We welcome help of all sorts from people who are interested in developing or strengthening a spiritual practice and their own personal growth. As a spiritual retreat centre, we aim to have a harmonious and joyful environment with an emphasis on non-violence or ahimsa. We only eat vegetarian food and we request that volunteers do not take drugs or alcohol or smoke during their stay with us.
Our focus is on helping people understand and have a personal experience of yoga and Self Realisation. We focus on our meditation practice, satsang and yoga practices to establish us in this experience.
We aim to find work for people that they enjoy doing. We have a variety of tasks needing workers, from maintaining and enhancing the vegetable gardens, hothouse, general gardens, trees, lawn and orchard, as well as painting and maintaining the buildings, cleaning, cooking, taking yoga classes, preparing for retreats and resetting the property after them. In general, we ask volunteers to serve or work (or be involved in our living yoga programme) for 5.5 hours work per day (5 days a week).
In return we will provide you with good quality, vegetarian food, often from our vegetable garden and hothouse. We encourage all volunteers to join in our twice daily meditation practice, the two weekly yoga classes and our satsang discussion group.
We also provide volunteers with accommodation. We have a new accommodation area for volunteers. You will have your own room.
We are located in a beautiful part of New Zealand, with Otaki beach 15 minutes away by car in one direction, Otaki river 5 minutes away and Otaki forks, with its stunning river and bush walks, 20 minutes in another direction. There are bikes that volunteers can borrow to enjoy the surrounding countryside, or you may wish to walk on the country roads. We are about 5 minutes drive or 40 minutes walk from Otaki township.
Please contact us if you would like to know more about volunteering, either by email or by calling John Joyce on 0274 303 623 or Gabrielle Meech on 022 072 6582. We ask people to stay for a minimum of one calendar month. If you are not able to stay for this period we ask that you pay a koha of $20-40 per day for shorter periods of time.
Volunteer testimonies
“Strathean is such a special place, not just because of its natural beauty but because of the amazing energy you feel the moment you arrive. From day one I felt like I had found a real home, a safe and loving place that welcomed me completely. John and Gabrielle treated me like family, which meant so much to me. I felt supported, cared for and truly myself while I was there. My meditation practice grew in ways I didn’t expect, and I learned so much about myself. Even the simple moments – like sharing breakfast or lunch – turned into deep, meaningful conversations that helped me grow. I left Strathean with my heart full of peace and gratitude.
What touched me most is how John and Gabrielle genuinely care about each volunteer’s journey, always encouraging personal growth with so much kindness. The other volunteers were also wonderful, and together we shared laughs, good talks, and beautiful memories.
Strathean isn’t just a place – it’s an experience of connection, transformation and love. I’ll always carry it with me, and I know I’ll definitely be back one day.” Fernanda, Brazil, 2025
“The experience at the Strathean Centre is unforgettable. It’s a safe and warm place where you can fully relax and make room for your Self. You can feel all the beautiful energies that live there. John and Gabrielle are so charming, caring and generous. Their wisdom and quality of presence are so inspiring.
I feel so grateful and full of gratitude for John and Gabrielle, the Strathean Centre, and for life. Thank you for working for life and providing these supportive spaces. I hope to see you soon.” Flore, French, 2005
“From the bottom of my heart thank you for welcoming me into your home. In such a short week I have learned so much about myself and to reconnect with my power. The divine energy of Strathean from the attitude of the volunteers and guests to the physical manifestation of a rainbow! makes me so grateful to know my path has crossed with so many beautiful like-minded individuals. I know these teachings are only the start to something much bigger than myself which one way or another is already inside of me. I look forward to continuing to connect online especially! I wish you continued beautiful energy and light at Strathean. Please keep in touch.” Madaline, American, 2005
“My time at Strathean Yoga Retreat has been great! It was made extra special by the people I met. I honestly can say that I have met friends for life. I was there for only one week but in that week I did Karma yoga, attended meditation, Satsang, Kirtan, taught yoga, went hiking, cooked for the community and more. For me it was an introduction to the teachings of Yogananda, but I found many similarities to my previous studies of yoga and meditation. The teachers were very open to all faiths and paths which I liked very much. I highly recommend a stay at this humble and beautiful retreat. I hope to visit NZ once again and hopefully visit Strathean also. Namaste” Reena, British, 2025
“I came in with no intention. I left with a mind full with knowledge and a heart filled with Love.
Never ever would I have imagined to learn so much about applying spirituality to my daily life like the month I spent at Strathean!
Meditations followed by a fresh meal with ingredients from the backyard.
Then some work where I had to rise over my ego sometimes! Followed by insightful conversations with the group.
No days felt boring at Strathean! Always filled with laughter and talks about higher truths.
Thanks for having me! Strathean will keep a special place in my heart.” Joel, Swiss, 2025
“Everything is divine timing and I am so deeply grateful that the universe led me to this wonderful place.
For the first time (after 36 years) I got my first glimpse what for me a healthy family life feels like, where I feel safe, heard, accepted, held and supported. My stay at the centre has a powerful impact on my life and I will always cherish it! And I will be definitely back sooner or later.
