Meet Danica Griggs

People Behind the Space: Kauri Bay

For nearly a decade, Danica has been at the heart of Kauri Bay's journey from a bold vision on Auckland's coastline to one of New Zealand's premier event destinations. As business operations, marketing & events manager, she has spent the past nine years helping create unforgettable experiences for thousands of guests, while witnessing the remarkable evolution of the 500-acre property overlooking the Hauraki Gulf.

Danica's path to Kauri Bay began with a passion for creativity and storytelling. While studying Design and Photography, she dreamed of becoming a wedding photographer. Instead, a chance encounter at a wedding hosted at Kauri Bay led her to join the team, where she discovered a new way to be part of life's most meaningful moments.

Today, Danica plays a pivotal role in shaping the Kauri Bay experience, overseeing the marketing, events, and guest journey across the property's three unique venues. Known for her genuine passion for hospitality and people, she is a strong advocate for the personalised service, authentic Kiwi warmth, and attention to detail that have become synonymous with the Kauri Bay brand.

In this interview, Danica reflects on Kauri Bay's remarkable growth, the lessons learned along the way, and what continues to inspire her as the venue enters its next chapter. From weddings and corporate retreats to milestone celebrations, her insights offer a behind-the-scenes look at the people, passion, and vision that have helped make Kauri Bay such a special destination.

Danica Griggs, Business Operations, Marketing & Events Manager at Kauri Bay

Tell us about your journey before Kauri Bay. How did you end up creating one of Auckland's most stunning event destinations?

Prior to Kauri Bay, I was studying a Bachelor of Design with a minor in Photography. My dream at the time was to become a wedding photographer. I loved the idea of working with couples and helping create beautiful memories that would last a lifetime. In 2017, while living just down the road, I attended a wedding at Kauri Bay. Even though it was an incredibly wet and windy day, I was blown away by the experience. The service, the food, and the views were all exceptional, and I remember thinking it would be an amazing place to work. 

As luck would have it, I ended up chatting with Ollie's wife during the wedding. I had an interview the following Thursday, started a trial shift that weekend, and nine years later I'm still here. I never became a wedding photographer because I ended up helping create the weddings instead. Over the years, Kauri Bay has become much more than just a workplace. I've watched it grow, evolve, and create thousands of unforgettable memories for guests. Having been part of that journey for so long, I feel incredibly fortunate to have seen firsthand the passion and vision that built Kauri Bay into what it is today. 

That vision came from Ollie Ormond, who, after working and travelling extensively around the world, wanted to return home to New Zealand and create something that combined world-class hospitality with genuine Kiwi warmth. His goal was to bring the level of service and experience he had encountered overseas and create a destination where people could celebrate life's most important moments in an extraordinary setting.

Kauri Bay is such a unique destination today, but where did the original vision come from?

The story of Kauri Bay actually begins in Wellington at Boomrock. Having spent much of his childhood there, Ollie always had a strong connection to the property and the experiences it offered. After spending years overseas and building a career in hospitality, he wanted to bring those lessons and ideas back home. When he settled in Auckland, he found a spectacular piece of land overlooking the Hauraki Gulf and saw the opportunity to create something truly unique. At the time, there was very little on the property apart from The Barn at the entrance. In fact, Ollie spent around six months living there while developing what would eventually become Kauri Bay. 

What started as a vision on a 500-acre coastal property has grown into three distinct venues: The Lodge, The Bunkers, and The Quail's Nest. Together, they host around 360 events each year, welcoming everyone from wedding couples and corporate groups to families celebrating special milestones. 

One of the proudest moments in our journey was celebrating Kauri Bay's 10-year anniversary in October 2025. It was an opportunity to reflect on how far we've come, from a blank canvas overlooking the gulf to one of New Zealand's premier event destinations. Yet despite everything we've achieved, the vision continues to evolve. We're always looking for new ways to enhance the guest experience while staying true to the values that Kauri Bay was built on.

For someone visiting Kauri Bay for the first time, what do you hope they feel when they arrive?

We like to hold onto our Kiwi charm at Kauri Bay. Whether someone is visiting for the first time or returning for the third, tenth, or twentieth time, we want them to feel genuinely welcomed, relaxed, and at home from the moment they arrive. For many guests, there's an immediate sense of awe when they see the view for the first time. People often tell us they've seen the photos online, but nothing quite prepares them for experiencing it in person. The sweeping views across the Hauraki Gulf create that unmistakable "wow" moment, but what we hope stays with people is the feeling that follows. 

Beyond the scenery, we want guests to feel comfortable, looked after, and able to switch off from the outside world. Whether they're here for a wedding, a corporate retreat, or a special celebration, our goal is to create an environment where people can relax, connect, and simply enjoy the experience. Kauri Bay has a way of making people feel at home, and that's something we're incredibly proud of.

The property offers everything from weddings and corporate events to outdoor experiences and exceptional dining. How do you balance all these different elements while keeping the Kauri Bay identity strong?

The team is a big part of the experience. Everyone gets involved, genuinely cares, and loves what they do. We try to make every couple, client, friend, and family member feel like they are the only people we are looking after.

What ties it all together is our commitment to hospitality. Whether someone is joining us for a wedding, a corporate retreat, a family celebration, or one of our outdoor experiences, we want them to feel welcomed, relaxed, and completely looked after from the moment they arrive. The venue may change, the occasion may be different, but the experience remains the same. It's about creating meaningful moments, paying attention to the little details, and delivering service that feels personal rather than transactional.

