Comments on: Living at Mana Retreat

By: Nora

Nora — Sat, 28 Nov 2020 14:33:28 +0000

In reply to Kay.

Hi Kay,
Thank you for letting me – and everybody here – know. I have amended the text at the beginning of this article to alert readers that the program has changed, and of course, I am publishing your comment here.

I am so sorry that your experience at Mana wasn’t magical. The place has such a fond spot in my memory. I do remember the work being pretty intensive (at the time it was 25 hours/week), but the people and the magical property made the work enjoyable.
As to sexual harassment by guests….I’m floored. I’m sorry you experienced that.

By: Kay

Kay — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 22:24:52 +0000

Hi Nora, this is a beautifully written article and greatly influenced my decision to apply and woof at Mana. Unfortunately, as you mention to the most recent commenter, Mana has changed since your time there. I could list all the reasons but that’s not your responsibility to take that on just for writing this post. I’ll summarize that every woofer there during my time left early as we were overworked and understaffed, there is NO sexual harassment policy (at all), but I’m talking specifically for woofers who get harassed by guests. I’m
not expecting you to take this page down but please at least post my comment so others can read it before they agree to woof here. Cheers, Kay

By: Nora

Nora — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 10:14:23 +0000

In reply to Eleana.

Hi Eleana,
I’m told that the volunteer program has changed quite a bit since my time there, however when I volunteered, it was possible to participate in some workshops here and there, if the instructor was amenable to “drop ins” and if your volunteer work schedule allowed.
Also, I participated in a few workshops as a full-paying participant, for which I got time off from volunteering to do.
Enjoy! I still keep in touch with many of the staff at Mana and I hear they are dong amazing things.

By: Eleana

Eleana — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 07:19:08 +0000

Hi Nora!

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experiences! I cannot wait to apply and to be part of the community. I wonder if you were able to participate in some courses or workshop at MANA? I would like to take the opportunity to do that while volunteering!!

By: Nora

Nora — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 15:41:25 +0000

In reply to Anja Sophie.

Hi Anja,
I’m glad you like what you see! Sounds like you have a fantastic trip planned. You’ll have to check with the folks at Mana as to whether they can accommodate families into the volunteer program. I’m really not sure.
Happy travel planning!

By: Anja Sophie

Anja Sophie — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 17:52:05 +0000

Hi Nora,
Your article was so fantastic and that place seems to be the one I’m looking for. Next summer I plan to go to New Zealand with my husband and two sons. We are from Austria and we want to stay for about 8 or 9 month. For 1 or 2 month we are looking for such a ‘travel and work’ – place to save a little money and get to know other people. Do you think it’s also possible to go there togehter with the family?
Looking forward hearing from you,
Anja

By: Nora

Nora — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 20:29:21 +0000

Hi Ani,
Great questions!
1) Although NZ immigration requires that people have working visas in order to volunteer, this isn’t particularly enforced within NZ. So as long as you don’t tell NZ immigration that you’re there to volunteer when you enter the country (you simply say you’re going to travel around the country as a tourist), you won’t have a problem.
2) I can’t say there were any surprises to me. If anything, I was surprised at how varied and delightfully delicious the vegetarian cuisine was, as well as how beautiful the grounds are. Also, I knew the internet would be slow and only accessible in certain places….so it wasn’t a surprise, but with an online career, it was a frustration. This could well have improved by now…I don’t know.
3) I planned it 1-2 months in advance, I believe. But the farther ahead you can plan, the better; it’s a very popular place to volunteer, and so your first point of action should be to contact them to confirm their availability.
4) No problemo! I always felt very safe in NZ, even as a solo female traveler.
Hope this helps!

By: Nora Dunn

Nora Dunn — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 13:28:42 +0000

In reply to Nabila.

Hi Nabila,
Fabulous! I was just thinking of everybody at Mana Retreat and missing the place and people very much. Hopefully it works out that you can go!
I didn’t do any other work-exchanges in New Zealand, so I don’t have any other suggestions for you. However you can find gigs through the links I mention in this tutorial post: https://www.theprofessionalhobo.com/the-creative-guide-to-free-or-cheap-accommodation/

By: Nabila

Nabila — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 03:05:18 +0000

Finding this blog was the best thing that could’ve happened right now. Applying right now!! Do you mind sharing a couple of other places with names of them for work exchange in case mana retreat is still selective and I cannot go.

Thanks!!!

By: Nora Dunn

Nora Dunn — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 15:59:28 +0000

In reply to Aryanna.

Hi Aryanna,
You’ll have an awesome time! Not sure I have any specific words of wisdom – just enjoy! To get to Mana from Auckland, there’s a lovely ferry to Coromandel. Otherwise getting around NZ is best done by bus – it’s cheap and cheerful! Have fun. 🙂