Taranaki Retreat is a community sanctuary, here to provide time-out space for families and individuals to stay free of charge, when times are tough.

“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.

Looking out over the Retreat Site in the morning.

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. Scroll down to have a look through our videos of the space.

Our People

Taranaki Retreat has a large and diverse team of people that help us support others. This includes but is not limited to trustees, support workers, volunteers and a small team of paid staff.

Our Team Page

Our Stories

You’ve heard what we do, and why we do it. But does it work? Don’t take it from us. Discover how people benefit from our support through those who have lived the Retreat experience.

Go To Our Stories Page

Sometimes things go smoothly for us, but often not. The bumps in our road could be depression; anxiety; suffering so badly that we turn to harming ourselves. It could be suicidal thoughts, or having being 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 Guests (who stay for FREE) with the good stuff of life – because that’s what they most need. Like delicious, nutritious home-cooked food.

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.

Read our FAQ:

Q. What are your acceptance criteria for guests?

A. We don’t have medical criteria or anything of that sort. Guests 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 :

Personal Conduct – we all agree to keep the Retreat as a safe sanctuary in which all are secure and valued. A place where there is no violence, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour, where children are safe and nurtured, and people have space to flourish and enjoy their environment.
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 Guest is connected up with a Support Worker, whose role is to see that what you most need out of your stay is helped to happen. 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 Guests, 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. Still others like to explore their creative side – and do arty stuff, make music, or do a little gardening. Some Guests enjoy the pets, the pool table, the playground and 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 Guests appreciate taking part in yoga, massage, pilates, prayer and meditation, or even off-site activities such as equine therapy and taking a stroll along the beautiful beach (ten minutes’ drive from the site).

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.

Click Here To Read More Details

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.

Click Here for our Stories Page

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.