Te Wahi Ora Women's Retreat Piha — Local services in Waitākere Ranges

Sorry for the late review. I just now noticed I'd forgotten to do this when I returned to normal life back on Dec 25th 2018.

I was lucky enough to stay a couple nights at this retreat due to the generosity of my Mum and the Te Wahi Ora sponsorship application. Bev and the other ladies who work at Te Wahi Ora were so welcoming and supportive. The other women who were staying at the retreat at the time were super lovely and I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed everyone's company and conversation. For me, Bev was the biggest surprise. She is so knowledgeable about so many different topics, open to non-judgmental. I especially liked hearing from her during our lunch and dinner conversations.

I'd say I'm younger than most women who choose to stay at Te Wahi Ora, but that suited me just fine. If you're after a retreat which includes spas, 24/7 room service and getting dressed up for fancy dinners and loud parties - this is not the place for you. Te Wahi Ora provide meals (and try their best to cater to different dietary preferences) to share with others or in your room if you prefer some alone time, your own clean and tidy room to relax in, beautiful gardens & outdoor relaxation areas and just a whole lot of time to chill out in peace and quiet. I've included the 4 pictures I took during my stay. Three are of the Sunflower room, situated at the very back of the property, and one is standing at the back door next to the kitchen enjoying the rain coming down on the garden.

I'd highly recommend Te Wahi Ora to anyone needing some time and space to retreat, relax and reboot from what ever your busy life looks like for you. Its a safe place, and a welcoming place. I hope to visit...

Sometimes you need a little push to do and see and explore the needs of self. I simply googled "Womens Retreat New Zealand" How simple was that... and if you google those 4 words, you too will be offered a most amazing opportunity to explore what you have been rushing around trying to find. An A frame home, with other accommodation in the rear of a delightful garden and a ocean view.. I was teased prior to going that I would have to be a nudist, a lesbian, a religious nutter and would be eating types of seeds. How brave at 75 that I should fly Air NewZealand, take the Piha Shuttle with Peter the driver, who picks up from domestic and international travellers, (so Ozzies and Americans) come on over, because you don't know how lucky you are to ||have access to my above knowledge... and be invited into the most wondeful and warmly welcomed accommodation. I stayed 4 nights, - when I first arrived, I thought, what the heck am I going to do, because doing nothing was quite frightening, It took about 1 1/2 days for me to realize that I actually had such an amazing opportunity to reclaim a little of ones self. Two massages, 1 counselling hour, discovering the beach, and most fabulous fabulous food. The chefs are superb, gorgeous healthy yummy food, lovingly served, I even learned how to us a nordic pole, as I have a slight walking difficulty. I am now back in the commercial world again of Christchurch, but so delighted to have had such a supporting and caring time away,.||Go, enjoy, research the above, and be very very grateful a place like...

Te Wahi Ora is the perfect place to receive rest, wisdom and love. The conversations are wonderful around the dining table, the rooms perfect for solitude, the beach and sea a heartbeat away for a walking meditation or reflection on life. The food is delicious, beautifully prepared, with the famous 'billy' breakfast to take away with you each night and open at leisure.

The Writing Weekends provide a safe and loving space to unfold the stories inside all of us waiting to be heard.

For me, returning to Te Wahi Ora, is like a homecoming; a coming home to myself where I can be fully present and fully alive. In fact, the name Te Wahi Ora, translates from Maori, as 'a place to belong to while moving towards wholeness.'

A name that lives up to...