For Whangapoua local Catherine Parr, bringing two very different retreat experiences to the Coromandel this November is about bringing her work home.
Catherine, founder of Returning to Wholeness, has deep whakapapa (ancestral and genealogical connections) throughout the Northern Coromandel, including Whangapoua and Harataunga – Kennedy Bay, whenua (land) connected to her whānau (family) and tīpuna (ancestors).
That connection is shared with her whanaunga Hāmuera Maika, who is from Harataunga – Kennedy Bay and is one of the kaikōrero (orators and speakers) at Harataunga Marae.
The first experience brings internationally recognised Reiki Master and meditation teacher Frank Arjava Petter from Greece to Mana Retreat Centre. As it closes, the journey moves to Rākairoa, Harataunga Marae for an immersion grounded in Te Ao Māori (the Māori world and worldview), facilitated by Catherine and Hāmuera.
A rare international experience in the Coromandel
From 9 to 12 November, Frank Arjava Petter will be at Mana Retreat Centre for The Samadhi Sessions.
Frank brings decades of experience in meditation and Reiki, drawing from Eastern and Western traditions. Having lived and trained extensively in Japan, his work is deeply connected to Reiki’s Japanese roots. The Samadhi Sessions are not Reiki training, but an opportunity to explore different meditation practices and discover what resonates personally.
Catherine will facilitate morning breathwork sessions during the retreat, offering two distinct modalities from her practice: 9D Breathwork and Te Hā (the breath).
No previous experience with Reiki, meditation or breathwork is needed to take part.
“I think sometimes we believe we have to travel somewhere else to find these experiences,” Catherine says. “There is something really special about being able to bring them home to the Coromandel.”
From Mana to Harataunga
From 12 to 14 November, the journey moves to Rākairoa, Harataunga Marae – Kennedy Bay, where the experience changes completely.
Hāmuera brings his mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge, wisdom and understanding), lived connection to Harataunga and role as one of the marae’s kaikōrero to the heart of an experience grounded in whakapapa, whenua and collective participation.
The retreat begins with a pōhiri (traditional Māori welcome ceremony), before moving through whakapapa and kōrero (conversation and shared discussion), Te Hā breathwork through a Te Ao Māori lens, guided meditation and connection with the whenua.
Participants will also be guided through pure (spiritual cleansing and purification) in the moana, with intention to cleanse, release and reconnect.
Participants then come together in mahi tahi (working collectively) to prepare and share a hāngī (traditional Māori method of cooking food in an earth oven), contributing to marae life through kai (food), preparation and cleaning.
As evening settles over Harataunga, participants gather around the fire for kōrero and an exploration of maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar and traditional knowledge connected with the cycles of the moon, stars and natural world.
Rather than simply hearing about Te Ao Māori, participants are welcomed into an experience of marae life through whenua, water, food, fire, kōrero and collective participation.
For Māori, the retreat may offer an opportunity to strengthen or rediscover connections with whakapapa and kaupapa Māori (Māori values, knowledge and ways of being). For others, it offers an opportunity to participate respectfully in an environment they may never previously have experienced.
No prior knowledge is expected.
Returning to Wholeness
For Catherine, Returning to Wholeness creates spaces where people can step outside everyday demands and reconnect with themselves.
Previous retreat guests describe that experience:
“This experience helped bring my mind, body, and spirit back into alignment.”
Another participant said:
“By the time I got home, I felt so relaxed and refreshed and honestly, I already find myself wanting to return and stay longer.”
One retreat brings an internationally recognised teacher to the Coromandel; the other unfolds on ancestral whenua at Harataunga, grounded in the knowledge, relationships and living traditions already there.
Both are an invitation to step outside everyday life and reconnect with something harder to hear amongst the noise.
◾️If something in either of these experiences is calling to you, perhaps this is your invitation. Places are limited, with full retreat details and bookings available at www.catherineparrslight.com.
