Retreats
Next Retreat: 25 & 26 April 2026 (ANZAC Weekend)
At Pōhatu Farm we are passionate about reviving the connection with rural life.
Spend a morning with us among wide-open spaces and breathtaking views - the perfect way to unwind and reconnect with the land, the sea, and yourself.
Our Reconnection Wellness Retreats
At Pōhatu Farm, our Reconnection Retreats, designed in collaboration with Michelle Meredith Health, offer a break from the pace, pressure, and predictability of everyday life, allowing you to reset and recharge in a deeply meaningful way.
Set at Riversdale Beach, our retreats provide the perfect environment for reflection, renewal, and reconnection. Each activity is thoughtfully designed to nurture your well-being, ensuring a truly transformative experience.
Our next round of retreats take place over half a day and include:
A guided sunrise coastal farm walk
Nervous system reset stretch & grounding workshop
Sea immersion therapy and wood-fired sauna experience
Wood-fired sauna and ocean cold plunge experience
Intention and vision setting workshop
A gourmet Farm-to-Table menu, with a focus on local produce and producers
Retreat Pricing + ITINERARY
Over ANZAC Weekend, we are offering half-day retreats.
Our morning will weave together movement, heat therapy, cold immersion, nourishing food, and intentional vision setting to support a deeper reconnection with the land, the sea, and yourself.
Investment: $250 per person
6:30am – Meet at the Orui Station
We will guide you to our retreat location (a short five minute drive)
6:45am – Welcome & walk briefing
7:00am – Guided coastal sunrise walk
Walking together in silence or soft conversation
Take your time to stop for a light snack
9:00am – Return from your walk
Breakfast & refreshments
9:30am – Nervous system relaxation & stretch
Gentle movement and stress regulation workshop focusing on vagus nerve activation
10:30am – Sauna & cold plunge
11:30pm – Lunch
12:15pm – Intention setting workshop & journaling
1:00pm – Closing
MEET YOUR HOSTS
Michelle – Clinical Nutritionist & Retreat Co-Host
Hi, I’m Michelle! I live at Riversdale Beach with my husband, daughter, and fur baby Nala.
I’m a registered clinical nutritionist and a coach focused on nervous system healing and hormone health. I'm passionate about helping women heal from burnout, hormonal imbalances, and emotional exhaustion - so they can come home to themselves.
I blend science and soul—integrating functional nutrition, lifestyle support, nervous system regulation, feminine energetics, breathwork, and subconscious healing (hypnosis, NLP, manifestation tools).
My approach is holistic, intuitive, and rooted in lived experience, deep compassion, and the belief that when a woman feels safe and nourished in her body, every area of her life begins to thrive.
Julia – Retreat Co-Host
Welcome! I’m Julia, owner of Pōhatu Farm and Mum of four, based at beautiful Riversdale Beach.
After careers in advertising, marketing, and wealth management in Hong Kong and Melbourne, my husband Tom and I returned to his family sheep and beef farm to pursue a life more rooted in nature and community.
In December 2024, we launched our agritourism venture at Pōhatu Farm. We now feel incredibly privileged to host guests seeking to reconnect with the land, rural life, and themselves.
Drawing on my experience in advertising, marketing, and event coordination, I love working with Michelle to bring like-minded people together to pause, reflect, and recharge in this truly special setting.
FAQs
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Our retreats take place at Riversdale Beach - 45 minutes from Masterton, and two hours from Wellington or Palmerston North airports.
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The retreats are co-hosted by Julia (owner of Pōhatu Farm) and Michelle (a clinical nutritionist focused on nervous system and hormone health). They also bring in external local partners to facilitate sessions and experiences.
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Generous farm-to-table meals and nourishing snacks prepared for you throughout the morning
Guided sunrise coastal farm walk
Nervous system reset stretch & grounding workshop
Sauna & ocean cold plunge experience
Intention & vision setting workshop
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6:30am – Meet at the Orui Station locked gate
We will guide you to our retreat location (a short five minute drive)
6:45am – Welcome & walk briefing
7:00am – Guided coastal sunrise walk
Walking together in silence or soft conversation
Take your time to stop for a light snack
9:00am – Return from your walk
Breakfast & refreshments
9:30am – Nervous system relaxation & stretch
Gentle movement and stress regulation workshop focusing on vagus nerve activation
10:30am – Sauna & cold plunge
11:30pm – Lunch
12:15pm – Intention setting workshop & journaling
1:00pm – Closing
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Please come prepared for an early start and changing conditions and we suggest you bring:
Walking clothes
Comfortable walking shoes
Water bottle
Warm jumper or layers
Sandals/jandals
Swimming togs
2x Towels
Spare change of clothes for after your sauna
Optional but recommended:
Hat
A small backpack for the walk
We will have sunscreen, insect repellent and hand sanitiser available
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Work or anything that keeps you tethered you to stress.
Expectations - come with an open mind and let the retreat unfold naturally.
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Riversdale Beach has a moderate climate throughout the year, but being by the coast can cause some chilly winds!
In April you can expect:
Mild, pleasant spring days with highs nearing 18 °C
Cooler evenings and mornings, averaging around 13 °C
Some wind along the coastline - please bring clothing layers
Thank you for your interest in joining us on a Pōhatu Farm Reconnection Retreat, we’re delighted you’re considering a retreat with us.
Please complete the form to help us tailor your experience. The information you provide ensures we can create a retreat that aligns with your needs and intentions.