“Taranaki Retreat is a connector-upper. You know you best. The answers to all that you face are in you. Our role is simply to support you in discovering them.”
Taranaki Retreat is Here to Support You Through…
Feeling Isolated – Working Through Major Life Challenges – Suicidal Thoughts – Anxiety – Depression – Feeling There’s Nowhere To Turn To – Hurting Yourself – Just Wanting Good People Around You – Needing To Talk
A Place To Go
The Retreat offers a calm, safe and homely place, where you can re-find yourself, and have the basics of life covered – giving “Space to Breathe.”
A Space to Rest and Reflect
Being at Taranaki Retreat is often described as a turning point. It is an opportunity for things to begin to change – even when hope seems out of reach right now.
Someone to Talk to
Having someone who genuinely cares, taking the time over coffee or a walk together with the dog, to hear and reflect with you on your story – can make such a difference.
Mai i te pō ki te ao mārama – Suicide Prevention
Sometimes things go smoothly for us, but often not. The bumps in our road could be depression, anxiety, or suffering so badly that we turn to harming ourselves. It could be suicidal thoughts, having been through the horrors of attempting suicide ourselves – or seeing someone else go through that.
It may be to do with loss or grief. It could be to do with the breakup of a relationship. It might be that we’ve been abused by somebody else – or perhaps we’re experiencing bullying or hatred (for example, in our workplace – or because of our race or sexuality). Maybe we are just finding that coping any longer is proving too much.
We may be lucky enough have the right whānau and support network around us to help us through the worst that life can throw at us – or it could be that we need some time away from it all. At Taranaki Retreat we believe in providing our tāngata whai ora / Guests (who stay for FREE) with the good stuff of life – because that’s what they most need.
Like delicious, nutritious home-cooked kai.
Like a peaceful environment where restful sleep is possible;
good, caring people around to chat when you need that;
a few animals around to pet;
a cosy bedroom which is your personal space – secure with its own keycoded lock
– just a few steps away from a kitchen stuffed with goodies.
Taking some time out here can dramatically change things. We are all about that.
So – what’s it actually like?
We’ve prepared a few resources to give you a taste of what to expect…
An Inside View
Get a better idea of what goes on at the Retreat through a series of short videos that show you around, introduce our team and talk you through the different ways that we support people. Tap to the left or right of each video to scroll through our selection.
Awhi mai awhi atu – our rōpū
Taranaki Retreat has a large and diverse Team of people that help us tautoko/support others. This includes but is not limited to trustees, support workers, volunteers and a small team of paid staff.
Taranaki Retreat Photostory
Peruse our photo gallery, designed to give you a feel for the ‘vibes’ of the Retreat.
Stay in the Loop
We post regularly on our social media, and send out a monthly newsletter detailing what we’ve been up to, any upcoming events, and some thoroughly wholesome content. This is a great way to get an up-to-date feel of what the Retreat is ‘like’, and has the bonus of adding some genuinely positive, feel-good vibes to your digital feed.
Read our FAQ:
Q. What are your acceptance criteria for tāngata whai ora / guests?
A. We don’t have medical criteria or anything of that sort. Tāngata whai ora don’t need to be referred to the Retreat by any particular agency – people can just get in touch and share their situation, and then fill in our Inquiry Form. From there, we will work together to determine whether the Retreat is the right “fit”, or otherwise tautoko people in finding pathways forward.
The Retreat is a whānau set-up rather than an institution or service. The community works with simple house rules that we all live by. Everyone inquiring about a stay receives these in advance and agrees to abide by them. Two of those rules to flag up are:
1. Personal Conduct – we all agree to keep the Retreat a safe sanctuary in which all are secure and valued. A place where there is no violence, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour, where rangatahi / children and young people are safe and nurtured, and people have space to flourish and enjoy their environment.
2. The Retreat is drug and alcohol-free. There’s a home-built hut for those who like to vape or smoke:)
Q. Who is it for?
The Retreat isn’t ‘for’ any specific type of person – it’s not for religious people in particular, or any socio-economic group. It’s just about people.
Q. What’s the structure for people’s stay?
A. It’s very laid back. Each tangata whai ora / Guest is connected up with a Support Worker, whose role is to see that what you most need out of your stay happens. The only regular occurrence each day is a communal kai in the evening. We often do the planning, cooking, and clean-up together for this. At the Retreat, we also host “Workaway” travellers – who work on keeping the site beautiful, hanging out with tāngata whai ora, and helping to prepare the food.
Often people will find the chance just to relax and catch up on sleep takes up the first few days. Others are keen to take part in our Workshops and Groups. Others still like to explore their creative side – do arty stuff, make music, or do a little gardening. Some tāngata whai ora enjoy the pets, the pool table, the playground, or trying out their skills with the basketball hoop. There’s a fantastic library with a great variety of books; a movies-on-demand system, and even an old-fashioned record player with some vinyl to choose from.
