Since the last AGM the Board has lost three very experienced members; Jane Hobday, Pierre Mitchell and now Louise Petzold. Serving on the Board of Trustees is a great experience. You can expect to learn a lot, make some contributions in your areas of interest and expertise
and also attend or Zoom in to the monthly meetings. If you are interested in serving on the board and would like more information, contact Office Caretaker Amber, any board member or the secretary Tim Leyland. 

Louise Petzold has recently stepped down as Board Coordinator. Louise brought so many valuable skills and her deep heart of Dharma to her role and will be greatly missed as a Board member. 

Kumanu itself is continuing to evolve in its function of forming a bridge to foster dialogue, share news, spark interest and feedback. Read here for March summary of BOT meetings, as seen through the eyes of new BOT member Shelley Taylor, and a few notes from the April meeting as well. 

Diary of a retreat manager in a pandemic : 

8 March:  Our 5th Annual Dzogchen retreat appears to be coming together 'according to plan'.  A vague sense however that the process has been a little too smooth so far…
9 March:  In discussion with Amber, we decide to email retreatants about COVID-19, requesting them not to come if they are high risk.
11 March:  WHO declares a pandemic
16 March:  As the COVID-19 situation continues to escalate, Wangapeka BOT advise that they are meeting to pull together a risk management plan.  There is a possibility they may close the doors if health and safety risks are considered too great.  We begin to adapt to this possibility while carrying on our set course - the intention to practice Dharma has a powerful momentum.

Read here for the rest of the Diary by Jonathan Chambers


The retreat itself was very intense for me since the first day, like knowing that at any time we might have to pack and come back, made me make any second count. It felt like the energetic field of Wangapeka itself, the care of the Board sending updates, and the presence of Lama Mark, were holding space for us to accomplish the purpose of us being there, which in the context of things was enhanced. Being introduced to the Medicine Buddha practice in this particular time is very special and I personally feel the commitment to practice and generate love, kindness and compassion for the good of all beings.

Read here for more reviews by Alejandra, Karenza and Linda

Well, that escalated quickly! On the 15th of March our campaign came to its official close. The giving didn't stop there however, with a few direct donations still continuing to flow in this week, a grand total of $46,433.00 has now been raised towards the Wangapeka Power Supply Upgrade.

We are so grateful to each and every one of the 70 donors who gave so generously, beyond our expectations. A huge thank you also goes out to all those who gave their time to help shape the campaign, and everyone who helped spread the word.

Final numbers

Direct Donations: $33,733.00
16 Donations from 15 Donors

Givealittle Donations: $12,800.00
60 Donations from 55 Donors

Total Donations: $46,433.00
76 Donations from 70 Donors

This leaves just a small contribution from the centre’s reserve fund to make up the balance.

Where are we up to now? 
Read here to read about the plan now for the Power Upgrade

Here are some important documents that you can find on the Wangapeka website

• Link here to We're Closed - Covid 19 Plan (updated April 8)

This document includes information on future retreats -

"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.

Thanks for your understanding."

• Link here to Wangapeka's Covid-19 Risk, Response and Management Plan

• Link here to Wangapeka's Revised Complaints Procedure 

Poem by Zoe Buchanan 

Beyond coming and going
Feeling connected 
here..... fully

Right here.... right now...
Filling the space that is you

Feeling the colour
             the tone
             the texture
             the density
                               that is you in this moment


Then you can feel.....
                                  truly be with.......
                                                           All that you are......
From here you can become aware of the place where you end and everything else begins.......
You can feel the creative EDGE
                                                  That whisper of a membrane 
Then it fades....disappears
There is no longer any fear of
that which is not you
                                 there.....is....no.....separation

The colours can blend like a sunset .....
                                                            day bleeding into night
The tones can harmonise like a massive choir...
The ripples can dissipate into stillness
You are neither light nor heavy, right or wrong.... 
You just are
You are here and you are everywhere..
All is well.

Written after recent retreat with Jonathan Chambers

Energy Rides the Winds (online)

a self isolation retreat

Life as It Is (2020)

A Family Friendly Community Retreat

A community practice weekend for everyone. All ages, family and community welcome.

Come and join us for a warm community weekend of mindful practice and exploration where we will explore together how we grow a sense of support, connectedness, curiosity and kindness no matter what is happening in our lives- at work, at school or at home.

Growing Joy

An Integrative Meditation and Open Floor Dance Retreat

The Wisdom of Angelic Archetypes

A Meditation Retreat

The Heart Sutra

A Taste of Nyungne

A Ritual Fasting 1,000 Armed Chenreizig Retreat

Chenrezig Meditation Retreat

Every Precious Moment – Mindfulness of Death, Impermanence & Uncertainty

Garden of Mindfulness Family Retreat

Alice in Wonderland Edition