Ngatiawa River Monastery is inviting Christians for a year or shorter stay in residence at its contemporary monastery nestled at the foot of the Tararua Ranges. Linked with the Diocese of Wellington and the Urban Vision movement, Ngatiawa is the home of 'Te Huarahi -Passionfest' a summer festival that inspires Christians with Christ's call of justice on their lives and offers resources and strategies to support them in their mahi.

The Ngatiawa community was founded by a group that included Bishop of Wellington Archbishop Justin Duckworth, and today is run by a voluntary team of families and single people following the way of Jesus together.

Stuart Mccann, who coordinates the Ngatiawa community's residential stays is keen to welcome newcomers to the life at Ngatiawa. 

"Whether you are starting out and looking for a place to serve and grow, or further along and needing space to breathe and reflect, we offer a welcoming place to belong, with daily prayers, gardens, prayer walks, and the simple rhythms of shared life." he said this week.

Flexible arrangements are available to cover the costs of the stay, including volunteering for board and lodge, or a weekly payment for rent and board.

Diane Berland picked up the opportunity of a time in residence at Ngatiawa in 2026 for a time out from her engineering studies.

"My time at Ngatiawa was wonderful ! I felt so welcomed and useful from the start. I loved easing into the daily rhythm of the place and discovering how the community lives out their faith together. Meeting so many great people with such different backgrounds was an amazing experience." she said.

Emily Smith, a public servant in her 30s from the UK found out about the river monastery at the foot of the Tararua hills and came to Aotearoa to give it a go back in 2025. 

"Ngatiawa River Monastery is worth flying half way round the world for." she said.

"I'd been searching for a community like this; a group of people who choose each other and the difficult business of living together and loving each other and the whenua."

When Emily looks back she loses count of the new things she learned (but is very proud of her possum trapping skills).

"My highlight was meeting all the brilliant, complicated, interesting people who crossed our threshold - hundreds of chance meetings with the images of God." 

Gabriele Weber decided to come to Ngatiawa for a sabbatical from her teaching career in Germany, not knowing quite what she'd signed up for. 

"I didn't know what to expect from this "Ngatiawa" Gabi recalls. 

"My imagination ran wild: Would I live among serious-looking monks living a strict monastic life? Would I be part of a crazy commune?"

But Gabi discovered Ngatiawa was something entirely different. 

"I found a place that gave me everything I needed and so much more." 

"Ngatiawa offered me a community of people of all ages to share life and faith with. It gave me a sense of belonging and togetherness, even far away from home. It provided a space to pause and be reminded of God's beautiful creation. It gave me peace my soul needed to breathe."

Gabi believes there's something special about the community and life at Ngatiawa that would benefit anyone who felt the call to go.

"I hope and pray for this special place that it may continue to be a place of blessing for everyone who comes."

For more information about the Ngatiawa River Monastery year in residence contact:

Stuart Mccann by email: stuart.macann(at)gmail.com for more info at Ngatiawa go to their website at Ngatiawa River Monastery