haven:opening 2026
Leadership for transformation, together.
A retreat for those working in complexity, holding big questions, and seeking community.
In today’s demanding landscape, leadership often means navigating uncertainty while staying true to your purpose. haven:opening is a reflective sanctuary 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.
Craving time to reconnect with what matters and the conditions that help you lead with clarity and purpose.
Looking for a peer community of thoughtful practitioners who understand the work and can accompany your reflection and experimentation.
At haven:opening, you'll join others who are shaping change in organisations, initiatives, movements, and systems. Together we’ll make dedicated time for personal contemplation, group exploration, and whatever nourishes you – writing, reading, walking, yoga, meditation, being in nature, or simply resting.
Part of the offering is Action Learning Sets, a simple and powerful way to learn from each other in community. Guided by skilled facilitation, you’ll explore your live questions and hear reflections from other leaders, building your capability to ask powerful questions and gain fresh insights.
This is your opportunity to 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 is this for?
This intimate retreat brings together 12 purpose-driven leaders from various sectors who are committed to creating positive change.
The small group size allows for deep connection while honouring each person’s need for solitude.
The retreat is designed and facilitated by May Miller-Dawkins and Jo Taylor of PRISM Co. We each bring distinct perspectives from decades of working to influence change and accompany leaders across social movements, community groups, policy think tanks, and philanthropy.
We’re now inviting a new cohort of leaders who recognise the value of going deep and taking time out to sustain themselves for the long game.
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:opening 2026 is hosted 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:opening begins on Monday 20th April with proceedings starting in the early evening around 6.30pm. You are welcome to check in from 2pm.
haven:opening ends on Thursday 23rd April. 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:opening 2026.
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 of haven:opening you will be refunded, minus the deposit.