Since then, Cliffside has evolved into a conference, retreat and event venue for up to 80 delegates with a plan to expand further into the business events market through development of up to 100 villas on the 148-acre coastal New Zealand property.
At MEETINGS 2026 in Auckland last week Cliffside’s stand boasted a banner proclaiming an end to “boring offsites”.
Cliffside general manager, Jasmine Shine, told micenet the varied accommodation development was started by her father Gavin.
“It was all based around my father’s goals and aspirations…he likes to go, go, go and always has new ideas…and 10 years ago glamping was unheard of.”
Gavin told micenet he and his other daughter, Serena, first brought the property to life as Castaways, developing a secluded glamping area for couples, before adding the Cliffside conferencing retreat, which includes 24 glamping tents. More recently they have completed 30 of an approved 100-villa development set high on the property at Castaways, with expansive sea views. The villas have individual owners but can be hired by leisure travellers and groups through the business run by the Shines.
While the couples’ retreat is off-grid, Cliffside’s event venue is not.
“Our couples retreat was so popular, we decided, hey, let’s make a venue,” said Jasmine.
“Let’s do a corporate version of this. Let’s build this into conferences and events and that kind of thing. So a venue was built.”
Stripping back all reminders of the need to constantly check email gave way to the potential benefits of gathering the corporate team under canvas by the cliff.
And while it has proved popular, it was recognised that encouraging more of the C-suite to participate might require a higher level of accommodation and event facilities, which is what the ongoing villa development on the property offers.
Cliffside already provides a full event planning service plus a range of experiences from archery, clay pigeon shooting, fishing and golf to simple nights around the communal firepit. The team added a sales manager, Ashleigh Nicol, last year.
At less than an hour’s drive from the Auckland CBD it is close enough to be a day conference option, however the lure of two to three nights under the stars accompanied by fresh sea breezes and the sounds of nature is proving effective.
“We have corporates coming through every week and we have corporates come through that are looking for something different…They’re looking to really hunker down and focus but have a luxury experience all at the same time,” says Jasmine.
Without putting a fixed date on the next stage of the villas development – “once we have sold 50 villas…that could take one year or five years,” says Gavin – he says he will execute existing plans to build a conference and event space with capacity for 250 to 300 delegates. Resort facilities including a pool, spa and gardens are also part of potential plans.
Meanwhile some of the existing villas are already used as extra accommodation for Cliffside. Ultimately larger business events are a definite focus and delegates can be accommodated in the villas under a management agreement to share revenue with freehold villa owners.
