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. ​
He whakaruruhau ā-hapori a Taranaki Retreat, he wāhi tānga manawa mō ngā whānau me ngā tāngata kia haere mai ki te noho, mō te koreutu, i ngā wā o te raru.

"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."

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"Kia ora
​I'm a guy in my 20s who stayed at Taranaki Retreat during 2018. Things had been going wrong for a long time, when one day I knew it was all too much. I felt like I couldn't go on any more. I tried to end my life. I had never done anything like that before. I won't tell you what I did, because I know hearing that sh*t doesn't help anyone, and I want to help people who are going through what I went through. I wish I could go back to that moment and tell myself not to. I know now that I made the wrong call, but I couldn't see that then, or how it would  have broken so many hearts. I was pulled to safety, but I didn't know how to change things. I was hurting too much and was f*ckin angry about everything that had happened. The awesome people at the Retreat gave me a stay. The things that helped most were being in a non-stressful environment, working with the Life Coach and Support Worker and learning to value myself, help to stop drinking, going to the meditations and the home-cooked food. The team were always around to help on my journey and to listen. They really care. I have a future and have now started a new job so I can support my son better. I have stopped drinking. I am proud to be alive. If you're reading this - you can get this too."

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"Such a wonderful, caring, supportive, non judgmental environment. The veil that was covering my eyes and making me blind to taking control of my life was lifted at Taranaki Retreat."

Donate/​koha

Get to Know the Workings Behind the Retreat
Me mōhio ki ngā whakahaere o te punanga

An Inside View/​He Tirohanga i Roto

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.

Learn More
Rapu kōrero atu anō

Team/Rōpū

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.

Meet the team
Tūtaki ki te rōpū 

Stories/Mātau ā-wheako

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. ​

Guest Feedback
Urupare Manuhiri 

We also support people at home,
​and through day hang-outs at the Retreat.
Ka tautoko anō mātou i ngā tāngata i te kāinga, ā, me ngā wā noho tahi mō te rā i te Punanga.

Read The Retreat Co-ordinator's recent blog post about our work: 

​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.

How Taranaki Retreat Helps With...
He pēhea te āwhina a Taranaki Retreat me…

 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
He Wāhi hei Haere​​

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."

Someone to Talk to
He Tangata hei Kōrerorero​

​Having someone who genuinely cares,
taking the time over coffee or a walk together
with the dogs, to hear and reflect with you
on your story - can make such a difference. 

A Space to Rest and Think
​He Wāhi hei Whakatā me te Whakaaroaro

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.

We'd love to keep you in the loop.
Kei te hiahia mātou ki te
​whakamōhio haere i a koe.

Is this mahi your passion? We believe we're all in this together. Every month we send a brief news update to our  extended whānau. It is a genuine encouragement to us all involved in this, to know that you are there. If you'd like to stay in touch - click the "Newsletter" button below. 
Goes without saying - but naturally we won't pass on your details to anyone else - EVER.... and of course, you can unsubscribe any time.

Thank you; kia ora ra.

Newsletter/Kawerongo