Dear Fellow New Zealand SRF’rs,
As many of you know, the tradition of having retreats began 25 years ago this year.
Historically, the retreats were national with devotees from both North and South Islands
attending. Over the course of time, retreats have become more regional in nature with
groups around New Zealand conducting their own annual and sometimes semi-annual
retreats.
This year, we are hoping to re-establish the tradition of a true “national” retreat, with
your help. To that end, we have compiled information from four very special retreat
locations around New Zealand in the hope that you will choose your first two favourites
and help us revive our former tradition. Set out below are the four options from which to
choose: two are in the Wellington area, one is in Auckland, and the fourth is at Tauhara
in Taupo.
In recognition of the effort that goes into getting all of us together (especially for those
who will have to fly, bus, train, carpool, or shuttle in!), this year’s national retreat is a test
to see how people feel about making a national retreat a more regular occurrence. One
possibility could be to organise a national retreat every 3 years or so, alternating retreats
in the North and South Islands. That way, we can stay connected while still enjoying our
interim regional retreats. Something for all of us to think about!
If you would like to participate in this year’s national retreat please cast your vote for
your first and second choice of retreat venue (and retreat weekend for those venues that
have more than one weekend choice available) by no later than Friday, 25 February,
2011, by RSVP’ing to the Wellington Circle of SRF at srf.wgtn@gmail.com. The
purpose for ranking your first two choices is to avoid having to repeat the process in the
unlikely event of a tie. The venue with the most votes will be the winner for this year’s
national retreat.
As soon as the votes are in, we can confirm the retreat location and begin planning.
Please note that the costs set out in the attached summaries are estimates only and could
increase if minimum group size is not achieved. The more that attend, the better the deal!
Thank you in advance for your interest and participation. We look forward to spending
time with you, our extended SRF family. In Master’s words:
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"By deep concentration in union with other seekers, a devotee transmutes his will into
God's Will. ... Every devotee should strengthen his realization of Divine Will through
prayer, through God-communion in meditation, and through spiritual company."
—Paramahansa Yogananda
In Master,
The Organisers
P.S. Please note that we are steering clear of the dates that the Rugby World Cup is in
town, which is why the retreat dates are in late October and November.
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Option No. 1: The Lodge at Pauatahanui Inlet (Wellington) www.thelodgevenue.co.nz
This beautiful hotel sits high above Pautahanui Inlet, approximately 20 minutes from
Wellington. Your hosts, Peter and his wife, have welcomed us by opening the entire
property to us. Usually used for weddings and conventions, this country hotel has opened
the doors not only to the main Lodge, but also to the remodeled coach house and large
convention room that sits above it.
Details:
Rooms
Total accommodation in 5 individual rooms in the Lodge proper: 16 (3 family rooms
sleep 4 and 2 double rooms with queen beds sleep 4. If only singles use the queen beds,
then total accommodation is reduced to 11.) These rooms are finished to a very high
standard.
There is one additional room in the Lodge as well as 2 additional rooms in the coach
house (used for visiting Woofers) that are of an average but clean standard, which can
accommodate another 7-8 people (5 in single beds and 2-3 in a family style room with a
queen bottom bunk bed and single top bunk). The coach house has its own small
kitchen/dining area and bathroom facilities.
There is additional marae-style accommodation in one of the main conference rooms in
the Lodge, which can be divided into 5 large sections by drawing floor-length curtains.
We would have access to 2 or 3 conference rooms (depending on how much of the large
conference room is used marae-style). There is a large deck and a variety of quiet seating
areas, as well as access to lovely walks on the hotel grounds and by the inlet.
Food
3 main vegetarian meals: Dinner on Friday, Dinner on Saturday, Brunch on Sunday.
Simple cold breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday
Lunch on Saturday consisting of simple vegetarian sandwiches.
Cost (based on 40-person occupancy)
Between $200 - $250 per person depending on accommodation.
Availability
28-30 Oct., 18-20 Nov., and 25-27 Nov.