Our focus is on wellness of body, mind and spirit. Some tāngata whai ora appreciate taking part in mindfulness, prayer, and relaxation, or even taking a stroll along the beautiful beach (ten minutes’ drive from the site).
Q. How much does it cost to stay?
A. Absolutely nothing. People staying generally have enough on their plate without worrying about more bills. So – no charges for anything.
Q. What do other people say about the Retreat?
A. “There have been times in my life when I have been close to hitting rock bottom in terms of depression. During these times of unwellness, I remember thinking: “Where can I go? Who do I turn to? If only there was a place I could go to for a couple of days to get well.” A few times I have hit rock bottom, one time worst of all. If the Taranaki Retreat had been available to me, then maybe all the wheels wouldn’t have fallen off. Having a safe place to go where people would be cared for in a completely non-judgmental and loving way by a family and volunteers, is a blessing for all us in Taranaki. In this community, I have come across many people battling depression, facing personal crises or living with raw grief, who would have benefited from having a haven of heart to go to. Now they do – as do I.”
…a Taranaki professional, who has shared in the development of the Retreat.
Q. Can you accommodate people who live outside Aotearoa / New Zealand?
A. Sadly, there’s no way our resources can stretch that far. Additionally, our role is to work alongside other support services; collectively. Of course, there’s no way that we can do that from such a distance. We hope that somewhere in your country, there will be a community of some kind who are there for you. Don’t give up searching.
Q. What are your acceptance criteria for Guests?
A. We don’t have medical criteria or anything of that sort. Tāngata whai ora don’t need to be referred to the Retreat by any particular agency – people can just get in touch and share their situation, and then fill in our Inquiry Form. From there, we will work together to determine whether the Retreat is the right “fit”, or otherwise support people in finding pathways forward.
The Retreat is a whānau set-up rather than an institution or service. The community works with simple house rules that we all live by. Everyone inquiring about a stay receives these in advance and agrees to abide by them. Two of those rules to flag up are:
1. Personal Conduct – we all agree to keep the Retreat a safe sanctuary in which all are secure and valued. A place where there is no violence, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour, where rangatahi / children and young people are safe and nurtured, and people have space to flourish and enjoy their environment.
2. The Retreat is drug and alcohol-free. There’s a home-built hut for those who like to vape or smoke:)
Q. What’s the structure for people’s stay?
A. It’s very laid back. Each tangata whai ora / Guest is connected up with a Support Worker, whose role is to see that what you most need out of your stay, happens. The only regular occurrence each day is a communal kai in the evening. We often do the planning, cooking and clean-up together for this. At the Retreat, we also host “Workaway” travellers – who work on keeping the site beautiful, hanging out with tāngata whai ora, and helping to prepare the food.
Often people will find the chance just to relax and catch up on sleep takes up the first few days. Others are keen to take part in our Workshops and Groups. Others still like to explore their creative side – do arty stuff, make music, or do a little gardening. Some tāngata whai ora enjoy the pets, the pool table, the playground, or trying out their skills with the basketball hoop. There’s a fantastic library with a great variety of books; a movies-on-demand system, and even an old-fashioned record player with some vinyl to choose from.
Our focus is on wellness of body, mind and spirit. Some tāngata whai ora appreciate taking part in mindfulness, prayer, and relaxation, or even taking a stroll along the beautiful beach (ten minutes’ drive from the site).
Q. What do other people say about the Retreat?
A. “There have been times in my life when I have been close to hitting rock bottom in terms of depression. During these times of unwellness, I remember thinking: “Where can I go? Who do I turn to? If only there was a place I could go to for a couple of days to get well.” A few times I have hit rock bottom, one time worst of all. If the Taranaki Retreat had been available to me, then maybe all the wheels wouldn’t have fallen off. Having a safe place to go where people would be cared for in a completely non-judgmental and loving way by a family and volunteers, is a blessing for all us in Taranaki. In this community, I have come across many people battling depression, facing personal crises or living with raw grief, who would have benefited from having a haven of heart to go to. Now they do – as do I.”
…a Taranaki professional, who has shared in the development of the Retreat.
Q. Who is it for?
The Retreat isn’t for any specific type of person – it’s not for religious people in particular, or any socio-economic group. It’s just about people. Learn More
Q. How much does it cost to stay?
A. Absolutely nothing. People staying generally have enough on their plate without worrying about more bills. So – no charges for anything.
Q. Can you accommodate people who live outside Aotearoa / New Zealand?
A. Sadly, there’s no way our resources can stretch that far. Additionally, our role is to work alongside other support services; collectively. Of course, there’s no way that we can do that from such a distance. We hope that somewhere in your country, there will be a community of some kind who are there for you. Don’t give up searching.