TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Payment Details:

All prices are in NZD and include GST.

Health & Safety: 

At Pōhatu Farm, the health and safety of our guests is our top priority. We have implemented all reasonable measures to ensure that our hiking and biking tracks, vehicles, activity areas, and accommodation are as safe as possible.

Upon arrival, you will be required to attend a Health and Safety briefing. It is the responsibility of each guest to participate in this briefing and follow the safety guidelines outlined in both the briefing and our Health and Safety Policy.

 If you plan to hike or bike with us, you will be provided with a track map to guide you. Mobile phone reception is available along 95% of our hiking tracks, the only area where it is patchy is by the Whareama River, so if you need assistance while on your hike or bike please contact us at +64 21 47 5338. 

Please note that all visitors enter the property and take part in activities at their own risk. Pōhatu Farm, its employees, and any landowners whose property you may cross, accept no responsibility for any injuries, damages, losses, sickness, or expenses incurred during your visit. 

Remember that Pōhatu Farm is a working farm, so please leave all gates as you find them, don’t touch any fences in case they are electric, please give stock a wide berth (especially cows and calves) and stay on the marked tracks. 

While we make every effort to provide secure parking and comfortable accommodation, guests park their vehicles and bring personal items and luggage onto the farm at their own risk. Pōhatu Farm cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. 

For your comfort and safety, we recommend familiarising yourself with the items you should bring for your experience. For our Hike, click here. For Bikes, click here. For Tours, click here.

Hike:

Cancellation Policy:

As we are a small, intimate operation, cancellations have a significant impact on our ability to serve all our guests. For this reason, we adhere to a strict cancellation policy.

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to pohatufarm@gmail.com. 

  • 14 days or more before your booking: Full refund.

  • 13 days to 48 hours before your booking: 50% refund.

  • Less than 48 hours before your booking: No refund.

 If we need to cancel your booking due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a severe weather event, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer to reschedule your experience for another suitable date.

Please note, if a booking is rescheduled to a subsequent season, the price for that season will apply.

Retreats:

Cancellation Policy:

As our retreats are highly sought after, we require a 50% deposit to secure your booking. This is either 50% of an individual’s cost to attend an Open retreat or 50% of the total booking for a Private retreat. This needs to be made to secure your booking. If we have not received this within 48 hours, then your booking is void and your place will be offered to the next available individual or group.

All cancellations must be submitted in writing to pohatufarm@gmail.com. 

  • 14 days or more before your booking: Full refund.

  • 13 days to 48 hours before your booking: 50% refund.

  • Less than 48 hours before your booking: No refund.

Corporate Events:

For bookings made more than 3 months in advance a non refundable reservation deposit of $500.00 is required within 14 days of placing a booking to secure your chosen event date or earlier should another enquiry for the same date be received. If the deposit is not received within 14 days of placing a booking, the booking is deemed to have been abandoned.

For all bookings taking place within the next 3 months we will issue a non refundable invoice for 50% of the quoted event cost less any deposit already paid. This invoice is payable within 7 days of the invoice date. If payment is not received within 7 days the booking is deemed to have been abandoned.

A final invoice for the balance of the event quote plus any incidental costs, incurred on the event date, including bar tabs or additional services will be issued post your event and is payable within 7 days of receipt.

The venue fee includes tables, chairs, napkins, cutlery, crockery, glassware, the setting up (excluding table decorations), and clean-up of the venue.

We are a strictly no smoking venue.

Bikers:

Please refer to Cycling Tom's terms and conditions for details on their cancellation policy.

Sauna & Cold Plunge:

Reschedule/Cancellation Policy:

Public Sessions:

  • 12 hours before your booking: Full ability to reschedule and full refund.

  • Less than 12 hours before your booking: No rescheduling or refund.

Private Sessions:

  • 24 hours before your booking: Full ability to reschedule and full refund.

  • Less than 24 hours before your booking: No rescheduling or refund.

1. SAUNA RISKS & HEALTH

Sauna and cold-water immersion involve inherent risks, including dehydration, overheating, dizziness, fainting, burns, cold shock, hypothermia, slips and falls, changes in heart rate or blood pressure, and, in rare circumstances, serious injury or death.

You confirm that you are physically able to participate safely. If you have a medical condition, injury, are pregnant, take medication, or have any concern about your ability to tolerate heat or cold, please seek medical advice before participating.

Medical Conditions: Sauna and cold-water immersion may not be suitable for everyone. Please consult your doctor or healthcare professional before participating if you have any heart or cardiovascular condition, high or low blood pressure, circulation problems, diabetes, respiratory or neurological conditions, a history of fainting or seizures, Raynaud’s or significant cold sensitivity, reduced sensation/neuropathy, are pregnant, have recently had surgery or an injury, or take medication that may affect your response to heat or cold.

Do not participate if you are intoxicated, significantly dehydrated, acutely unwell or feverish.

Essential oils or other scented products may be used during sauna sessions or related Activities. These may not be suitable for individuals with allergies, sensitivities, or respiratory conditions. If you have any concerns, please notify the staff prior to participating.

2. SAUNA PARTICIPATION & SAFETY

This is a self-guided experience. You are responsible for monitoring your own response and staying within your limits.

  • Follow all safety instructions.

  • Leave the sauna or cold plunge immediately if you feel unwell, dizzy, faint, excessively hot or cold, or otherwise uncomfortable.

  • Enter and exit the cold plunge carefully and maintain controlled breathing.

  • Stay appropriately hydrated.

  • If new to sauna, start with 5–10 minutes. Regular users may build towards 10–20 minutes if comfortable. These are recommendations, not targets.

  • Never touch the sauna heater or hot stones.

  • Only use water on the sauna stones unless instructed otherwise.

  • Wear appropriate swimwear and footwear.

  • Always sit on a towel in the sauna.

  • Bring 2 towels and your own water bottle.

  • No alcohol, recreational drugs, smoking, vaping, glass, food or drinks in the sauna or plunge.

  • Remove jewellery and watches before entering the sauna.

3. OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT

The sauna and cold plunge are outdoors. Surfaces may be wet, uneven or slippery, and natural hazards such as weather, insects, rocks or mud may be present. Take reasonable care and wear appropriate footwear.

4. AGE & EMERGENCIES

Participants must be 16 years or older. Anyone under 18 requires parent/guardian consent.

If you become unwell or there is an emergency, notify the operator immediately. The operator may contact emergency services or seek medical assistance where reasonably necessary.

5. PERSONAL BELONGINGS

You are responsible for your personal belongings. Please leave valuables at home. The operator is not responsible for loss, theft or damage except where liability cannot legally be excluded or limited.

6. ASSUMPTION OF RISK

I understand that sauna and cold-water immersion involve inherent risks and voluntarily choose to participate. I agree to follow safety instructions and take responsibility for participating within my own limits.

To the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law, I accept the inherent risks associated with the Activities. Nothing in this waiver excludes or limits any rights or liabilities that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

Group Bookings: If I book on behalf of others, I confirm that each participant has been made aware of these Terms & Conditions and agrees to them before participating.For public sessions, you can reschedule or cancel your sauna booking up to 12 hours before your sauna time to receive a refund. There are no refunds for no shows.