Summary
Pluses: Beautiful property, close to Wellington for transport purposes, Lodge rooms have
private bathrooms (there are 4 public toilets in the Lodge and coach house), very
accommodating hosts.
Minuses: No single private rooms, shared shower facilities for marae-style lodgers with
those in rooms, those in marae and coach house to provide own bedding.
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Option No. 2: Riverslea Retreat (Otaki Gorge, north of Wellington)
www.riverslearetreat.co.nz/
This purpose-built retreat facility is run by Yoga in Daily Life members, Chris and Lilian.
It is anywhere between 1 and 1.5 hours north of Wellington, depending on traffic, in
bush-clad hills above the banks of the Otaki river.
Details:
Rooms
Total accommodation in main lodge: 37 in bunk-style accommodation in 6 rooms (4
rooms sleep 8, 1 room sleeps 3 and 1 room sleeps 2). These rooms are finished to an
average but clean standard. There is one main conference room and a small deck.
Furnishings are a bit tired.
There is an additional 2-bedroom cottage that sleeps 3-4 people (1 room has 2 single
beds; 1 room has double bed). Cottage is about to undergo refurbishment.
Bedding provided: 1 flat sheet, pillow and pillow case. Extra bedding, including extra
sheet, duvet, towel and soap is available for additional one-off $15 cost.
Property lends itself to pitching a couple of tents, which could be used for a dedicated
meditation room and/or kirtan tent.
Food
3 main vegetarian meals: Dinner on Friday, Dinner on Saturday, Brunch on Sunday.
Simple cold breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday
Lunch on Saturday consisting of simple soup/bread.
Cost (based on a minimum 12-person occupancy)
$175 - $185 per person depending on whether accommodation is in the lodge or the
cottage (extra bedding cost not included).
Availability
28-30 Oct., 18-20 Nov.
Summary
Pluses: Situated in beautiful bush, close to Otaki River with its nature walks and
swimming hole, plenty of bathroom facilities in lodge, accommodating hosts.
Minuses: No single private rooms, far from Wellington.
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Option No. 3: St. Francis Retreat (Auckland) www.stfrancisretreatcentre.org.nz/
This purpose-built retreat facility is run by Franciscan Friars. It is approximately 20
minutes from Auckland airport on 3 hectares of park-like grounds.
Details:
Rooms
Total accommodation: 40 in individual private rooms. We can have exclusive use of
Chapel, Conference Room, Fireplace Room and Library if a 25-person minimum
occupancy is achieved.
Food
3 Meals on Saturday
Breakfast and Brunch on Sunday
(Friday dinner available at additional cost of approx $40 per person.)
Cost
$190 (Friday dinner not included.)
Availability
25-27 Nov.
Summary
Pluses: Single, private rooms, situated in beautiful park-like setting, close to Auckland
airport.
Minuses: Three shared bathrooms.
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Option No. 4: Tauhara (Taupo) www.tauharacentre.org.nz/
The Tauhara Retreat and Conference Retreat Centre is familiar with many devotees from
the North Island since it has hosted many SRF retreats in the past. From last year’s
positive reviews, retreatants found Tauhara to be comfortably refurbished.
Details:
Rooms
Accommodations for up to 50 people range from nonresidential stay, to camping,
caravan, shared bunk-style accommodation to private cottages. We would have access to
the Main Hall and Common Room.
Food
2 evening meals Friday and Saturday
2 lunches Saturday and Sunday
2 breakfasts Saturday and Sunday
Per Person Costs
Non residential - $150 (meals included)
Camping - $160 (no bedding, meals included)
Caravans single or share - $180 (no bedding, meals included)
Bunkroom, shared- $190 (no bedding, meals included)
Self-contained motel style, shared - $220 (bedding, meals included)
Self-contained motel style, single - $260 (bedding, meals included)
Availability
4-6 Nov.
Summary
Pluses: Ample accommodation, recently refurbished, situated on beautiful, purpose-built
retreat grounds.
Minuses: Difficult to access, some shared toilet/shower facilities, possible second group
of 12 meditators also on premises that weekend using some accommodation and meeting
room at south end of property. (To be confirmed.)
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