Okay, be honest: how much time do you spend indoors?

This can be a real challenge for people, and increasingly so with our jobs slowly being more and more sedentary; and the pandemic didn’t help. We all know that the outdoors can be revitalising but, why?

Tui’s, kākā, and South Island robins whistle amongst the silver beech forest melting with sparkling, wispy moss at Maruia River Retreat’s 180 hectares of native bush.

When we are unbothered and not subjected to stimulation, we look internally. We find that the outside world is not distracting - that we find solace in the quiet that we recognize comes from within.

The darkness helps us see what’s within.

If there’s one thing to address that can make the healthiest impact in your life in these times, it’s getting better sleep. The quality of your sleep determines your mood, energy levels and more importantly, your ability to function with a sharp mind and limber body for the work day ahead.

We’re thrilled that Rachel Grunwell is returning to host another retreat at Maruia next month. The wellness expert and author of the book Balance: Food, Health + Happiness has a wealth of inspiration to share. Ahead of her Balance Retreat in October, we asked her what her three tips are for embracing change - a theme we are exploring this month with the coming of spring.

Diane Covington-Carter, an award-winning American and NZ travel writer, recently participated in a successful Writer’s Retreat on our estate. While here, she interviewed Lasse Holopainen, Co-Owner of Maruia River retreat about all things yoga.

Last autumn seems a distant memory, and winter a fever dream. As we begin to awaken, the river swells with new, wild, mana, flushing away winter's lethargy - a harbinger of the new life to come.

Last year, we had what must be one of nature's most coordinated events, a Beech Mast, where all of the native beech trees drop their seeds simultaneously, in massive, unbelievable concentration.