The focus of these Women’s Writing Weekends is making time and space for you to write. Spend an enjoyable weekend with like-minded women interested in creative writing. Share your thoughts and writing, get feedback and make some time to focus on your creative expression.
We are pleased to confirm our Women’s Writing Weekend dates for 2026 with our experienced facilitator Hilary Star. Hilary Star has over a decade of experience in helping women find and nurture their creative voice.
Come to one Writing Weekend, two or all three! These weekends are very popular so please book early!
RETREAT #1 – WOMEN’S WRITING WEEKEND
17-19 April 2026
RETREAT #2 – WOMEN’S WRITING WEEKEND
3-5 July 2026
RETREAT #3 – WOMEN’S WRITING WEEKEND
16-18 October 2026
The weekends provide a chance to start, continue, or finish, some writing you’ve been working on for ages; or come and be inspired to write something that is on your heart and which wants to find its voice!
Our Women’s Writing Weekend has its own writers blog titled MANY PATHS, MANY VOICES where women who come to our writing weekends can share some of their work.
Women’ Writing Weekend Programme:
This years theme: Being Grounded
A moments inspiration: Drawing on Mary Oliver’s poetry,
“Do you think there is anything,” asked Mary Oliver “not attached by its unbreakable cord to everything else?”
Friday: Arrive and get settled into your room. The weekend commences with dinner at 6pm on the Friday night. Over dinner together on Friday evening we will discuss the weekend ahead and to find out what participants’ hopes are for writing this weekend.
On Saturday morning at 9.30am we meet together with Hilary for encouragement and guidance. This will be followed by spacious time for each to individually write.
Saturday lunch together at 1pm. After lunch we continue to individually write and reflect. Hilary will be available during this time.
Saturday afternoon at 5 pm we meet to share our writing, our reflections on the experience of writing. Afterwards we will share one of Te Wahi Ora’s delicious nutritious meals together. The evening is then your own to continue writing or rest.
Sunday morning we join for a 10am session to support our writing intentions and to answer any concerns or questions. This will be followed by spacious time for each to individually write.
Sunday lunch 1.00pm, then meet together again to share a meal.
After lunch is our final session together to read our writing and to reflect on the weekend. We close the weekend together around 2.30pm and head for home!
What you need to bring to your writing weekend: A journal or writing pad and pencils/pens but also a computer if you want.
Price for Women’s Writing Weekend (Residential):
The normal weekend room rates apply plus $60 each as a Koha to Hilary for her amazing facilitation of our Writing Weekends.
Places on these weekends do sell out so if you are interested in participating in one of these wonderful creative weekends please consider booking early.
Deposit
Once your booking is accepted a deposit of $75 is required.
The deposit needs to be paid into the Te Wahi Ora Trust A/c 12-3232-0135899-00 to secure your booking.
Please note the deposit is non-refundable if cancelled within the 7 day period before your booked session is due to start.
Dietary Requirements
When booking please advise us of any special dietary requirements you have.
Make a Booking
Please send an email to Te Wahi Ora Women’s Retreat to book a Writing Weekend or use the link below to our online booking form:
If email is your preferred form of contact please provide the below essential information we need before we can process your booking.
Please send the following details to tewahiorapiha@gmail.com
- The date of the 2026 Writing Weekend you would like to attend.
- Your first name and surname.
- Your contact phone number.
- Any special dietary requirements you have (Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Allergies etc).
- The time you anticipate arriving at Te Wahi Ora on the Friday.
