Blog Tahi: Itinerary of a writers’ retreat
Photographs by Emily Parr, 2021, Te Kopua Writers Retreat, Whaingaroa, Raglan.
The last and only writers’ retreat I attended was on my whenua at Te Kopua, Whāingaroa, Raglan in 2021, which I facilitated for my fellow art peers during our visual arts degrees. We were all stressed and experiencing writer’s block, so I suggested we stay at my whānau whenua for a weekend and see how we go.
Packing list:
pillow and sleeping bag
1 x dinner plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork, spoon (labelled)
1 x tea towel (wash and dry own dishes)
1 x drink bottle (labelled)
breakfast/snacks (Fri/Sat)
biodegradable rubbish bag (for own rubbish to collect and take home)
yoga mat (Saturday morning session), optional
swimwear, sleepwear, daywear, towels, toiletries)
writing materials
books
paints and materials for tyre painting competition (optional)
Itinerary (subject to change):
Friday
10am – arrive at Te Kopua Kokiri Whaingaroa (welcome, kōrero debrief, house rules, agenda, meet and greet, unpack)
12pm – vegan lunch provided
12:30pm – clean up
1–5pm – writing time
5:30pm – homemade vegan dinner provided
6pm – clean up
6:30–9:30pm – reflective/sharing wānanga or writing
Saturday
7am – morning flow with Raglan Yoga Loft Retreat (on whenua in front of stage outside)
8am – breakfast
8:30am – clean up
9am–1pm – writing time (4 hours)
1pm – vegan lunch provided by local cafe
1:30pm – clean up
2–6pm writing time
6pm – dinner
6:30pm – clean up
7–10pm – reflective/sharing wānanga or writing
Sunday
7am – swim/hīkoi (dependent on tides)
8am – breakfast
9am – clean up
12pm – depart for home
Chantel Matthews (Founder/Editor)
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