This piece of Te Kawerau a Maki land, purchased by a generation of Holts when the road along the foreshore was being planned, was then the last section on the road. Recently, we discovered the land to be in what is historically known as a place of sacred healing.

Co-founder of Te Wahi Ora, Wynsome Diprose, chose the name Te Wahi Ora to honour the land's history and to retain the awareness of our continued need for sacred healing. Read more about the Te Wahi Ora Name

In the late 80s and early 90s before Wynsome's death in 1993, Wynsome and I were increasingly aware of women's oppression collectively and individually, past and present. We dreamed of ways women could discover more of their unexplored potential. We began a Women's Retreat Centre at Piha, Wynsome offering her music and creativity and I psychotherapy, spirituality and hospitality.

At the same time, worldwide, thousands of women began leaving the patriarchal religions looking for safe places to explore their own natural spiritual awareness and wisdom. This phenomenon has only just begun to be researched, but we realised then we had been pioneering a place and a style of being that we are happy to offer to women searching for their own place and path in the world.

Similar venture in India begun and supported with help from Te Wahi Ora.

'SAMYAKSHA' Sewing Centre where the ladies are trained

Over the years many women have contributed generously with their time, talents and money, to bring Te Wahi Ora into being.

We are committed to living simply and carefully, without a salary, in order to keep costs down and enable women to return again and again as their path unfolds and develops.

Two similar ventures in India (Narasaraopet for women and Secunduabad for girls) have begun with, and still need assistance from Te Wahi Ora. These expressions of sisterhood, as well as other issues of justice in our world, eg Ethiopia, are all concerns at Te Wahi Ora.

We began as a reaction to patriarchal domination but now we are offering an alternative way for women to live, develop their spiritual awareness and plan for their future.

We are keen for women to return to Te Wahi Ora year after year as their increasing strength and spiritual awareness becomes a vital part of Te Wahi Ora's gift to others.