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Maitreya Meditation Centre is located at the top of the South Island of New Zealand in the magical Wakamarina Valley near the Marlborough Sounds.
We are a 15-minute drive from the village of Havelock, 45 minutes from the town of Blenheim and 1 hour from the city of Nelson. Ferries from the North Island arrive at Picton, one hour away.
To reach us by car, turn off State Highway 6 at the Trout Hotel, Canvastown, 9 km west of Havelock. The Meditation Centre is 7.6 km up the valley at 760-788 Wakamarina Road, just before the Pinedale Motorcamp.
Map
The nearest airport is Blenheim, a 40-minute drive from the centre. We can pick you up at Blenheim airport anytime between 10.30 and 17.00. The lowest cost and simplest option may be to book your international flight directly to Blenheim airport.
Also, there are buses from Blenheim and Nelson airports that will drop you at the Trout Hotel in Canvastown, where we can meet you.
The closest international airport is Wellington, which is a 20-minute flight from Blenheim. Auckland is an 80-minute flight from Blenheim, Christchurch a 40-minute flight from Blenheim. Alternatively, you can travel by bus and ferry, arriving at Picton and connecting to Canvastown by bus.
Were you to fly to Auckland in the North Island, it would cost approximately NZ$ 135 to travel overnight to the centre by bus and ferry.
Advance booking of internal flights can cost less than travelling by land. For more information please visit:
http://xtramsn.co.nz/travel
We enjoy a nurturing satsang-community lifestyle that is transformative, relaxed, flexible and supportive of individual needs.
All residents meet twice a day for satsang where we meditate together in silence to support one another in our shared goal of growing in love and awareness. Before we sit there is time for dancing and stretching. We begin the meditation with chanting. Maitreya is deeply connected to the centre and his enlightened energy has permeated the meditation hall for five years; this powerful energy is tangible during satsang.
All guests are asked to contribute one hour of working-meditation a day. Work is flexible depending on your skills, interests and the needs of the community. Meals are prepared by staff and guests and shared communally. We eat delicious and healthy organic vegan wholefood.
We offer a variety of active Osho meditations that are accompanied by music. Dynamic and Kundalini meditations are scheduled every day. Other meditations are available in accordance with interest and demand.
Visitors are welcome to use the hall for additional meditation, dance, yoga, etc. We provide a range of guided-meditation and music CDs, and a well stocked library of spiritual and other books for guest use.
The Wakamarina Valley is beautiful and secluded. We are blessed with a crystal-clear river for swimming in warmer weather or, in the cooler times, just watching the flow. There are attractive walking trails in the valley, in a nearby native forest reserve and throughout the world-famous Marlborough sounds.
The nearest big town for shopping is Blenheim, a 45-minute drive from the centre. Cafes, crafts and basics are available in our local village Havelock, a beautiful 15-minute drive. Havelock is the maritime gateway to the idyllic Pelorus Sound.
Yes. We have cars and bicycles available for hire.
Maitreya Meditation Centre offers a range of accommodation to suit individual needs and preferences. You can chose between an air-conditioned guest apartment, en-suite master bedroom, and double, twin-share or private rooms. All accommodation includes linen and heating.
During the summer we may use caravans for extra accommodation. You are also welcome to bring your own tent or van. To see accommodation prices please go to the meditation page. In addition, there is a campground nearby that provides basic accommodation.
Children are welcome at Maitreya Meditation Centre. The following discounts apply according to age:
0-24 months, free
2-5 years, 25% of adult
6-12 years, 50%
13-16 years, 75%
17 years, 100%
Community work and meditations are optional for those under 17. Children are welcome to attend satsang if they are able to remain still and quiet. We do not provide formal child-care facilities but visitors are often willing to play with kids and help out.
The nearby campsite is a popular destination for families during the summer months. Facilities include: sandpit, swings, ping-pong, a glow-worm tunnel, a great swimming hole, tyres for river rides, mini-golf and gold-panning.
The climate is temperate with lots of sunshine. The average high and low temperatures are:
Summer: 25c and 12c
Autumn and spring: 19c and 8c
Winter: 13c and 3c
In the winter there are frosts but never snow and we often enjoy beautiful sunny days. Spring and autumn bring pleasant daytime temperatures and cooler mornings and evenings. The spring receives the heaviest rainfall. With a maritime climate, NZ weather can change quickly. It is advisable to bring walking shoes, a waterproof jacket and warm clothes at all times of the year.
You are welcome to stay as long as you like. You can drop in for one meditation or you can stay forever. We always have visitors from around the globe staying for a few days, a few weeks or a few months. Many guests don't want to leave! You are welcome to extend your visit, though if a room is pre-booked we may have to relocate you.
Most international visitors require a visa for their stay in New Zealand. This can easily be extended for up to a year if you can provide evidence of sufficient funds to support your stay. For further information on NZ visas please visit: www.immigration.govt.nz.
Long-term visits are encouraged with the following discounts for prepayment:
Weekly 5%
28-day month 10%
3 months 15%
6 months 20%
12 months 25%
Prepayments are non-refundable and non-transferable. If your plans change, however, your prepayment can be credited for future use.
Yes. During the summer months we offer a program of workshops including emotional release, Reiki, art-therapy, tarot, relating and yoga.
Individual sessions such as rebirthing, reiki, flower essences, tarot, massage and other bodywork sessions are offered. Please contact MMC for more information, and visit the Satsang page for the dates of upcoming workshops and events.
Qualified therapists are welcome to share sessions with guests. Session fees are divided equally between the therapist and the centre.
Yes. We can support you in your own retreat while you are staying at our centre. We require all guests to attend the twice-daily satsang meditations. Other than this commitment, you are free to structure your time as you wish. Silence badges are available and we are respectful of those who do not wish to participate in social interaction.
Maitreya Meditation Centre is vegan and provides a healthy organic wholefood diet based on macrobiotic principles.
No animal, dairy products or junk food is consumed or welcome at MMC. Within this framework we are happy to support your individual dietary needs and preferences. We often cater to guests with wheat and gluten allergies.
You are welcome to fast during your stay here with the understanding that you are responsible for your physical well-being at all times.
Yes. New Zealand has a shortage of unskilled labour for vineyard and orchard work.
Various seasonal work can be found at most times of the year.
There are many vineyards within a 40-minute drive from our centre, and we can connect you with a local contractor who arranges work.
Maitreya Meditation Centre offers guests the opportunity to stay forever by prepaying eight years accommodation, food and satsang charges. This arrangement ensures that you will be taken care of for the rest of your life by the Centre.
Please contact us for more details.
The meditation centre was set up with donations and is now supported by income and donations from guests and others. Please contact us if you can help. Your donation allows us to help others by keeping our prices low.
To reserve Meditation Centre accommodation please email:
[email protected]
Call +64 3 574 2864
Fax +64 3 574 2865
We accept credit and debit cards, cash or NZ cheques. Payment can also be made by international bank transfer before arrival.
All donations and contributions are non-refundable.
Our rates include a 12.5% govt. sales tax.
At the time of writing, May 2009, one Euro buys about NZ$ 2.30. Today's rates for all currencies can be found at: http://www.oanda.com/
The daily contribution of NZ$60 includes twin-share accommodation and three vegan meals a day. You may want extra money for car hire, phone cards, workshops, sessions, email, etc.
Please add $25 for every satsang with Maitreya, or $20 each for 20+ satsangs if paid in advance. People under 26 pay 50% of satsang costs.
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For further information please call:
+64 3 574 2864
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