Every successful venue has faced challenges behind the scenes. What have been some of the biggest lessons you've learned while building Kauri Bay into what it is today?

One of the biggest lessons has been learning that adaptability is everything. No two events are ever the same, and sometimes things don't go exactly to plan. The ability to stay calm, think on your feet, and focus on finding solutions rather than problems has been a huge part of Kauri Bay's success. 

A defining moment was navigating the challenges that came with COVID. Like many businesses in hospitality and events, it forced us to rethink how we operated and how we connected with our clients. What stood out during that time was the loyalty of our team and our clients. It reinforced the importance of relationships and reminded us that people don't just choose Kauri Bay because of the views or the venue, they choose us because of the people behind it.

Kauri Bay sits on an incredible 500-acre property overlooking the Hauraki Gulf. How has the landscape influenced the way you've designed the guest experience?

Funny you ask that! Our logo actually represents the landscape itself. The heron reflects the resident birds that call Kauri Bay home, but it also mirrors the rolling hills that frame the property as you look out across the Hauraki Gulf. The landscape looks completely different depending on where you are on the property, whether you're taking in the panoramic views from The Lodge or tucked away amongst the natural gullies at The Bunkers and The Quail's Nest.

The landscape influences everything we do. Each venue has been designed to work with the environment rather than compete with it. Whether guests are standing on the wooden walkway watching the sun set over the rolling hills, exploring one of our outdoor experiences, or enjoying a quiet moment surrounded by nature, the property naturally encourages people to slow down, be present, and appreciate where they are.

What many visitors don't fully appreciate until they spend time here is the sheer scale and diversity of the property. Photos do a wonderful job of showcasing the view, but they can't capture the feeling of being here, the peace, the space, and the sense of escape from everyday life. Within the same 500 acres, guests can experience dramatic coastal views, rolling farmland, native bush, and secluded gullies, all while feeling completely removed from the city.

Every guest experiences Kauri Bay differently, and that's one of the things that makes it so special. For some, it's the breathtaking scenery; for others, it's the tranquillity, the connection with nature, or the opportunity to simply switch off for a while. Whatever brings people here, the landscape becomes part of their story and part of the memories they take home with them.

Hospitality is often about the details people don't see. What's something your team does behind the scenes that guests might never notice, but makes a huge difference to their experience?

We couldn't ask for a better team. Everyone is enthusiastic about what they do and genuinely cares about helping our guests create memorable experiences. What people don't always see is the amount of preparation, communication, and teamwork that happens behind the scenes before an event even begins. Every department works together to make sure the experience feels effortless for our guests, even though there can be months of planning and coordination involved. What I'm most proud of is the passion our team brings every single day.

The energy our guests bring becomes the energy we carry with us. We love hearing couples relive their wedding when they return the next day, or receiving emails from clients telling us how much they enjoyed their event. Those moments remind us why we do what we do.

In a region filled with event and wedding venues, what do you believe genuinely sets Kauri Bay apart?

The service. 

While we're fortunate to have an incredible property and breathtaking views, what truly sets Kauri Bay apart is the people. We pride ourselves on delivering five-star service while maintaining a relaxed and approachable atmosphere. Nothing is ever too much trouble, and we always aim to make the planning process feel exciting rather than stressful. 

Many venues can offer a beautiful location, but it's much harder to replicate a culture where every team member genuinely cares about the outcome of an event. It's that combination of exceptional hospitality, attention to detail, and authentic Kiwi warmth that makes Kauri Bay unique.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of Kauri Bay?

What excites me most is that we're always evolving. Even after all these years, there is still so much opportunity to create new experiences for our guests and continue improving what we offer. 

As a team, we're always looking at ways to enhance the guest experience, whether that's through new event concepts, unique activities, food and beverage offerings, or finding even better ways to personalise each event. The beauty of Kauri Bay is that we're never standing still. We continue to grow, adapt, and invest in creating experiences that people will remember long after they leave.

You've helped create countless memorable moments for guests over the years. Is there one event, wedding, or experience that perfectly captures what Kauri Bay is all about?

I've been asked this question many times, and honestly, I don't think I could choose just one. What makes Kauri Bay special isn't a single wedding or event. It's the countless moments that happen across all of them. It's seeing a couple standing together just before their ceremony, watching a corporate group reconnect away from the office, or seeing family and friends come together to celebrate a milestone.

If there is one thing that captures what Kauri Bay is all about, it's the way people feel when they're here. Every event is different, but the common thread is creating an experience where people can slow down, connect with each other, and make memories they'll talk about for years to come.

If you could invite any three people - past or present - to spend a day at Kauri Bay, who would they be and why?

I'd choose Sir Peter Jackson, Sir John Kirwan, and Anthony Bourdain.

Sir Peter Jackson would be first on the list. We've been fortunate enough to host film crews on the property over the years, and I'd love to hear the stories behind bringing some of the world's most iconic films to life in New Zealand. His creativity, vision, and ability to showcase New Zealand's landscapes on the world stage would make for fascinating conversation.

Sir John Kirwan would be my sporting pick. Beyond his achievements with the All Blacks, I've always admired the way he's used his platform to advocate for mental health and support others. He has a genuine ability to connect with people, and I think his perspective on leadership, resilience, and teamwork would be incredibly inspiring.

And finally, Anthony Bourdain. Few people understood hospitality, food, travel, and human connection the way he did. He had a remarkable ability to find stories in everyday experiences and bring people together through shared meals. I think he'd appreciate everything Kauri Bay stands for. Great food, great people, and creating memorable experiences.

That would be a pretty fascinating table to sit around.

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