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Waimanako i te taha moana – Waimanako by the Sea
As I look out to the sea, my eyes are blinded by blue. The bottom of my line of sight is framed with green trees, and I can almost taste the saltiness of the seaspray. I turn my head slightly to the left, and just out of the corner of my eye, I see movement. My ears...
Waimanako: He Pūrākau o Te Tūmanako- A Story of Hope
I te timatanga, in the heart of Ngāmotu, New Plymouth, where the Ngāmotu hapū of Te Āti Awa iwi had long flourished, there flowed a sacred awa named Huatoki. Its waters had run through the whenua for countless generations, carrying away sorrows and bringing renewal to...
Waimanako: He Pūrākau o Te Tūmanako – A Story of Hope (abridged)
A Story of Hope In the heart of Ngāmotu, New Plymouth, where the Ngāmotu hapū of Te Āti Awa iwi have long flourished, flows the sacred Huatoki awa. For countless generations, its waters have carried away sorrows and brought renewal to all who stood upon its banks....
Embracing Balance and Resilience: My Journey with Waimanako & The Retreat
For the past three years, I’ve had the immense privilege of volunteering at Waimanako, an inspiring initiative under the umbrella of The Retreat, where I’ve facilitated weekly Friday workshops centered on breathwork, cold therapy, and meditation. These sessions have...
Letting Go of Waimanako – Mark One
What a month at Waimanako - as we've begun our transition out from these much-loved premises! The massive downpours have highlighted a few things for us:- - The growing extent of impact on communities in our motu, and worldwide - of the rapidly changing climate. For...
Compassion
In the thick smog of the roads in Southern India, a familiar silhouette is that of a beggar gambling with the kindness of those journeying on that road. Some choose to give, others choose to ignore, while others choose to look, do nothing, and blame the government....
Self-Care Thursday – Tips to Help Fill Your Cup
Kia ora, ko Jess ahau. I’m new to the Retreat Staff Team, and I’m super excited to be sharing some blogs with you! Before working at Taranaki Retreat, I had a busy career in the film industry in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. I worked a ridiculous amount, had very little time...
Zach on Third Spaces
Kia ora e te whānau, Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about third spaces. If you’re not familiar with the term, here’s a quick definition: if the home is our primary, ‘first space’ where we spend time, and work/school/university is our ‘second space’, then what is...
For the Love of Ducks
Kia ora whānau, Just a little lighthearted entry this month. Given the theme of one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, which is now fast approaching, it feels appropriate to spend some time waxing lyrical about ducks. Not the plastic bath toys we’re sending down...
The Weird Christmas-New Year Limbo
Kia ora e te whānau - Meri Kirihimete me te Tau Hou! I just wanted to reflect briefly on the weird little limbo period that comes between Christmas and the New Year. That week during which everything is closed - the city almost goes to sleep. Personally, as I...