About Us

Whanake

To grow, spring up and develop, Whanake also refers to the newly developing growth of the tī kōuka /cabbage tree.

The cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) is one of the most distinctively beautiful trees in the New Zealand landscape, growing mainly in wetland areas it flourishes on the Westcoast of the South Island. Māori used cabbage trees as a food, fibre and medicine. The root, stem and top are all edible, a good source of starch and sugar. The leaves were woven into baskets, sandals, rope, rain capes and other items and were also made into tea to cure common ailments.

Staci Offwood & Stephen Lee
Owner/Proprieters

Together Stephen & Staci have developed Whanake Gallery & Espresso Bar as a way to share their love and passion for the West Coast & provide locals and visitors alike with New Zealand photography and quality fair trade coffee.

Staci Offwood
Photographer/Barista

I have been a photographer for over ten years now, originally self taught I started with a passion for my native surroundings and capturing the moments shared with friends.  I soon realized this was my future and combining that with my love of great coffee it seemed only natural to develop Whanake Gallery and Espresso Bar.

Growing up and living on the Westcoast it is hard not to appreciate the natural beauty of the place and so I concentrate most of my photographic energies into immobilizing what the eye can see and only the memory could otherwise capture.  I take great reward in being able to share these memories on a range of different media.

I spent many years working in hospitality until the photography began to take over my life. In 2005 I made the connection with Underground Coffee Company who managed to evoke a deeper appreciation for the coffee industry and enlightened me to fair trade. Underground have a great philosophy & I realised  I could combine the  art of espresso and photography and so the idea of Whanake was born.

I am always developing different ideas and ways to portray my images and am currently developing my own clothing line.  Whanake apparel is a means to promote the area using simplistic images of West Coast symbols that I have enhanced from my own popular images and printing them on a range of different clothing items.

Stephen Lee
Chef/Surfer/Hostel Proprietor

I grew up on the WestCoast, all though from a farming background, I chose a career In food & hospitality.  From an early age I would seek out the surf on our local beaches and so we have chosen to represent that element within our business.

I became a Chef and was able to travel and surf my way to many wonderful locations.  Yet none were quite as beautiful as home so I returned to the WestCoast where I met Staci and Whanake was born.

I have recently hung up my Chefs hat to pursue a new career in the Hostel business something which I am excited about and feel may just be my true vocation.  This is also where I am able to do all the baking for Whanake Espresso Bar to provide our customers with sweat treats to accompany their coffee.  Bazils Hostel is located just around the corner from Whanake, its another way we can see it is possible to share our passion for the West Coast, making plans to enhance all the rooms with local landscape images to encourage tourists to stay awhile and take a good look at all the beauty on offer here.

The Whanake 12 month Renovation Process 2007