COVID-19 Update: September 2022
On September 12th the government lifted most COVID restrictions. There is no longer any requirement to be vaccinated. One does not need a negative COVID test before coming to the Centre. And there is no requirement to wear a mask at the Centre.
As of September 26th the government notes – “In short, we now move on to a simple 2 requirements system of masks in healthcare settings and 7 days isolation for positive cases only”
That all said — COVID remains part of our lives. So we ask retreat participants to come prepared.
- Please do not come to the Centre if you have COVID-19.
- People testing positive at the Centre will need to self-isolate for 7 days.
- Please come prepared with mask(s) and 2 to 3 RATs.
More detail here – Link: Guidance for Managing COVID at Wangapeka Centre
COVID-19 Update: June 2022
Kia ora koutou,
Current situation in New Zealand:
Currently all of New Zealand is at Orange Traffic Light settings. See the NZ Government website for more details: https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/
The Ministry of Health website has the latest updates showing confirmed cases and the latest information https://www.health.govt.nz/
The Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre:
Retreats
Retreats are continuing at the current Orange setting. A new document: Guidance for Managing COVID at Wangapeka Centre, allows retreats to operate with specific protocols. Details are available in the document accessible from the link above.
Vaccine Passes are no longer required, and there is a protocol of testing using Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) at the beginning of the retreat to help ensure:
- People don’t come to the Centre if they have COVID-19.
- People already at the Centre leave if they test positive.
- Participants enact their Getaway Plan if they become unwell and test positive during a retreat. To facilitate this, it is recommended that all participants bring 2 or 3 RATs with them on retreat.
It will not be necessary to wear masks or practice social distancing during the retreat.
Visitors:
- Visitors will not be permitted while a retreat is on, unless essential like meter reader, TDC staff, etc.
- Outside of retreat time, visits are only by arrangement with the caretakers.
COVID-19 Update: 06 April 2022
Kia ora koutou,
Current situation in New Zealand:
Currently all of New Zealand is at Red Traffic Light settings. See the NZ Government website for more details: https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/
The Ministry of Health website has the latest updates showing confirmed cases and the latest information https://www.health.govt.nz/
The Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre:
Retreats
Retreats are continuing at the current Red setting. A revised COVID-19 management plan allows retreats to operate with specific protocols. Details are available in the document accessible from the link above.
The main change from December last year is that Vaccine Passes are no longer required. Instead there will be protocol of testing using Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) at the beginning of the retreat to help ensure:
- People don’t come to the Centre if they have COVID-19.
- People already at the Centre leave if they test positive.
- Participants enact their Getaway Plan if they become unwell and test positive during a retreat. To facilitate this, it is recommended that all participants bring 2 or 3 RATs with them on retreat.
It will not be necessary to wear masks or practice social distancing during the retreat.
Visitors:
- Visitors will not be permitted while a retreat is on, unless essential like meter reader, TDC staff, etc.
- Outside of retreat time, visits are only by arrangement with the caretakers.
COVID-19 Update: 22 December 2021
Kia ora koutou,
Current situation in New Zealand:
New Zealand has now moved from the Alert Level system to the Traffic Light (COVID-19 Protection Framework) system. Currently all of New Zealand is at either Red and Orange settings.
See the NZ Government website for more details: https://covid19.govt.nz/traffic-lights/
The Ministry of Health website has the latest updates showing confirmed cases and the latest information https://www.health.govt.nz/
The Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre:
Retreats
Retreats are going ahead at the Orange setting. We have a revised COVID-19 management plan that will allow retreats to operate, but with specific protocols. Details are available in the documents accessible from the link above.
- Only people with a Vaccine Pass will be able to attend group retreats.
- Also it is about making sure people don’t come to the Centre if they could have COVID-19.
- The other is a commitment by participants to self-isolate if they become unwell during a retreat.
It will not be necessary to wear masks or practice social distancing during the retreat. The same basic protocols will apply at the Green setting too.
Visitors:
- Visitors will not be permitted while a retreat is on, because the retreat participants will be treated like a bubble.
- Outside of retreat time, visits are only by arrangement with the caretakers.
COVID-19 Update 14 October 2021
Click here to access our COVID-19 Management Plan Documents
Kia ora koutou,
Current situation in New Zealand:
See the NZ Government website for details: https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/
The Ministry of Health website has the latest updates showing confirmed cases and the latest information https://www.health.govt.nz/
The Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre:
Retreats
Retreats are going ahead. We have a revised COVID-19 management plan that will allow retreats to operate, but with a couple of specific protocols.
