Service Work and Volunteer Opportunities

We have openings for a Retreat Manager, Land Manager, Kitchen/Cook Manager and a Building Maintenance Volunteer.

Descriptions of each position follow.

Retreat Manager and Land Manager

We are looking for a Retreat Manager and Land Manager to work and serve at our beautiful and flourishing Wangapeka Retreat Centre. Both positions are paid part time, fixed term live-in positions and are service roles and lifestyle choices to help deepen the spiritual practices and aspirations you have in your own life.

Our current wonderful caretakers Amber and Patrick are due to leave the Centre in November for pastures new. Whilst it’s not quite time yet to bid them a fond farewell (that’s coming soon…!), the Board of Trustees are now beginning the recruitment process for their replacements.

Could this be you?

We are looking for applicants who have knowledge and experience of the Wangapeka Study and Retreat centre and a strong commitment to the aims and objectives of the Wangapeka Educational Trust to come and live full time at the centre. Both paid roles provide the opportunity to give service to the dharma, teachers and the Wangapeka Centre as well as the ability to attend teachings and become a member of a supportive spiritual community.

Given the terrain of the Property, a reasonable level of fitness is needed. Exceptional organisational skills and an ability to pitch in where ever needed and work well alone and in a team environment are essential. Both roles are responsible for supporting teachers, retreats, cooks and visitors to the Centre.

Applicants for the Office position ideally will be familiar with office administration procedures, kitchen management, housekeeping and health and safety requirements, have good people skills and have experience with Word, Excel, and doing PAYE.

Applicants for the Land Manager position ideally will have highly practical skills including chainsaw and tractor experience, land management and general building maintenance experience. They will be familiar with health and safety issues.

Full induction and training is given for both positions.

For full details of the positions and Job description, please email Louise Petzold at louise.petzold01@gmail.com.

Applications close by 20th September 2020.

Kitchen Manager and Building Maintenance Long term volunteers needed at the centre

The Centre is flourishing with retreats booked throughout the year, and building projects and improvements planned. We currently have two spaces for long term volunteers to come and join the community to practice, live and work at the Centre and support our Caretakers. It’s a wonderful opportunity to develop spiritual practice and contribute to the wellbeing of many beings.

Our beautiful Retreat Centre has been grown from numerous seeds of generous offerings of many beings over many years.  Volunteering is an act of dana and this work of service keeps our Centre humming, and gives an opportunity for individuals to explore the teachings that are offered at Wangapeka.

We are looking for a Kitchen Cook/Manager and a Building Maintenance volunteer. Both caretakers and volunteers work together on projects at times, and to prepare the Centre before retreats.

Volunteers are offered food and accommodation in return for their service of a minimum of half a day’s work.  In addition, they have the special opportunity to attend nearly all of the teachings offered during the retreats.

Volunteers need to have a reasonable level of fitness, be proactive in taking on tasks, independent and be socially adept at fitting in with a small community. We are only able to have long term volunteers at the Centre who are New Zealand Residents of Citizens, or hold an appropriate immigration work visa.

For more information or to discuss options, please email Kath Mitchell at
mitchell.kath@gmail.com