FAQ's

If you are the owner of a stunning, secret slice of New Zealand that others will enjoy, we are keen to discuss partnering with you. To find out more about the PurePods partnership click here.

With the remote locations of the PurePods, late cancellations can be tricky for us to fill at short notice, as most of our guests tend to book well in advance of their stay.

However, we know that despite your best intentions, sometimes your plans can change, so we have done our best to be as flexible as possible.

• You can amend or cancel your booking at absolutely no charge up to 14 days before your reserved stay – so if your itinerary changes, or you decide you prefer a different PurePod location, please let us know asap and we will process the reservation change for you immediately.
• If you need to cancel your reservation and it’s between 14 and 7 days of your reserved stay, we’ll refund you 50% of the cost of your booking (unless someone else books for that date, in which case we will only charge you a $30 cancellation fee)
• If you cancel within 7 days of your reserved stay, no refund is payable (unless someone else books for that date, in which case we will only charge you a $30 cancellation fee)

If COVID-19 restrictions prevent you from travelling to your PurePod experience, we will be happy to waive our normal notice period so you can postpone or cancel your stay without any penalty.   

PurePods has received COVID Clean approval and proudly displays the COVID Clean logo.

This means our operation processes, customer interaction and staff wellbeing has been assessed by Qualmark and we have implemented health and hygiene measures to help protect against COVID-19, in accordance with government guidelines. If you have any further questions please touch base and we can explain further. 

With 11 different PurePod locations to select from, how to do you choose?

Good question! Each PurePod is set in a unique and secluded part of the beautiful New Zealand landscape, making it tricky to choose a favourite. Perhaps the answer is to include “pod-hopping” on your travel itinerary.

If you are traveling from the north island, we recommend starting your PurePods adventure with 2 nights at the Kokomea PurePod.  Kokomea PurePod sits proudly on a grapevine nursery high above the Kāpiti Coast just an hour north of Wellington. The Kāpiti Coast’s natural beauty is breathtaking – and there is so much to see, do and experience! 

After spending some time exploring the Kāpiti Coast take the Interislander Ferry across to the beautiful south island of New Zealand. 

From Picton drive to Kāikoura and check into the Kahutara or Manakau PurePod. We recommend a few nights so you have plenty of time each day to check out all the wonderful activities available in the stunning Kaikōura region (whale watching, swimming with the seals, kayaking, hiking).

Then, continue south down State Highway 1 for just over an hour, before leaving the main highway to head towards the coast and the Korimako PurePod, where you will be nestled into the native bush full of bird song with a stunning view out to the nearby bay on a beautiful and historic sheep farm or the Atatū PurePod, perched high above the coastline, with sweeping sea views and fabulous sunrises. If you enjoy mountain biking these two PurePods offer an off-road mountain bike looped 8km track.

Or, if you are a wine-lover, head a little further south to the Greystone PurePod in Waipara, making sure you arrive before 4pm so you can stop in at the Greystone Cellar Door for a complimentary wine tasting. If you have packed your mountain bikes, then head out for a ride along the Waipara Valley Vineyard Trail.

From Waipara, continue your journey south on State Highway 1, perhaps stopping for a night in Christchurch if you need your fix of city life, before travelling on to the beautiful Pōhue PurePod on Banks Peninsula, about an hour from Christchurch (or two hours from Waipara), where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the historic Port Levy bay, surrounded by rolling hills and magnificent rocky outcrops.

The next destination on the ‘pod-hopping’ adventure is Cromwell. Here you will find Tāima and Haurapa PurePods. With breathtaking views of the rocky Kawarau Gorge and the majestic Pisa Range, these two PurePods offer some of the most spectacular scenery in Central Otago. Tāima PurePod offers convenient access to the renowned Lake Dunstan Trail, allowing you to explore the area’s natural wonders with ease.

Rakiura Stewart Island is located right at the bottom of the South Island, and whilst you might think this is a long way to reach the next PurePod, you won’t be disappointed.

