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 sea-love through lived rituals, expert wisdom, and the healing power of nature.
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Day One
Friday 13th February- 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
6:00pm | Nourish
8:00pm | Cacao & Connect
Arrive and familiarise yourself with the magical Arete retreat spaces.
A wholesome group dinner to begin our journey.
A sacred opening ceremony under the stars. Bring your journal as we contemplate "What part of me has been asking for tenderness?"
Day Two
Saturday 14th February - 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 and invitation to be held by nature, by community, and by yourself as you reconnect with what replenishes you most deeply.
7:00am | Morning Ritual
8:00am | Face & Soul
10:00am | Love your gut
1:30pm | Time for you
6:30pm | Dinner
Evening | Stillness
An optional river plunge (plush white robes provided) or a guided nature walk through the Tararua landscape.
Breakfast followed by a workshop creating bespoke facial oils and learning a lymphatic drainage facial massage.
A practical session making 'no nasties' treats (gummies and chocolate), followed by quiet reflection and guided journalling.
Dedicated to simply be. Read in your whare, explore the trains, or enjoy a pre-booked treatment or holistic health coaching session.
Saturday evening in 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.
Close the day with a restorative meditation.
Day Three
Sunday 15th February - Inner light & integration
Our final day is about anchoring what you've experienced, turning moments of insight into something you can carry forward.
7:00am | Morning Nature
9:00am | The Science of Sleep
2:00pm | Closing Circle
A final opportunity for a river plunge or a peaceful morning walk.
An enlightening session with guest speaker Sally Duxfield. Mastering Overwhelm, neuroscience based tools for controlling stress and reducing overwhelm, specifically for women,
A sacred ritual to share insight before we depart at 3:00pm.
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.
Tara O'Malley
Tara is an autoimmune and mental 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's 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 leaved with renewed energy, clarity and momentum.
Tara is the co-founder of the Aotearoa Mental Health Collective, Metabolic Nutrition Coach of the Year 2025, and someone is who passionate about reminding our clever bodies how to heal themselves.
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.
Book 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.
