Appearing between two craggy peaks, The Black Diamond restaurant is a welcome sight to those arriving on horseback or hiking in the Ahuriri Valley of Aotearoa New Zealand (a private car transfer is also available). It’s available to book for private groups, who have passed along a track in the rugged Canterbury region.
The Black Diamond offers a personalised three-course meal with wine pairings, courtesy of head chef Dane Archery
Champagne and canapés welcome guests, along with sweeping views of the Ahuriri Valley and beyond. Head chef Dane Archery prepares a personalised three-course meal with wine pairings, which come from high-country farm stations and riverside vineyards.
Much like The Lindis (a nearby luxury lodge also owned by The Lindis Group), the cabin is inspired by its striking natural surroundings. A sizeable rock to the left of The Black Diamond inspired its monolithic form, designed by Tony Butel of Ground Up Studio.
The restaurant’s interior footprint is a mere 12 sq m, but it feels surprisingly spacious, with deep in-built benches and recessed lighting.
The materials for its construction had to be sturdy enough to withstand the environment yet light enough to be carried in by the team at JB Building when their four-wheel drives had to stop short of the site. Black-stained larch creates a rain screen over a corrugated iron base. Engineered timber, left over from another project, finishes the interiors.
The Ahuriri Valley is named after the Ngāi Tahu chief, Tu Ahuriri. Māori used to pass through here to find pounamu greenstone on the coast. The practice of manakitanga hospitality is still present – with the vast yet intimate setting demanding the utmost care and respect.
The Black Diamond leaves a lasting impression on its visitors, but not on the natural world. The off-the-grid structure catches water, while solar panels generate power, ensuring the Ahuriri Valley remains as untouched as it is treasured.