Hananui and Tokoeka PurePods are nestled behind a predator-proof fence in an eco-sanctuary on the stunning Rakiura Stewart Island, part of the southernmost Dark Sky Reserve.

The birdlife, the scenery, the people, the history, and the spectacular colours the sky turns on throughout every day will turn your head without a doubt. This is a ‘must do’ when creating your travel itinerary. You will be challenged to decide if you take a thousand photos or just soak it all in, perhaps take the time to do both!

All PurePods are on private land and remote enough that you can be assured privacy – just you and that special someone you are with. There are blinds on all windows and the ceiling – use them as you see fit.

Some of the most consistent feedback we receive from our guests is about privacy, isolation, being alone with nature – and how amazing that feels.

“Secluded and private we had the most relaxing and revitalised stay that we can not recommend more highly. Where else can you see stars so bright! Go and stay there.”
Jeff & Erica

Many of the questions we get from guests planning their PurePod experiences are about exactly the same thing. Will we be safe? Can someone see us in our glass cabin? 

We understand. One of the great gifts that we have in New Zealand is our ability to be alone in extraordinarily beautiful places. This is why many people visit our country. And it is this precious gift that PurePods wants to share with you.

We take special care in selecting our sites to ensure that there are no buildings in the immediate area, no public roadways or walkways in view of the PurePod. We ensure that you can see no-one, and no-one can see you.

“We spent an incredible night stay on PurePod. I can’t use words to express my feeling surrounded by the mountains and stars. It was incredibly amazing! The PurePod is very private, no one can access to there without the instruction. So, we feel really private in PurePod.” Ling & Berlin, Australia

NZ is snake free and there are no large wild animals to threaten you. You’ll hear birdsong all day but don’t be scared if you hear cattle and sheep noise during the night, sound sometimes travels a long way. Some PurePod properties have sheep quite close by, don’t worry they won’t harm you, and the spring lambs are ever so cute!

PurePods use the highest quality toughened, double and triple-glazed glass. Extra heat is provided by hidden radiators in the bedroom and bathroom. The heating and the hot water are heated using a combination of solar power and a gas boiler. You will find your PurePod luxuriously comfortable.

There is no air conditioning but a range of natures cooling devices (blinds, ceiling shades, sliding doors, open windows etc). On the hottest days we recommend pulling across the ceiling blind to add additional shade – the roof above the deck has also been designed to add shade. And, in the hottest part of a hot summer’s day, feel free to take the super comfy deck chairs into the shade of nearby trees.

Each PurePod has unique local offerings of food and drink (check out the description on each location page). Remember to select the Dinner & Breakfast Package when you are booking so the food package will be waiting for you on arrival at the PurePod. Don’t forget to bring your favourite tipple!

“WOW, I can honestly tell you this place, the amazing views and food has been the highlight to my visit from Canada. Thank you for making everything special!”
Sheila, Canada

Or, if you prefer, you can bring your own food supplies. The PurePod has a gas cooktop in the kitchen and a barbeque out on the deck, and there is plenty of clean water, coffee, tea, milk, sugar, olive oil, salt, pepper and all the utensils you need to cook for two.

Each PurePod has communication facilities for emergencies. Instructions are available in each PurePod to ensure you can explain your location.

PurePods are designed to encourage a couple of days to just relax and do nothing. Just breathe deeply, take time to reflect and experience nature at nature’s pace.

Some properties have marked and mapped tracks for you to follow to experience the unique local features.

The walk from the carpark to the PurePod is an important part of your PurePod experience; it introduces you to the local environment and reinforces the privacy and isolation of the location. We understand not everyone is keen on a strenuous or long hike, so we have done our best to keep the walk to between 5 and 10 minutes long.

Please ensure you have suitable walking shoes and a backpack or small carry bag is best. Avoid large suitcases and wheelie bags.

