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Welcome to Knapdale Eco Lodge - a tranquil paradise only 10 minutes from Gisborne airport.

Lodge & estate

Contact Us

Knapdale Eco Lodge
114 Snowsill Road
Waihirere, Gisborne, NEW ZEALAND

Phone: (06) 862 5444
Fax: (06) 862 5006
Email: info@Knapdale.co.nz

Coming from Opotiki on State Highway 2:

Your hosts

Kees and Kay Weytmans are your hosts at Knapdale Eco Lodge. Kay was born on Knapdale Farm which her grandfather bought in 1921. Kay met Kees (a forestry graduate from the Netherlands who is passionate about trees) in Nepal and they arrived in Gisborne in 1987.

The eco lodge philosophy

Knapdale Eco Lodge is a 32 hectare sustainably managed operation with a variety of agro-forestry projects. It is recognised by the Department of Conservation, the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association, Forest & Bird and the Gisborne Regional Council as an example of outstanding environmental protection.

Highland cattle

The decision to farm Scottish Highland Cattle was to keep the roots with Scotland - Knapdale is the name of the lands the McMillans farmed in Scotland.

Oak tree planting programme

The impetus for the planting programme came through the effects of the 1985 Ngatapa flood, Cyclone Bola in 1988 and an out-of-control gorse fire in 1991.  From Kees’ forestry experience he knew that the area was in need of replanting to combat the long-term effects of erosion.

Awards / Media

2009 & 2010 Qualmark Enviro-Gold rating.

This rating is based on five assessment areas: energy efficiency, waste reduction, water management, and conservation and community activities.  Currently less than 60 operators in New Zealand have achieved this rating.

Testimonials

Knapdale has had guests from around the world. Here’s what some of them have to say.

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