It can be incredibly daunting to ask for help, especially if you fear being rejected for who you are.
That is why it is imperative that you know Taranaki Retreat and Waimanako is a diverse, open-minded, accepting community, and will help anyone that we can, regardless of race, sexuality, gender identity, class, culture, or religion. We are committed to mana ōrite – equitable outcomes for all.
It can be incredibly daunting to ask for help, especially if you fear being rejected for who you are. That is why it is imperative that you know Taranaki Retreat and Waimanako is a diverse, open-minded, accepting community, and will help anyone that we can, regardless of race, sexuality, gender identity, class, culture, or religion. We are committed to mana ōrite – equitable outcomes for all.
Sometimes our work is to find out a better or more suitable resource than the Retreat, according to people’s circumstances (but NEVER because of ‘who they are’).
We tautoko some people through our Outreach Programme – and others are best helped through a stay. We tautoko others still at Waimanako, or through phone/email/journalling contact. We acknowledge the limitations that a non-clinical/whānau-based communal living setting has, and that there are some situations where we may not be the right fit. If that’s the case, we’ll do our best to work with you to find the next step.
For Māori:
We see the impacts of marginalisation. We work with local Kaupapa Māori organisations, iwi and hapū, and live in the spirit of partnership that the Treaty of Waitangi intended. We are so keen to help anyone in this community who needs it, so if this is you, please don’t hesitate to reach out and see if we can support you. You will find Taranaki Retreat and Waimanako to be places that love and live Tikanga Māori, mindful of the intergenerational effects of colonisation.
“I am a professional advisor and advocate in the Iwi community and work across a number of organisations, authorities and agencies. Despite my education and self-confidence in who I am and what I do, I face racism whether intended or unintended daily. These incidents leave me feeling dumb, dirty, unworthy and small. I am a woman of faith and a product of the values of my tupuna/ancestors. But for my blessed upbringing repeated racist experiences have the potential to damage my soul beyond repair. I wish for a human reconciliation of the spirit which can only be achieved by each of us having genuine empathy for one another. The Retreat and the tikanga it lives by and promotes gives me hope that genuine empathy human to human, soul to soul can be achieved.”
For those in the LGBTQIA+ community:
It can be really difficult to know who to turn to for help when you don’t know who will accept you. We know that this is especially painful if you are in the LGBTQIA+ community, who face, every day, the effects on their health of marginalisation and rejection. Whether it is because of the stigma that surrounds this community, not feeling safe around prejudiced family or friends, the difficulty of having to hide your identity, or the trials that come with transitioning, we’re here to tautoko you.
In some ways, the world is changing, in regard to supporting, accepting, and loving this community, but we still have such a long way to go.
We want to work towards mana ōrite – a future where LGBTQIA+ people are safe and free to express who they are, and together, BE the change we want to see.
If you are reaching out, please don’t feel that you need to keep your sexuality or gender identity a secret. Partners/spouses are also more than welcome to join you during your stay at the Retreat.
“As a transgender man, I am haunted by shame around my identity. I feel pressure to hide who I am, fearing that people’s acceptance of me would drop away if they knew that I was, in fact, born a girl.
As transphobic sentiment grows in political popularity, it can be difficult to know who will accept you, or where to turn for help. Outing yourself for support is an immensly vulnerable, and unfortunately risky exercise. That’s why organisations like the Retreat bring me so much relief in how openly they love and support my community. Within the Retreat environment, I know that I am entirely safe to be who I am, and nobody will see me as lesser for doing so. That is absolutely invaluable.”
For those living with a disability:
It is incredibly trying when the world judges you for who you are. When you have to carry the double-burden of bearing a disability AND being discriminated against for it. Even in this day and age, you will know the realities of prejudice against those one in four of us who live with a disability. With so many public places being virtually inaccessible – not only by wheelchair, but allowing for those of us who struggle to hear to be accommodated, for example. And then, there’s how people stare, how they judge, how they act in a patronising manner as if you’re not quite a person; or even worse, how they act as if you don’t have the right to be there. EVERYONE has the right to be there. And just because we are dealing with a disability – which makes life that much harder to navigate anyway – does not mean being patronised helps!
At the Retreat and Waimanako, we are well aware of how difficult life can be when you are disabled – how exhausting it is to be constantly fighting to be treated as an equal, and we want to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have a disability; we are fully wheelchair accessible, and will do everything that we can to accommodate whatever you may need. We are no strangers to the fact that disabled people are more at-risk of mental illness – and we really want to change this, and while we’re at it, do all that we can to counter ableism.
“As a volunteer who worked at the retreat I am struck not just by the wonderful relaxing setting but by how everyone is so accepted for who they are as a person; regardless of sexuality, gender, race or whatever may mark you apart. This is so essential for providing a healthy environment for self care, acceptance, and self celebration of who you are, enabling you to embrace and work towards a hopeful way forward.”
For those of all kinds of spiritualities:
At the Retreat and Waimanako, we work with a model for wellbeing called “Te Whare Tapa Whā”. The thinking is that our wellness depends on four dimensions of being human – taha tinana, taha wairua, taha hinengaro, and taha whānau – our physical, spiritual, mental and social health. We acknowledge and celebrate a holistic view of what makes us the amazing complex creatures that we are. Karakia is offered at our shared kai by one of our Team; and the Retreat has a Chapel space in which spirituality is recognised and respected.
Our Team of Staff and Volunteers is composed of people with all kinds of faith (including those who don’t hold a faith at all). We want you to know that this is our framework, and it’s one in which your own personal spirituality will be welcomed. We also know that it can be very painful for those who are mocked or shamed for their beliefs, or for those who are treated with fear because of the actions of extremists or others acting in the name of a faith, but not encompassing its true values. Our environment is one in which differing beliefs and spiritualities are respected and not imposed (if you come to stay – we ask that you please respect other Guests’ spiritualities/faiths and refrain from being in any way pushy with your own!) We will never turn people away due to their faith, so please don’t refrain from letting us know if this is something important to you.
“I’m a recent Guest at Taranaki Retreat. I don’t believe in a ‘Higher Power’ as such, but the Chapel at the Retreat is so peaceful, and turned out to be where I spent a lot of my time. I felt so restful there – it helped to deal with my anxiety. The mountain view over the fields helped too, and just knowing the mountain was there, even when it was raining. I knew I could get spiritual support if I needed it, but it came to me all on its own.”
For those from a migrant community:
Finding your feet in an unfamiliar place and a different culture brings its share of challenges, as well as delights. But when you also find yourself alone, especially when you’re in need of tautoko/support, things can be really difficult – especially if your family are overseas; the friendships are not yet built up; perhaps you’re not sure where to look for help; and life suddenly seems all too much.
At the Retreat and Waimanako, we completely understand this, and would be more than happy to help you out in finding the right supports and groups to grow your networks and walk alongside you on this new journey.
We are committed to treating EVERYONE with the loving acceptance and care that they deserve. At the same time, we know well that open-mindedness and willingness to evolve over time are crucial elements for remaining a truly accepting community.
We’re not perfect, and are always looking to learn and improve. Please don’t hesitate to let us know how we could do better. Thank you.
We are committed to treating EVERYONE with the loving acceptance and care that they deserve. At the same time, we know well that open-mindedness and willingness to evolve over time are crucial elements for remaining a truly accepting community.
We’re not perfect, and are always looking to learn and improve. Please don’t hesitate to let us know how we could do better. Thank you.