Here’s a brief rundown on the walking track at each PurePod location:

• Hananui PurePod – This can be the shortest walk of them all should you wish it! At 350m from where the shuttle drops off, you’ll wind through the bush and up a series of steps and pass through the predator-proof fence so make sure to take note of the signage to ensure you do your part to ensure the safety of the bird life in the reserve. Another set of steps opens out onto your PurePod. If you decide you want a longer stroll you can walk the 4km from Oban over the hill following the road (of which there is only 20km in total on the island) to the above entry point.
• Tokoeka PurePod – this is very similar to the above and you can make this as little or as much as you like depending on your appetite for a hike or a short walk. If you get dropped by shuttle it is a short 380m nature walk to the PurePod – you’ll pass through the predator-proof fence so make sure to take note of the signage to ensure you do your part to ensure the safety of the bird life in the reserve. If you decide you want a longer stroll you can walk the 4km from Oban over the hill following the road (of which there is only 20km in total on the island) to the above entry point.
• Korimako PurePod – at only 430m, this is a nice short walk! The track gently (for the most part) makes its way up to the PurePod through a native forest full of the sound of bird-life. There are a few steps along the way on a couple of steep bits, and a small bridge across a creek. 
• Kokomea PurePod – this beautiful native walk is 450m and will take you around 10 mins (or longer if you take photos). This enjoyable walk guides you down ‘The Gully’, past the regenerating bush, over the bubbling stream, and up the other side of the gully. Please note, the track can be slippery following rain, and is rocky in places, so take care, especially on the downhill section. Also, best to avoid touching the electric fence on the other side of the gully!
• Greystone PurePod – this waking track is only 650m long, and only takes around 5-10 minutes to walk. Good news for those of you with mobility issues – we can provide alternative instructions for this PurePod, which will enable you to drive pretty much right up to the PurePod, and this is the only PurePod location without steps to access the PurePod. Please note, the alternative instructions are only available to guests with diagnosed mobility issues as we aren’t able to use the alternative route for every booking (high use of this alternative track would impact adversely on the operation of the vineyard).
• Atatū PurePod – one of our favourite walks, and only 750m long. It starts with a nice flat walk following a paddock fence line, then after you pass through a farm gate you start to gently climb uphill, firstly along a farm track (where you can watch the sheep frolic in the nearby paddocks), then through a patch of native forest full of birdsong, before a final wee push uphill to the PurePod.
• Manakau PurePod – this walk is 900m and will take you 10-15 minutes. The beginning of this track is shared with the Kahutara PurePod, as you first follow the fence line of a paddock, before entering a grove of kanuka trees. 
• Kahutara PurePod – this walk will take you about 15 minutes to travel the 950m, where you’ll walk past paddocks, through a grove of kanuka trees, on a farm track lined with trees, past a wetland area, before the final gentle climb up to the PurePod.
• Pōhue PurePod – this is our most challenging walk. It is 1.2km long and while most of the track is at a gentle incline, overall you will be climbing around 140m in elevation, so for those of us not as fit as we used to be, you will find yourself puffing a little towards the top. 
• To reach Haurapa PurePod, you’ll embark on a 700m hike that typically takes between 15-20 minutes to walk. During this walk take time to soak up the awe-inspiring views of the Pisa Range, which gives a profound sense of serenity and pristine beauty. Haurapa PurePod sits 317m above sea level. 
• Tāima PurePod is an easy 300m nature walk and will take around 5-10 minutes. Tāima PurePod sits 350m above sea level, so you could be walking through the clouds to find your secluded PurePod.

That is very tricky to answer! As all of the PurePod locations offer great stargazing on a clear night. However, there is an extra special location you might want to consider. The Hananui and Tokoeka PurePods are on the beautiful Rakiura Stewart Island, which is also the southernmost Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world, and offers one of the darkest locations to view the night sky. The stars on a clear night are absolutely spectacular down there, and if you are extra lucky you might even get to witness the Aurora Australis/Southern Lights (usually March-September).

We reserve the right to charge a fee to cover unexpected cleaning costs or damage incurred during your stay (for example, if you empty a bottle of red wine on the beautiful white bedding, we’ll ask you to contribute to the replacement costs if we can’t remove the stains, but if you accidentally break a single wine glass, don’t worry we’ll usually cover that cost).

