly, we haven't managed to get the built in karaoke system to work yet. Yet.
2. Yes, it still has its factory issue, temperature controlled beverage compartment.
3. The seats are even more comfortable than you would imagine early 90s van seats to be.
You can still drive your own car to our carpark, but if you're up for minimising your footprint as much as possible, the Pukerua Bay Station pickup is a good option.
Either way, fear not! It is the trusty Super Exceed that will take you from the carpark; up the track; and over the crest of the hill to your acommodation.
Just wait until you see Hugh's passenger drivers' license. Our excitement is truly palpable.
There are just ten days left on our PledgeMe campaign. Thanks again for coming with us on our journey so far. We need to hit $50,000 by Sunday May 19th or we all go home empty handed!
Keep sharing the page with friends and family, and jump on our Facebook and Instagram to give them a nudge, too.
Arohanui
Aaron & The Floruit Team
Flights out and away we go!
07/05/2024 at 11:39 AM
Kia ora
We're now a week and a half into our PledgeMe campaign, and are stoked to have nudged past 70% of our fundraising target this morning.
It's exciting to have so much support for this project, and for this kaupapa, when nobody has even seen the finished product yet.
We're looking forward to sharing a bit more of the interior world with you later next week though, so keep an eye out for that.
A big part of the Escarpment Domes journey is reimagining what visitor destinations and tourism can be, and designing experiences that tread more lightly on the planet.
The domes themselves are all off grid. Solar arrays provide the power, and we're pumping water from a natural spring on the farm, but it has to live somewhere before it gets filtered for drinking and showering.
Which means we needed a pretty big water tank, and there was only one way of getting it up there.
Last week the team at Wellington Helicopters picked it up and plonked it into place for us. It's now in position and ready to provide loyal service to our first guests in June.
Thanks again for your support of Escarpment Domes. Please keep sharing our PledgeMe page with friends and family, and follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook, it really does help us make this thing fly.
Arohanui
Aaron & The Floruit Team
Planting the seeds of wider wellbeing
30/04/2024 at 11:00 AM
Kia ora
Another day, another milestone. There are now fifty (and counting) of you who have reached into your wallets to help us make this magic happen.
Which seems as good a time as any to introduce you to some of the people we're working with to transform this beautiful piece of land.
Floruit (the business behind Escarpment Domes) is a social enterprise. Which means we're always looking for this project to support the wider wellbeing of our community - socially, culturally, economically, and environmentally.
It makes sense for us, then, to work with other outfits with those same values.
Te Rito Gardens in Porirua is also a social enterprise. It was great to host Yolande and Steve on site recently when we put our first plants in the ground.
Te Rito is a social enterprise co-operative that grows and sells native plants. They provide a training environmental that supports people into horticultural careers, particularly those who have barriers to maintaining meaningful employment.
Beyond this, they deliver community education programmes; support the local EnviroSchools kaupapa; and do their own seed sourcing.
The perfect fit for us, we reckon, as we put together our five year planting plan for the site.
If you're in the Porirua area show them some love.
Otherwise, please keep sharing our PledgeMe page with friends and whānau as we continue out fundraising push.
Arohanui,
The Floruit Team
We are now halfway to success.
28/04/2024 at 7:58 PM
Kia ora
Wow. A truly humbling couple of days seeing people swing in behind this kauapapa and get us to the point where we're already halfway to our fundraising target!
Which means we're halfway to the bit where everyone who's pledged so far gets to claim their rewards.
But to make sure that they do, there's plenty more room at the inn! If you support the kauapa, please keep sharing our PledgeMe page with friends and whānau. Likewise, we'd love it if you could follow us over on Instagram and/or Facebook.
Thanks heaps to Tom McKinlay from the Otago Daily Times for having a chat with Aaron in The Weekend Mix. Truly a pleasure to have such a wide ranging kōrero with someone who gets what we're trying to do.
The story is currently paywalled here, but if you were in the Deep South you should still be able to grab a physical copy and have a read.
Arohanui,
Hugh, Blair & Aaron
Escarpment Domes is now live!
26/04/2024 at 2:29 PM
Kia ora!
Thanks for getting on board early and supporting our pre-sale campaign. We appreciate it more than you could ever know.
Our PledgeMe page is now public, which means you're now welcome (nay, encouraged!) to spread the word far and wide.
We'll keep you posted over the the next three weeks as this campaign progresses, but in the meantime a very TGIF to you from the Escarpment Domes crew.
Kā mihi nui
Aaron
11/05/2024 at 9:32pm
"Looking forward to staying and walking the escarpment track with a group of good friends. "
11/05/2024 at 7:36am
"You guys rock! What a great project"
11/05/2024 at 7:35am
"Just the kind of positive development Aotearoa NZ needs. Thank you and best of luck. "
10/05/2024 at 9:20pm
"Looks good!"
10/05/2024 at 1:36pm
10/05/2024 at 11:45am
09/05/2024 at 7:15pm
"Love your work. Very excited to be able to support!"
08/05/2024 at 8:46pm
07/05/2024 at 1:20pm
"great for the community!"
07/05/2024 at 11:57am
"Love this work! Super stoked to support, my dad and his partner will have a flash night when they come up and stay with us in Pukerua Bay."
07/05/2024 at 10:57am
"Very innovative idea good luck with your project"
07/05/2024 at 10:31am
"Best wishes for this amazing project!"
06/05/2024 at 9:46am
06/05/2024 at 7:25am
"Good luck reaching your target!"
06/05/2024 at 6:44am
05/05/2024 at 9:57pm
"Well done on another awesome innovative project!"
05/05/2024 at 8:36pm
05/05/2024 at 1:31pm
"Inspirational project - can’t wait to stay with my family! "
05/05/2024 at 8:07am
"Ka rawe! Love the work and proud so see some Dunedin legends contributing to the whenua up here in te Upoko o te Ika. Excited to come stay!"
04/05/2024 at 8:08pm
04/05/2024 at 4:33pm
"Love your work! And those views 😍"
03/05/2024 at 7:44pm
03/05/2024 at 8:52am
02/05/2024 at 9:57pm
02/05/2024 at 8:05pm
02/05/2024 at 7:34pm
"Awesome gift for my husband’s birthday! Can’t wait to share it with him🤗"
02/05/2024 at 11:23am
02/05/2024 at 8:17am
30/04/2024 at 7:47pm
"Cannot wait to stay!"