haven: grounded 2025
Leadership in transformation, together.
A retreat for those leading in complexity, holding big questions, and seeking grounded clarity.
In today’s demanding landscape, leadership often means navigating uncertainty while staying true to your purpose. name is a reflective space for people who are stepping into, or deepening, their leadership — especially those working systemically to address complex challenges across sectors and communities.
This retreat is for you if you’re:
Holding a live question — personally, professionally, or both — and seeking time to think it through with intention.
Leading in complexity, where there are no easy answers, and the work requires deep values-alignment, relational strength, and systemic thinking.
Looking for a peer community of thoughtful practitioners to support your reflection and experimentation.
At Haven, you'll join others who are shaping change — in organisations, initiatives, movements, and systems — f – to engage in individual reflection, group exploration and have space to do what nourishes and energises you – writing, reading, walking, yoga, meditation, being in nature…
We hold this space so you can step out of daily demands, realign with your purpose, and return with renewed clarity, connection, and focus.
Our goal is for you to leave feeling renewed, focused and connected.
haven 2024 attendees out for dinner
who?
This intimate retreat brings together 12 purpose-driven leaders from various sectors who are committed to creating positive change.
The group size allows for deep connection while maintaining space for individual reflection.
The retreat is designed and facilitated by May Miller-Dawkins and Jo Taylor. We each bring a distinct perspective from working to influence change and support leaders in the overlapping spheres of social movements, community groups, policy think tanks and philanthropy.
We can host up to 12 others. For the first time in two years, we are inviting a new group of leaders to join this experience. Collectively we will bring together a group of committed leaders who want to have space to go deep and also recognise the value of taking time out to sustain themselves.
what?
The retreat is a mix of structured and unstructured time including:
Group sessions to engage in reflection, discussion and do exercises relating to your leadership practices, the systems you are operating in and areas for your own growth (this may include action learning, individual exercises discussed within the group, systemic storytelling etc).
Loosely structured sessions to go deeper with pairs or smaller groups including during walks or around the pool.
Space for your own processing, writing or relaxation.
Opportunities for socialising including meals (and one dinner out at a local favourite).
Optional movement sessions.
Theraputic massage session (included).
where and when?
haven 2025 is hosted at close to Whakatū / Nelson, Aotearoa / New Zealand at Appleby House and Rabbit Island Huts.
The venue is a gorgeous piece of land just in from the coast. There is a main house with several common spaces, including a kitchen, dining room and lounge.
You can choose to stay in either one of the luxury bedrooms, a private hut or there is one cozy glamping tent.
The property also has a large function room, outdoor and indoor fireplaces, a steam sauna, outdoor baths, and a little library, all connected by sweeping lawns and with views of the surrounding countryside.
haven begins on Monday 15th September with proceedings starting in the early evening around 6.30pm. You are welcome to check in from 2pm.
haven ends on Thursday 18th September. Departure from the venue is at 10am.
Board walk to the private huts
Join us
We have space for 12 leaders to join us at haven 2025.
There are 7 spots for rooms or huts (with ensuites)for $3900 NZD (gst included) per person.
There are 5 spots for huts with shared bathroom facilities close by for $3600 NZD (gst included) per person.
There are scholarships available for attendees without organisational support or from historically disadvantaged groups. Please get in touch to find out more.
The cost of the retreat covers:
Facilitated sessions
Accommodation
Airport transfers
All food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options). Including a dinner out at an excellent local restaurant
One one-hour therapuetic massage
Optional meditation and movement sessions with local teachers
Access to all onsite amenities (e.g. sauna)
It does not cover:
Airfares or any other mode of travel to Nelson region
Your individual travel insurance
Terms
Rooms are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis
To secure your place and room a 50% deposit is required
The deposit is non-refundable
If you need to cancel and it is more than 7 days prior to the start you will refunded what you’ve paid, minus the deposit.