Should you disregard the very strict no smoking rules a fee of $300 is immediately payable.

Yes! Each PurePod has a flushing toilet and a fabulous shower with beautiful views.

We use the latest technologies to ensure pure water and sustainable waste management. The flush toilet and unique all-glass shower provide a luxury experience while looking after the local ecosystem. The water is sourced locally and the wastewater is goes through a special biological filtration system to safely treat the wastewater before being safely pumped out as clean water under a field away from the PurePod.

No. Each PurePod is located on private property away from roads, the public and other houses so we can guarantee you absolute privacy.  There are shower curtains and blinds on all windows and the ceiling if you feel like pulling them at any time during your stay. 

The PurePods have been designed as a couples retreat with a super comfy and luxurious queen bed and haven’t been “child-proofed”, so there are some potential hazards to take into account for children, such as no railing on the deck and small ponds, streams or rivers nearby.

There is also no extra space for any additional beds to be erected, so the maximum occupancy is 2 adults.

Please do not bring your children or extra friends – it is your chance for a romantic getaway.

Please note, should we discover you have brought your child or extra friends, a fee of $300 is immediately payable.

Unfortunately, as each of the PurePods are located on or near working farms, you are unable to bring your dog with you (no matter how small, or how well behaved it is).

We need to ensure the farm animals remain safe from dogs at all times, including preventing the potential spread of sheep measles (working dogs are dosed more often and with stronger medication than is normal for a city dog).

Most of the PurePods team members have dogs so we can completely understand your wish to bring your pooch with you on your holiday, however for the safety of the farmer’s stock, family pets are NOT allowed at the PurePods.

We understand you might need a specific date to celebrate a special occasion. If this date if booked out, please get in contact and we can put you on a waitlist. 

PurePods doesn’t run a shuttle service but we can make the following recommendations…

If you have booked into our Kokomea PurePod and coming from Wellington, the train ride is an easy and scenic option. Take the Kāpiti Line from Wellington Station (Wellington – Waikanae) north until you reach the Waikanae Railway Station. From Waikanae jump in a taxi for 15 minutes to reach your PurePod. Wellington Airport has a wide range of transport options to get you into the city center including taxis, shuttles and app-based pick-up.

For the Kahutara & Manakau PurePods near Kaikoura, you could travel to Kaikoura via the InterCity bus service which runs from Christchurch to Kaikoura return daily. Another option is the Coastal Pacific train which travels between Christchurch and Picton during the weekends, stopping at Kaikoura at 10am (from Christchurch) and at 4:20pm (from Picton).

Once in Kaikoura, the Kaikoura Shuttles can take you from the township to the PurePod carpark and return.

If you want to arrive via helicopter we have partnered with Kaikoura Helicopters. From Kaikoura, your helicopter will take you on a scenic helicopter flight from Kaikoura to your PurePod (Kahutara or Manakau). Price for this is $1600 for a return transfer. If the weather is not preferable for flying on arrival in Kaikoura, don’t worry, Kaikoura Helicopter will get you to your PurePods stay via car and pick you in helicopter up for a return flight. Or vice versa. In this instance, we would refund the cost of the unused transfer flight (50%).

Ritchies operates a regular scheduled shuttle service between downtown Queenstown, Queenstown Airport, Wanaka, and Cromwell for our guests staying at Tāima and Haurapa PurePod. Once in Cromwell, it is an easy taxi ride to the secluded PurePods. 

If you are going to Rakiura Stewart Island for either Hananui or Tokoeka PurePod there are three options, a 15 minute scenic flight from Invercargill, or a 60 minute ferry ride from Bluff. There is also the option of a scenic helicopter transfer too. Once on the island you can walk, hire bikes or take the taxi to our PurePod.

As you can see there are lots of different options, please contact us if you need any more help with transport.

There are no standard 240V power plugs due to the off grid nature of the PurePod as these require a high level of power. However, if your device is USB chargeable there is one of these available on the control panel above the kitchen sink.

There are no 240V plugs in the PurePod to charge CPAP machines. Please bring a battery pack should you need one.