Waihōanga Packages
Groups that stay at Waihōanga vary significantly: please contact us for a customized quote tailored to your group.We base our quotes around five packages, which are tailored to different types of groups and activities. These range from the simplest 'lodge-only' package to all-inclusive packages for organisations and celebrations.
Whatever the size of your group, you will always have exclusive use of the venue, including the lodge and optional additional cabins, as well as river access.
- Lodge, with lounge, conservatory, kitchen, bathrooms and 3 shared sleeping areas
- 8 separate indoor sleeping areas
- 2 small cabins (bunk bed in each), with private toilet
- Saddleback cabin (sleeps 4)
- Kākāpō and kiwi cabins, each with double bed (from October 2025)
- Yurt
- Pīwakawaka Therapy Cabin
- Exclusive use of Waihōanga venue
- Comfortable and spacious meeting rooms and break-out spaces
- Self-catering kitchen and options to bring in caterers
- Wifi internet and internet-enabled 75" HD screen/TV
- Trestle tables and whiteboards
- One hour's drive from Wellington or Palmerston North
- Close train and airport options
- Charging point for electric vehicles
Our group stayed at Waihoanga for a weekend retreat in November and loved everything about it. The main lodge has everything you need, and the additional cabins provided privacy for those who needed to be away from the main group. Our hosts were really tuned in to meeting our needs, and although it rained most of the time, this just added to the beauty of the venue. I can't wait to visit again.
Mahi Package
Wānanga, writing retreats, hui
Perfect for organisations looking for an affordable, comfortable and well-equipped venue to hold strategy meetings, research and writing retreats, small conferences, wānanga and field trips.
Tailored for: GST-registered organisations seeking a simple, all-inclusive, price
Check-in: 3pm arrival / 10am departure (Mon-Thur) / 2pm departure (Sunday)
Price: $1450/ night + cleaning + GST.
Numbers: Up to 20 people.
Includes: the lodge, Chicken and Rooster huts, Saddleback cabin, Pīwakawaka cabin, wifi, 75″ internet TV, trestle tables and whiteboards.
Optional extras: Kākāpō and Kiwi cabins, the yurt, camping, early check-in/ late check-out.
Additional guests (per person per night): $60 per bed, $40 camping and day guests $30 per day (+ GST).
It was an amazing stay! Everyone LOVED the location, environment. 10 out of 10. We had 15 young women + 5 adults stay. People can't wait to come back.
Shift Foundation
I've been attending a wānanga at Waihōanga each November for the last three years, and it is always great. Close to the river, the location is peaceful and relaxing. The self-catering facilities have everything you need and the meeting facilities are good. Love the wood fire heaters to keep warm at night. The whole place is spotlessly clean. Looking forward to next year's stay already. Highly recommended for groups.
Senior Lecturer, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington
Retreat Package
Tailored for: retreats and groups that want the option to start small and add extra cabins as numbers are confirmed
Check-in: 3pm arrival / 10am departure (Mon-Thur) / 2pm departure (Sunday)
Price: $1300/ night + cleaning, up to 18 people
Low-season price: $1050/ night + cleaning, up to 16 people (August - mid-October)
Includes: the lodge, Chicken and Rooster huts, wifi, 75″ internet TV
Optional extras: Saddleback cabin, Kākāpō and Kiwi cabins, the yurt, Pīwakawaka cabin, early check-in/ late check-out.
Additional guests (per person per night): $60 per bed, $40 camping and day guests $30 per day.
We have held our retreats at Waihōanga Retreat Space for the last few years and we have absolutely loved every time.
All of our retreat goers experience a magic like no other being at this space - from the yurt, to hanging around the kitchen and fireplaces, the the private access river - it really is a magical place. We will never leave!
SOSHA School of Spiritual Healing Arts
Celebration Weekend
Weddings at Waihōanga are very special. It's also a wonderful venue for other celebrations such as anniversaries and significant birthdays. In addition to providing a private, intimate and natural location, the venue also offers a range of accommodation options for your loved ones & friends to stay and celebrate with you over several days.
These celebrations do, however, have a much higher impact on the Waihōanga team and our neighbours than most other bookings. As a result, we now restrict these to small, intimate events that are focussed on sharing a special time with loved ones in a beautiful natural environment. We have a strict policy around alcohol and noise, and will only agree to hosting your wedding or event after we meet you and learn more about your vision for your special day.
Tailored for: small weddings and other significant celebrations.
Check-in: 3pm arrival / 10am departure (Mon-Thur) / 2pm departure (Sunday)
Price: $7400 (full weekend price, 2 nights)
Numbers: Up to 40 people.
Includes: the lodge, Chicken and Rooster huts, wifi & 75" internet TV, Saddleback cabin, Kākāpō and Kiwi cabins, cleaning
Also includes: up to 2 site visits prior to the event.
Optional extras: Yurt, early check-in/ late check-out.
Extra nights: at bare-bones rate (see below)
Note: We request that you hire a stretch tent or similar marquee for large groups and all weddings in order to ensure a celebratory gathering whatever the weather.
We were so incredibly lucky to have our wedding in Waihōanga! We really wanted to find a venue that would allow us to create the wedding we want and make us and our guests feel at home. When we met Rhian, Andy and their wonderful daughter, Georgia, and they showed us around, we knew we had found the right venue for us. The beautiful grounds nested between the green hills and the Ōtaki river were the perfect backdrop for our special day. Andy and Rhian and their team were incredible to deal with and we had an amazing day.
Small Group Package
Tailored for: small groups
Check-in: 3pm arrival / 10am departure (Mon-Thur) / 2pm departure (Sunday)
Price: $900/ night + cleaning
High season: Bookings confirmed up to 2 months in advance (November - March)
Numbers: Up to 10 people
Includes: the lodge (lounge, conservatory, bathrooms and kitchen), wifi, 75″ internet TV
Optional extras: Chicken and Rooster cabins, Saddleback cabin, Kākāpō and Kiwi cabins, the yurt, Pīwakawaka cabin, early check-in/ late check-out.
Additional guests: see other retreat packages
A most lovely setting, facilities, and family welcomed us to our stay at Waihōanga. A well equipped indoor and outdoor kitchen, lovely comfortable beds with various room sizes to suit, immaculately clean and tidy, and two fireplaces over the main areas to keep things toasty.
Our whole group were stoked with all of the above for our middle-of-winter gathering, and look forward to our next visit.
Day-only Package
Tailored for: groups that want to use the venue during a day only (no accommodation)
Check-in: 10am arrival / 6pm departure
Price: $1500 (Tuesday - Thursday September - May); $1200 (Tuesday - Thursday June - August); $2000 (weekend, pending availability)
Numbers: Up to 20 people
Includes: the lodge (lounge, conservatory, bathrooms and kitchen), wifi, 75″ internet TV
Optional extras: the yurt, Pīwakawaka hut
Additional guests: $50 per person per day.
As soon as you cross the bridge, you feel a weight lift off your shoulders as you’re transported to pretty much what can only be described as a fantasy land!