13 - 15 February | Starting at $1299Self Love Retreat
Disconnect to find connection
What to Expect
We invite you to step away from the traditional commercial rush of Valentine’s weekend and join us for an intimate, full-immersion retreat at Arete. This is a space designed for women who want to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and be held in a supportive, nurturing environment.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Tararua Ranges, we will explore self-love through lived rituals, expert wisdom, and the healing power of nature.
Throughout the weekend, "Self-Love Rituals" are woven into every moment. From the warmth of a Cacao & Connect ceremony under the stars to restorative evening meditations, every activity is an invitation to treat yourself with the tenderness you deserve.
❋ Self Love Rituals
We are thrilled to be joined by retreat owner and guest speaker Sally Duxfield. Sally will share her incredible research on neuroscience, sleep, and women’s wellbeing, providing you with practical, research-led tools to take home.
❋ Wisdom & Wellbeing
Experience the "simple elegance" of Arete. Stay in a private or shared Whare featuring king-single beds, luxurious linens, and cosy underfloor heating. It is a carbon-neutral experience that allows you to live in harmony with the native surroundings.
❋ The Space
Reconnect with your body and mind as you escape the noise of everyday life.
Day OneFriday 13th Feb - Arrive & Meet
As everyone arrives, we take time to settle in, get comfortable, and begin connecting with those around us. The journey starts here.
4.00pm | Settle
Arrive and familiarise yourself with the magical Arete retreat spaces.
6.00pm | Nourish
A wholesome group dinner to begin our journey.
8.00pm | Cacao & Connect
A sacred opening ceremony under the stars. Bring your journal as we contemplate: “What part of me has been asking for tenderness?”
Day TwoSaturday 14th Feb - Rituals of restoration
Saturday is a day devoted entirely to restoration.
This is where time loosens its grip and you are invited to move at the pace of your body, not the clock. A day of gentle rituals, creativity, nourishment, and spaciousness unfolds; offering you permission to soften, to listen inward, and to receive. There is nothing to fix, achieve, or prove. Simply an invitation to be held by nature, by community, and by yourself, as you reconnect with what replenishes you most deeply.
An optional river plunge (plush white robes provided) or a guided nature walk through the Tararua landscape.
7.00am | Morning Ritual
Breakfast, followed by a workshop creating bespoke facial oils and learning a lymphatic drainage facial massage.
8:00am | Face & Soul
A practical session making “no-nasties” treats (gummies and chocolate), followed by quiet reflection and guided journaling.
10.00am | Love your gut
Dedicated to simply be. Read in your whare, explore the trails, or enjoy a pre-booked treatment or holistic health coaching session.
1.30pm | Time for you
Saturday evening is an invitation to gather, share a nourishing meal, and let the day gently settle; a time to be fed in every sense of the word.
6:30pm | Dinner
Close the day with a restorative meditation.
Evening | Stillness
Day ThreeSunday 15th Feb - Inner light & integration
Our final day is about anchoring what you’ve experienced, turning moments of insight into something you can carry forward.
An enlightening session with guest speaker Sally Duxfield. Mastering Overwhelm, neuroscience based tools for controlling stress and reducing overwhelm, specifically for women.7:00am | Morning Nature
A final opportunity for a river plunge or a peaceful morning walk.
9:00am | The Science of Sleep
A sacred ritual to share insights before we depart at 3:00pm.2:00pm | Closing Circle
Nourishment is fully taken care of, with all meals included. Although exact meal times and some session timings are not specified here, these will be shared on the day so we can move together with ease and intention.
Meet Your Hosts
Rosenda Upton
Rosenda Upton is a health and mental health coach, facilitator, and retreat host who supports busy women -often those caring for everyone else, to slow down, restore, and reconnect with themselves.
Grounded in Lifestyle Medicine, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and evidence based behaviour change, Rosenda blends science and ancient wisdom with deep compassion and presence. Through workshops, group programs, and retreat experiences, she supports people to reconnect with their values, listen to their bodies, and make sustainable changes that honour who they truly are, not who the world has told them they should be.
Across her work, Rosenda is known for holding calm, safe, and deeply supportive spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to live and lead from authenticity. She is the founder of Cultivate You and the 2025 recipient of Mental Health Coach of the Year, and is on a mission to prevent the number one regret of the dying, not living a life true to oneself.
Tara O’Malley
Tara is a health coach, facilitator, and retreat host who creates spaces where people can slow down, think clearly, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Known for her warm, grounded presence, Tara blends practical wellbeing education with reflection, conversation, and connection. Whether she is guiding women through self-care and gut health or supporting coaches to clarify their goals and direction, her work is centred on making big ideas feel simple, achievable, and human.
Across retreats and workshops, Tara is recognised for creating calm, safe environments where people feel supported to share openly, reflect deeply, and leave with renewed energy, clarity, and momentum.
Sally Duxfield - Guest Speaker
Sally is a purpose driven leader, speaker, and facilitator who designs transformative experiences that inspire lasting change. Her work equips people with science based tools to live with greater clarity, purpose, wellbeing, and meaningful service to others.
With over 30 years in leadership development, Sally’s journey includes her early years in the New Zealand Defence Force, founding a leadership consultancy, and creating immersive learning environments through Arete Retreat and Makahika Outdoor Pursuit Centre, which she co owns with her husband John, a former RNZAF pilot and senior military officer.
Fascinated by neuroscience and the role environment plays in learning and performance, Sally is known for creating dynamic, engaging experiences that move beyond traditional classrooms. Through speaking, masterclasses, and retreat experiences, she inspires powerful shifts in mindset, behaviour, and performance, supporting people to lead and live with authentic purpose.
Options for your stay
-
Book early and reserve your very own private whare. Arete whare feature king single beds with luxurious linens, elegant finishing touches and places to sit and contemplate, making your stay both magical and comfortable.
Internal heating, solar-powered lighting, and clear roll-down sides allow you to view the spectacular native bush surroundings, native birds and the occasional wandering stag.
-
With space for two, each twin-share whare is furnished with two king single beds, luxurious linens, feather down duvets and plush bathrobes.
Internal heating, solar-powered lighting, and clear roll-down sides allow you to view the spectacular native bush surroundings, native birds and the occasional wandering stag.
You can book with a friend, or make a new one. Please let us know upon booking if you are booking with a friend to ensure we pair you together.
-
Intuitive Energy Work with Donna McMillan
1:1 60 minute Reiki Session | $65
Create space to tune into your inner whispers with a gentle, one-on-one Energy Work session facilitated by Donna, a Level 3a Reiki practitioner.
This deeply nurturing experience is designed to quiet the outside noise and support your body and nervous system to soften and settle. Through intentional energy channelling, Donna supports the release of stuck emotions, tension, and limiting beliefs.
This is a beautiful opportunity to realign heart and body, offering you permission to simply be present, grounded, and reconnected to your authentic self.
Holistic Health Coaching: 2 × 45 Minute Sessions | $100
Take your 2026 goals and intentions to another level with two 45-minute private 1:1 coaching sessions with either Rosenda Upton or Tara O’Malley.
This is a focused, personalised space to gain clarity, direction, and momentum.
Normally valued at $200+, this one-time exclusive offer is available to retreat guests for $100.
You’ll receive:
One coaching session during the retreat, and
One follow-up session four weeks later, providing continued encouragement, integration, and support as you step forward into 2026.