Thank you for everything, your love and care.” Suz, German, 2024
“Words cannot describe what Strathean has done for me, let alone what it feels like initially entering the grounds- a powerful energy thst bestows beauty and serenity within moments.
Finding people who welcome you into their family unconditionally is a rarity, and surely what was only meant to be a month long journey easily turned into two months of staying.
Learning about your inner self can be a daunting task, but the support system I had here was so healing and reassuring.
John, Gabrielle, Claire, and everyone else apart of the community truly emulate such a warm and loving embrace, it doesn’t take long to feel right at home.
I believe in many ways Strathean came into my life when I needed it the most, and has tought me life long principles of presence, balance, and connection that is needed in this world. Thankful to have discovered a true gem :)” Logan, American, 2024
“I had a wonderful time volunteering at Strathean center this summer. I originally planned to stay for one month with two of my friends, but we wanted to extend our stay and John and Gabrielle were very flexible and accommodating.
Our time at the retreat was very memorable and special. John and Gabrielle have created such a beautiful and safe space that allows the volunteers to grow their meditation practice and look deeply into oneself. During my time there, I learned a lot about meditation, myself, and how I interact with the world around me. Lessons that I will remember and memories I will cherish forever! I am in disbelief when I think about what a unique and special place Strathean is, I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to experience it.
Our days blended meditation practice and yoga with work, contributing to the center by doing a variety of tasks. We had opportunities to learn new skills and do meaningful work with our hands that was meditative and rewarding. We ate delicious meals cooked with love and fresh veggies from the garden. The people, the beautiful property, the music, the animals, the food, and the opportunities to grow are just some of the countless reasons that make Strathean a place I will remember and cherish forever! I am forever grateful for my time here, thank you Strathean! ❤️” Phoebe, American, 2024
“I had an incredibly impactful and empowering experience at Strathean. John, Gabrielle, and Clare, three amazing individuals, shared their love, peace, and wisdom with me. They provided space for growth and authenticity. I highly recommend this volunteer opportunity, as I am forever grateful for mine.” Liam, American, 2024
“I started traveling away from home about a year ago, and New Zealand introduced to me a sacred peace that was difficult for me to reach. One of the most beautiful places of this country I found was in a little coasty town called Otaki, where Streathean and its marvelous people took me in and made me part of their home. All the natural beauty of the kiwi country can be founded in Strathean, where you can breath the most pure air, feel one with nature and elevate your energy in the company of Gabrielle, Claire, Joy and John, hosts of this sanctuary and four of the most amazing people I had the pleasure to meet. It helped me to go deeper with my process, meditating a lot, taking yoga classes, lovely satsang meetings and of course learning new skills while working and having a good time! In my time there, I lived and ate better than the royalty, that’s for sure!
I hope that would be enough, but actually I have no words to describe how grateful I am with all of you guys, it’s been an honor getting to know you and sharing that time with you.” Carlos, Argentina
“First of all I would like to say that Strathean can‘t be described. It’s like trying to describe a beautiful landscape…you will always miss out on some pretty details.
So to truly picture it you have to experience it.
But let me try.
Strathean for me, became a place to get to know parts of me I didn‘t really thought exist.
It‘s a place where age doesn‘t matter and friendship is not defined but given.
Strathean is a teacher.
For Spirituality as well as for every-day skills like cooking, gardening or painting. It’s a place of peace and laughter. It’s a place where you will find love as it’s purest. It’s a place where you will hopefully find a piece of you…you might didn’t even notice was missing. But above all these things, I personally believe that Strathean is a home.
The people living, teaching and working there do excellent work. I felt so welcome and simply accepted for who I am. I will forever be thankful and carry the experience as well as the people in my heart.” Emma, Germany
“I spent 3 months and a half living at Strathean. I went there wanting to heal myself, to be in a better place with myself, I was feeling for a long time that something was off, like I was running away from something. So my time here was perfect in every sense, it came in the right time. I think for the first time I felt that I could be vulnerable in front of others, feeling safe and without judge. I am so greatful for my time there, and now 7 months after I left I can see and feel how I’ve change in a lot of ways from all the help and care that I got from everybody at the house, doing satsangs, the spiritual movies, the people, the times at Shikkas, the conversation, well like Emma said, you gotta experience Strathean.” Ben, Chile
“I came to Strathean at a vulnerable time in my life when I needed support. I think it was meant to be that I ended up there. I found at Strathean I was able to be honest and be myself for the first time and from that foundation make authentic connections that I never had made before. Not only was I able to be myself without judgment but I felt appreciated for being myself. These connections touched me on a deep level that will last a very long time. I also felt a powerful healing energy at work at Strathean, bringing things into the light to be seen and healed stronger than any other place I have been. It felt a relief on my heart to live around like minded people for some time. Overall my time at Strathean was profound :),” Blair, USA
Working Bees
We hold regular working bees, mostly on weekends, and welcome all who are interested to come and join us. Please see our Calendar of Events for details. Please contact us if you would like to be on our mailing list for working bees and our Friends of Strathean distribution list.
Strathean Retreat Centre 