Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do for your pakihi is to step away from it. This post is for the self-employed business owner working their nono off to build something they are passionate about. You are probably wearing several different pōtae (hats), learning new skills as you go, keeping up with a constantly changing business landscape, and sacrificing weekends, sleep and mental energy.

You know what you need? A mahi retreat. A dedicated getaway for working on your business rather than working in it. It is a chance to pause, reflect, plan, create, rest and reconnect with the bigger picture. Here is a guide on how you can plan your own to ensure you get the most out of it.

Why I started organising mahi retreats

I had the privilege of attending my first combined business retreat organised by Nikki from Taputapu Design. Three of us wāhine in business spent a few days together staying in a secluded rural Airbnb overlooking Lake Taupō. The wānanga and kōrero we shared about business, life, challenges and future plans were incredibly motivating. We each left feeling clearer, more inspired and excited about the year ahead.

↑ TAUPŌ, JAN 2022

Since then, I have been inspired to organise a retreat every year coinciding around Matariki, staying in stunning spots located in Raglan, Waihī Beach and Taupō. Matariki works well for me because I often reach a mid-year slump and need time to reflect and realign, but your retreat can happen whenever it makes sense for you.

Here is the blueprint I use to organise mine.

1. Set the intentions

Before researching accommodation or planning a menu, decide what you want the retreat to achieve. A mahi retreat does not need to be four days of intensive business planning. In fact, it probably shouldn't be.

Your purpose might be to:

• review the past year
• set goals for the next six or twelve months
• create or batch content
• work on a particular project
  
• learn from other business owners
• rest and recover from a demanding season
• reconnect with your why

Our retreats usually have three core goals: to connect, focus on the big picture of our businesses, and intentionally rest. You should not return from a retreat more exhausted than when you left. That is just taking your laptop somewhere with a better view.

2. Choose the right company

A solo retreat can be wonderful, particularly when you need uninterrupted thinking time. However, I have found incredible value in retreating with other wāhine business owners. Running a small business can feel isolating, and there are very few opportunities to speak honestly with people who understand the unique combination of pressure, freedom, risk and responsibility that comes with it.

You don't all need to work in the same industry. In fact, different experiences and strengths make the kōrero even more valuable. What matters is that you share similar values, communicate comfortably and respect one another’s need for both connection and space. Keep the group intimate enough that it still feels relaxed. Around three to six people works well.

3. Budget for ✨bougee✨

Include your retreat in your annual budget and put money aside for it throughout the year. The final cost will depend on the number of nights, the type of accommodation, how many people attend and the activities or services you include, but go as bougee as your budget allows. Research places and local suppliers, then create a budget that includes everything.

For a comfortable three-night midweek retreat with quality accommodation, generous kai and one or two indulgent experiences, I would allow approximately $1,300 to $1,800 per person. Roughly broken down, 60% on accomodation, 20% on kai/dining, and 20% on experiences/activities.

Spend according to your capacity, but try to create an experience that feels different from your everyday routine.

Your budget should include, at minimum:

• 🛏️ accommodation
  
• 💆🏽 one indulgent activity
• 🥑 groceries for all kai
  

Keep a record of costs, payments and bookings, and require attendees to pay a deposit a few months ahead of the retreat to secure their spot. I have a spreadsheet to calculate everything to make it easy to adjust and monitor. Note that travel costs are individual to each attendee.

4. Find a location that helps you slow down

Choose accommodation that feels peaceful, comfortable and inspiring. I like to book somewhere that we would be perfectly happy not to leave for several days. That may mean stunning views, access to walking tracks or bodies of water, or simply a beautiful and cosy house with nice decor and plenty of natural light.

Features worth prioritising include:

• spacious shared living area
• dining table large enough for everyone to work/eat around
• reliable Wi-Fi
• comfortable beds
• enough bathrooms
• decent heating during winter
• full kitchen
• peaceful surroundings
• close access to nature/bodies of water
  

I generally choose somewhere within about 250 km radius of home. This keeps travel time and costs manageable while still creating a genuine sense of getting away.

Accommodation tips

• Get in early. Book at least six months in advance. There are more options available, and once you have the location locked in, it makes it a lot easier to plan everything else.
• Book midweek. Midweek rates are often lower, and there is usually more availability.
• Consider the quieter season. Accommodation between May and September can be considerably cheaper than peak summer rates.
• Check whether you can book directly. Some hosts offer better pricing through their own websites than through large booking platforms.
• Confirm the bedroom layout. Do not assume that a house advertised for six guests has six separate beds. If some people need to share, discuss it beforehand and reduce their contribution to the accommodation cost to make it fair.
• Read the practical details carefully. Main things to check are the Wi-Fi, bedroom configuration, heating, parking, rules and check-in/out times.

5. Create a loose schedule

A retreat needs enough structure to provide direction, but not so much that everyone feels as though they are attending a conference. Plan the overall rhythm of each day rather than filling every hour.

↑ WAIRĒINGA/BRIDAL VEIL FALLS. RAGLAN 2025

I usually include:

• relaxed mornings
• one or two blocks of independent mahi
• shared meals
• plenty of unstructured time
• one main activity each day
  
• time with nature
• a pampering or restorative experience

Treat the itinerary as a guide. One person may spend three hours working through a big project or on team calls. Someone else may need a nap, or a cold plunge in the ocean. The retreat should give people permission to respond to what they actually need.

EXAMPLE RETREAT ITINERARY 

↑ TAUPŌ, JAN 2022

6. Plan every meal in advance

Plan all the kai before the retreat, including breakfasts, drinks and snacks. It's a lot of admin leading up to the retreat, but it means you can fully relax once you're there, because you have everything sorted. The goal is to avoid having to leave the accomodation to fuel your body, and minimise the amount of time anyone needs to spend cooking.

Choose meals that are:

• nourishing
• easy to prepare
• suitable for sharing
• adaptable for dietary requirements
• able to be partly prepared in advance
  

I prepare as much as possible before leaving, including dressings, marinades, chopped ingredients and the first evening’s dinner. I then arrange a click and collect for the rest of the groceries the day before.

EXAMPLE RETREAT MENU

Where the budget allows, consider using a local caterer for one or two meals or booking a private chef for an evening. It reduces the organiser’s workload and makes the retreat feel particularly special.

7. Add a restorative or memorable experience

Choose one main experience that gives everyone a genuine break from their day-to-day mahi. Past retreat activities have included in-home massages, mini business photoshoots with professional makeup, hīkoi up a maunga/to a waterfall, dining out and a private chef dinner party.

Other ideas could include:

• a creative workshop
• a yoga or movement session
• a restorative spa experience
• a pottery or art class
  

Limit yourself to around one organised activity per day. Leaving open space is one of the most valuable parts of the retreat.

8. End intentionally

Do not rush straight from packing up and checking-out into driving home. Plan time to reflect on what emerged during the retreat. This might happen over a final breakfast, a hīkoi or brunch after checking out. Share what you got out of the retreat, and what your goals are for the next season.

↑ WAIHI BEACH, JUNE 2025. PHOTO CREDIT: ASHLEE DECAIRES PHOTOGRAPHY

—

You do not need an extravagant budget or a perfectly designed itinerary to organise a valuable retreat. Start with what works for you. Book somewhere peaceful. Invite one or two business friends. Plan simple kai. And don't put too much pressure on yourself.

The real value comes from stepping away from the noise long enough to see your pakihi clearly again, and reignite your passion for the mahi you do.