This teaching room is beautifully crafted and has been used for a wide variety of teaching for over 20 years. It has a wooden parquet floor and a pot belly stove to keep away winter chills. Set amongst beautiful mature trees it is has a charming view looking down the Wangapeka valley.
The original building at Wangapeka, the Main Hall serves as the heart of community life with its combined living and dining room, library, and welcoming wood burner. Tea, coffee, and snacks are freely available here throughout your stay. Whether you choose to relax in the cosy interior or step out onto the porch to enjoy the expansive views, this space invites connection and contemplation. The hall also houses the kitchen, bathroom facilities, and laundry for your convenience.
New Zealand’s first pagoda (stupa) was built here in 1981 by the Burmese monk U Thila Wunta. He modelled it after the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon (Yangon). It is beautifully maintained and the Burmese community in Nelson donated the tile work surrounding it.
Yes it has an octagonal shape. This purpose built wooden structure has big windows and carpeted floor. It is used for teaching smaller groups, bodywork and meditating as well. It is a handy distance away from the main hall.
There are eight single rooms in the accommodation block that is adjacent to the main hall. The rooms are compact and have a comfortable single bed and electric heating.
There are three rooms in the lower accommodation block, which is a short walk from the Main Hall. The rooms have two beds, with the option of two more beds being available as bunk beds (handy for families). These rooms have electric heating.
We a number of self contained retreat cabins which are available year round for personal retreats. Whether you want to rest, meditate, write your memoirs or just enjoy sunrises and birdsong, consider coming to Wangapeka when you want time away.
All retreat cabins offer total privacy and stunning views. Facilities are basic but comfortable, and offer a genuine retreat experience in nature. Fall asleep with just the sound of the wind and the owls.
Our volunteer accommodation. TODO: Write blurb