Meet the Locals – Karen and Rob Webb of Destination Waiheke

Waiheke Island, with its sun-kissed vineyards, pristine beaches, and beautiful landscapes, has long captivated the hearts of visitors and locals. But behind the scenes, two local legends have been orchestrating unforgettable experiences: Karen and Rob Webb of Destination Waiheke and The Great Escape Waiheke. Let’s delve into their story, their island expertise, and the magic they weave.

Karen, an Aussie-born and bred Kiwi (Tasmania and New Zealand citizenship, respectively), brings a unique perspective to the table. Rob, who came to New Zealand as a child and grew up on the North Shore, complements her with a deep understanding of the local landscape.

Together, they boast over 20 years of local insight on the island and 30 years of experience in corporate event management. Their past roles in senior management positions in international hotels instilled in them an understanding of how to create seamless and successful events. But for Rob and Karen, this was just the foundation.

After a decade spent abroad, in 2003 they returned to Waiheke Island with their young 2-year-old son, where they bought the Waiheke Island Resort which included the conference areas, restaurant, bar, pool, tennis court and managed the accommodation on behalf of the owners.

In 2004, Karen started The Great Escape Waiheke which offers a range of unique adventures allowing teams and groups to experience the best sights, scenery & activities Waiheke Island has to offer.

Not long after this, in 2007, Karen and Rob recognised the need for a venue where people could come and enjoy local wine, beer, food, and fun activities all in one place. Wild on Waiheke was created and quickly became a popular destination for groups (corporate, family or friends) looking for a one-stop-shop.

In 2013 after selling Wild On Waiheke, Karen and Rob started Destination Waiheke, a company specializing in conferences, corporate events and activities that cater to 10 - 350 people.

In 2016, Karen and Rob purchased a cafe on the beach in Onetangi and rebranded to The Boathouse (now Ki Maha). Over the next two years, with a little bit of love and attention, lots of hard work, understanding, listening and nurturing their customers (guests, suppliers and staff) they made The Boathouse a great success.

The relaxed lifestyle, stunning scenery, and the ease of being able to go boating and fishing.  We can work most of the time from home and love that it's a small community which for our business is important in creating strong working relationships with other local companies.

We thrived on the challenge of transforming resorts, vineyards/breweries, and cafes into thriving businesses that we could later sell with immense pride. Our success stories include The Waiheke Island Resort, The Boathouse Cafe (now Ki Maha), and Wild on Waiheke (now Wild Estate), all flourishing under their current ownership.

Waiheke Island faces a critical shortage of affordable rental properties, making it difficult to find staff. With a high number of holiday homes and a booming tourist industry, available housing options are scarce and expensive. This makes it difficult for potential employees, especially those coming from outside the region, to find suitable accommodation. The seasonality of Waiheke businesses also leads to job insecurity making it challenging to attract and retain staff. Navigating New Zealand's immigration process can be complex and time-consuming. Businesses seeking to recruit overseas workers face additional hurdles, including visa applications, sponsorship requirements, and lengthy processing times. This can deter skilled workers from considering Waiheke Island as an option.

We have definitely taken unconventional approaches in all of our business decisions and plans. You have to be innovative and think creatively/outside the box these days to have a successful business.  We often refer to the question - "what is the definition of insanity?" and the answer is "doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results".  

This year marks a special milestone for Rob and Karen – The Great Escape Island Challenge celebrates its 20th anniversary! This is a testament to their unwavering commitment to helping you escape the boardroom and create unforgettable experiences!

To celebrate this momentous occasion, book your Great Escape Island Challenge HERE with Destination Waiheke by May 31st, 2024, and every team member will be entered into a draw to win an incredible prize package!

The Great Escape Island Challenge 20th Anniversary Prize Package:

• A Night in Paradise: Relax in style with a night for up to 4 people in a luxurious 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment at The Sands Apartments, offering stunning ocean views and a short stroll to Onetangi Beach.

• Award-Winning Vineyard Tasting: Indulge in a refined wine-tasting session at a highly acclaimed Waiheke Island vineyard.

• Archery Amongst the Vines: Put your skills to the test with a fun-filled archery session nestled amongst the lush beauty of a Waiheke vineyard.

Don't miss this opportunity to create lasting memories and escape the ordinary with The Great Escape Island Challenge!

^{*The Prize Package must be utilized in its entirety by August 31st 2024. Subject to availability}