Tranquillity     Beauty     Simplicity

Welcome to our Work Exchange Programme

Please read the information below before applying for a Work Exchange / WWOOFER Programme at Mana Retreat Centre

Mana is a prestigious retreat and conference centre situated in a scenic and lovely part of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand. Mana offers a wide range of workshops and events in the areas of body-mind education, creative expression and spiritual exploration. Mana can accommodate up to 50 guests in comfortable modern rooms, and provides vegetarian and wholefood cuisine. Ingredients are mostly organic and often sourced from the beautiful Mana garden. Mana is a guest oriented business serving an international community.

The energy, enthusiasm and efforts of wwoofers (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) and other volunteers, is an essential component of Mana and is welcomed by the small staff team who direct their work. We prefer longer term wwoofers (at least one month) as there is much to learn in our different areas (house-keeping, kitchen, gardens), and we need to train you to work to the standards we maintain. Mana is especially interested in workers who would like to extend their stay beyond  a month, and train to take more responsibilty. If you wish to consider a more intense and longer work/learn experience, then please indicate in a mail attached to your application.

Wwoofers need to be able to work under direction and supervision, and at times do mundane and simple tasks. At other times we ask them to take responsibility and be self starting and creative. We view work as meditation and service, as well as a time to learn and increase skills. We also like to offer wwoofs a chance to take on projects, once we have had a chance to ascertain their skill and abilities. 

We like wwoofers to be with us long enough to experience both the stimulation and business when a group is in and the quieter relaxation and enjoyment of the facilities when there is not. Although during the application process we have already agreed on a length of stay, we still insist on the 4 day mutual ”trial period“ where the wwoofer gets to know Mana, and we get to know the wwoofer. After this review period we confirm the length of stay.

Mana wwoofers work on a roster system under the guidance of a staff member or an experienced long term wwoofer in the kitchen, housekeeping, garden and grounds. Usually our work week is 5 days on and 2 days off (consecutive if possible). A working day is 6 hours plus one hour break. At times we are very busy and work hard and at others the centre is quiet and we can have a more relaxed schedule and do project work! 

In return for your hard work we offer all accommodation (mostly shared) , great food and the use of the Mana facilities and land !!

We welcome your interest in joining our team
click here for an Application Form:

Read more from a WWOOFER'S blog here...