- One is about making sure people don’t come to the Centre if they could have COVID-19.
- The other is a commitment by participants to self-isolate if they become unwell during a retreat.
It will not be necessary to wear masks or practice social distancing during the retreat. The same basic protocols will apply in level 1 too.
Visitors:
- Visitors will not be permitted while a retreat is on, because the retreat participants will be treated like a bubble.
- Outside of retreat time, visits are only by arrangement with the caretakers.
COVID-19 Update 17 September 2021
Kia ora koutou,
Current situation in New Zealand:
As of midnight on 7 September New Zealand north and south of Auckland moved to level 2 COVID-19 response, while Auckland remained at Level 4. See the NZ Government website for more details: https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/
The Ministry of Health website has the latest updates showing confirmed cases and the latest information https://www.health.govt.nz/
The Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre:
Retreats
Retreats are going ahead. We are in the process of finalising a revised COVID-19 management plan that will allow retreats to operate, but with a couple of specific protocols.
- One is about making sure people don’t come to the Centre if they could have COVID-19.
- The other is a commitment by participants to self-isolate if they become unwell during a retreat.
It will not be necessary to wear masks or practice social distancing during the retreat. The same basic protocols will apply in level 1 too.
Visitors:
- Visitors will not be permitted while a retreat is on, because the retreat participants will be treated like a bubble.
- Outside of retreat time, visits are only by arrangement with the caretakers.
The revised management plan will be in the Documents folder soon.
COVID-19 Update 2 September 2021
Kia ora koutou,
Current situation in New Zealand:
As of midnight on 31 August New Zealand south of Auckland moved to level 3 COVID-19 response, while Auckland and Northland remain at Level 4. See the NZ Government website for more details: https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/
The Ministry of Health website has the latest updates showing confirmed cases and the latest information https://www.health.govt.nz/
Wangapeka Visitors and Course Participants:
In line with Government directives, the Wangapeka Centre is closed to all visitors, and courses are postponed or cancelled until this situation changes.
Please do not visit the centre at all during this time.
There will be a community of residents, in self-isolation, caring for the centre during this Level-3 response.
COVID-19 Update 22 August 2021
Kia ora koutou,
Current situation in New Zealand:
As of midnight on 17 August all of New Zealand moved to level 4 COVID-19 response, which was initially for 3 days and then extended to 7 days for all NZ. See the NZ Government website for more details: https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/
The Ministry of Health website has the latest updates showing confirmed cases and the latest information https://www.health.govt.nz/
Wangapeka Visitors and Course Participants:
In line with Government directives, the Wangapeka Centre is closed to all visitors, and courses are postponed or cancelled until this situation changes.
Please do not visit the centre at all during this time.
There will be a community of residents, in self-isolation, caring for the centre during this Level-4 response.
Below are notices from last year
Covid-19 WET Update 12 August 2020
Kia ora koutou,
We have now moved to level 2 covid–19 response, for all of NZ except for Auckland at level 3.
The Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre remains open during level two, with the Government and WET safety protocols in place. We will need to close immediately if the alert level goes up to level three.
Please contact the office caretaker for more information: info@wangapeka.org
Or contact your course manager directly.
We appreciate your patience and kindness.
May all beings be well and happy, may all beings be free.
Covid-19 WET Update 18 June
Update for Covid-19 Level 1
Kia ora koutou
We are so glad to now have the centre running retreats again!
Here is an outline of where the centre sits in response to the Covid-19 Level 1 restrictions:
1. We no longer have a limit of 10 people per retreat, with the Government restrictions on gathering size being lifted.
2. There is no longer a requirement for social distancing.
3. Course Managers will continue to ask the questions of course participants before they come to the centre (please see the Covid-19 risk response on our website)
4. We will continue a high standard of hygiene at the centre with our cleaning protocols and encourage participants/visitors to follow the personal hygiene advice also.
5. As part of registration we have good contact tracing in place for course participants and also have a register for visitors to fill out on arrival.
Thank you for your understanding and patience throughout the time of Lockdown and Level 2 restrictions.
The Wangapeka Board of Trustees.
Covid-19 WET Update May 20th
Kia ora whanau
We are happy to announce that the Wangapeka Centre will open again, with our first retreat starting 5th–12th of June
The Wisdom of Angelic Archetypes: A Meditation Retreat with Mira Riddiford
The Wangapeka Centre is also taking bookings for solo retreats again.
