Wellbeing Retreats

An affordable (from $158) weekend wellbeing retreat

Come and spend time by the ocean learning wellbeing practices and connecting with yourself, others, and nature. Leave with inspiration, ideas and tools to make positive changes for your wellbeing. Take a break from the hustle and bustle and get back to basics by the ocean for a nourishing, restorative, and connecting wellbeing weekend with 10-18 like-minded others.

Enjoy our cabins or space for camping by the fire. We’re a two minute walk from a beautiful beach on the Kapiti / Horowhenua coast, an hour north of Wellington. Bring your togs, toys, woolly socks, and an open mind.

What to expect

Our aim is to create an environment of safety, relaxation and trust. But we also want it to be accessible/affordable to as many people as possible. So the weekend will be about co-creation, sharing and community building. We're not going to have paid experts or teachers to guide you, instead we’re going to encourage all participants to share and learn from each other (a bit like an “unconference”).  

Code of Conduct:

We ask that all attendees agree to the following

1. Respect Others: Treat fellow attendees and the environment with kindness and respect.

2. Confidentiality: Maintain privacy regarding personal information and experiences shared by others.

3. Presence: Be present and engaged; minimise distractions by avoiding phone and device use.

4. Participation: If participating in activities to embrace new experiences with an open mind.

5. Wellness Focus: Refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, or any substances that might cause negative effects.

6. Responsibility: Take care of shared spaces, and adhere to the retreat's guidelines for safety and wellbeing.

The high level schedule:

• Everybody arrives by 6pm on Friday

• We meet, eat, get to know each other (via some fun games) and plan / co-create the weekend. 

• This co-creation will involve lots of stickies! Basically anybody who wants to share / lead a session can propose anything. We get an idea of how much interest and if there is enough interest we put it into the schedule.

• Generally the days will start with a morning swim and all meals will be together at agreed times (including the Saturday evening pizza night)

• We finish up at around 4pm on Sunday.

Food

All food is provided, you will be nourished with wonderful vegetarian food with gluten free options. We ask that everybody helps out in the cooking / washing up etc. 

Activities that we’ve done before: 

• Ocean activities - swimming, canoeing, kiting, surfing 

• Yoga / Meditation

• Workshops/sharing about dealing the stress

• Tools for communication and relating

• Music (if you play an instrument - bring it)

• Understanding your values and wellbeing goals

• Beach walks

• Ecstatic dancing

• Badminton / volleyball

• Wood chopping

• Space and time to chill (we’ve to lots of great books)

• And more!

It’s important to note that all activities are entirely optional (and there won’t be any peer pressure to participate in anything) and there will be lots of time to just relax. If you want to just chill and read your book that’s absolutely fine. 

What sort of people come?

All sorts of people have come and loved it. From all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities.  We welcome diversity, the weekend presents a unique opportunity to connect with and learn from people from different backgrounds. 

Accommodation

You can enjoy our shared simple cabins or space for camping / van. Options are (subject to availability, first come first served basis):

• Shared room/cabin - separate genders. There are 4 cabins (each holding 2-3 people) and bunk area in the main house. There are two rooms with double beds for couples. Details can be found here. Recommend you bring eye mask and ear plugs in case you end up with a snorer. If you are coming with a friend / partner we can usually give you your own cabin / room if you book early.

• BYO campervan or tent. Lots of beautiful places to park / camp.

There are two shared bathrooms with hot showers in the main house. Generally if you are expecting a DOC hut / camping experience you will be impressed.

Cost

Costs include all food and activities: $240, We are also offering 3 discounted places at $175 if you are willing to do 3 hours work on the land on Saturday morning. We are also offering a 10% discount for AWHI members on a 3/6/12 month contract (i.e. $216, $158)

Helping out

It’s important to understand that to keep the costs as low as possible the assumption is that everybody helps out with cooking, cleaning, organising etc. We’ll create a daily roster so it will be easy for everybody to contribute.  

Getting there

We recommend car sharing as there are no practical public transport options. We will create a spreadsheet where people can request or offer rides. 

Payment Terms

• Accommodation options are a first come first served basis and only locked in once full payment is made.

• We will only go ahead if at least 10 people make full payment at least 2 weeks before the weekend.

• If we cancel for any reason (e.g. not enough people) you will get a full refund.

• If you cancel for any reason after you have made payment prior to 14 days before then we will refund minus a $30 admin fee

• If you cancel less than 14 days before the weekend then no refund. 

• Note that places are transferable so if you need to cancel you do have the option to find somebody else to replace you.