Kāpiti Coast · Aotearoa

Silent retreat in New Zealand

The Recovery Pod is a single room in native bush in rural Kāpiti, about ten minutes from Waikanae and an hour north of Wellington. There is one guest at a time, no one else on site, and nothing asked of you. If you are looking for a silent retreat in New Zealand without a group, a programme, or a schedule, this is the simplest version of it. It works as a digital detox too — there is no Wi-Fi, and most guests leave their phone in the car.

What silence looks like here

There is no host to greet you, no shared lounge, no check-in conversation. Meals are prepared with organic and locally sourced ingredients and left in an on-site drop box, so the door only opens when you choose to open it. Blackout blinds let you sleep at any hour of the day. The only sound is the stream and the birds.

Who comes on a silent stay

Most guests arrive worn thin — burnt out at work, in the middle of a separation, grieving, or simply out of quiet at home. You do not need a meditation practice, and there is no right way to spend the time. People sleep, bathe on the deck, sit in the hammock, write, or do nothing at all.

Ways to stay