Visitors to the Centre
We are following the Level 2 health and safety protocols closely. All course participants will be advised of these protocols by their course manager.
Please contact the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre if you intend to visit the centre. Amber: info@wangapeka.org 03 522 4221
The following two retreats have been postponed
Growing Joy – Cultivating Joyful Awareness—with Jaime and Juliana. This is now an online weekend retreat (Dates and contact details here)
and
Life as it Is—The Family retreat with Louise, Karen and Glenn, 17 -19 July, https://wangapeka.org/event/life-as-it-is-a-family-friendly-community-retreat/
Update – May 14, 2020
Board of Trustees Covid–19 Update: Wangapeka Centre re-opening on hold.
Kia ora Wangapeka whanau
We have put our plan to re-open on hold, as we work through the Government’s level 2 Covid-19 guidelines, and closely attend to these health and safety concerns.
Sorry to bring this news to you. We are sure you understand that we are all in unknown territory and trying to do the best we can for our communities and the country. We are continuing to review our situation alongside the changes and advice emerging from the Government.
Jaime and Juliana’s retreat Growing Joy – Cultivating Joyful Awareness planned for the re-opening 20–24th May will be postponed. Keep your eye on the website for more details about this course.
We’ll keep you updated about new opening dates at the centre. In the meantime, please contact Amber, the office caretaker, with any questions. info@wangapeka.org
Thanks for your patience and understanding.
Wishing all beings to be well and happy, wishing all beings to be free.
With Metta
The Board of Trustees.
May all beings be well and happy, may all beings be free!
Update – May 12, 2020 —
We are happy to announce that we will reopen with our first retreat beginning on the 20th of May: Growing Joy – Cultivating Joyful Awareness with Jaime and Juliana.
All retreats will be run with care observing level 2 protocols from the Government and the WET Covid–19 health and safety plan.
“The BOT advises that if, during a retreat, the level rises again to Level 3 or higher, then the retreat must stop and all participants go home.
Update – April 8, 2020 — The BOT advises that future retreats can only go ahead if the National alert is at Level 2, with the Level 2 health and safety protocols in place at the Centre.
If, during a retreat, the level rises again to Level 3 or higher, then the retreat must stop and all participants go home.
Update – March 24, 2020 — Kia ora Wangapeka whanau
We hope you are all safe and well. Here’s our update on Covid—19 and how this is affecting our treasured Wangapeka Community and Centre.
Current situation in New Zealand:
As of Monday 23rd March the Government has raised the nationwide response to Level 3. With the response moving to Level 4 on Wednesday 25th at 11.59pm See the NZ Government website for more details: https://covid19.govt.nz/government-actions/covid-19-alert-system/
The Ministry of Health website has the latest updates showing confirmed cases and the latest information https://www.health.govt.nz/
Wangapeka Visitors and Course Participants:
In line with Government directives, the Wangapeka Centre will be closed to all visitors and courses, until this situation changes.
Please do not visit the centre at all during this time.
There will be a community of stable residents, in self-isolation, caring for the centre during this Level-4 response.
The next retreat scheduled: Energy Rides the Winds, with Bonni Ross, April 10th to May 8th will be run off-site for anyone who has supportive circumstances to practice at home. Morning classes will be given by zoom. A Donation to the Wangapeka Educational Trust will be necessary for participation. To register please contact: Kath Mitchell mitchell.kath@gmail.com
All courses, on-site, for at least the next seven weeks, are cancelled. If you have registered for a course at Wangapeka, your course manager will keep you updated about any changes. Refund details are below.
We will be resuming our teaching programme on-site as soon as it is safe to do so.
We look forward to staying in touch with you and keeping you up-to-date through this time, via our website, Newsphere Newsletter and Social Media Posts.
Cancellation Policy – Covid-19 Plan – March 23
There has been an update to our cancellation policy in light of the changing times with COVID-19. The Wangapeka is offering a full refund of your course fees, including the $100 deposit. However, there is also an option to donate the deposit to the Centre to help us get through these times. We realise that this will be a financially challenging time for everyone so we are happy for retreatants to choose what works best for them.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and support.
Take care everyone.
With Metta
The Board of Trustees.
If you have any further queries please contact the Wangapeka Centre at: info@wangapeka.org.
May all beings be well and happy, may all beings be free!
† For our detailed plan please see WET Covid-19 Risk, Response and Management Plan Levels 1-4.pdf