Meditation New Zealand
Meditation New Zealand offers a variety of simple and enjoyable programs to support a happy, healthy, and purposeful lifestyle where you can find true harmony of body, mind, and soul. Through meditation, mindfulness, breathing and relaxation practices, kirtan, yoga, retreats, and yoga wisdom, we share practical tools that can be explored at your own pace. There is nothing to join, and everyone is welcome to take part.
Our programs are open to everyone. Most sessions are free to attend, with koha (donations) appreciated. Some workshops or retreats may have a cost to help cover venue and event expenses.
Commonly Asked Questions:
What can I expect at a Meditation New Zealand event?
You can expect a calm and welcoming environment where you can relax, reflect, and take part in a way that feels comfortable for you. Some people participate actively, while others simply rest and observe. Some of our events include:
Kirtan Evenings:
​Kirtan Meditation is a joyful, interactive form of group meditation accompanied by contemporary music, both mellow and upbeat. It is a simple call-and-response practice which everyone can join in by singing, dancing, or simply listening. No experience or “good voice” is needed — just come as you are.
These sacred mantras reconnect us with our spiritual essence and revive our forgotten relationship with the Supreme, allowing us to taste the deep joy, peace, and love we are all searching for. Enjoy a delicious plant-based supper and connect with others.
Retreats:
Retreats include morning meditation sessions, yoga with experienced teachers, relaxation, mellow kirtan, wisdom insights, Q&A sessions, plant-based meals, and enlivening evening kirtans.
Afternoons are free to enjoy bush walks and nature, visits to waterfalls or beaches, picnics, volleyball, or simply time to rest and recharge. Bring friends, meet others, or take time for yourself.
Soul Searcher Yoga Kirtan Camp Outs:
A transformative retreat in a beautiful natural valley nestled at the foot of the Coromandel Ranges. Camp by the river and enjoy yoga, breathwork, meditation, wisdom talks,
mellow and upbeat kirtan, and more.
Swim in clear waterholes, enjoy nourishing plant-based food, and explore nearby white sand beaches or forest walks, including the historic gold mining areas nearby.
A space to relax, recharge, and reconnect– while enjoying nature, music, and a supportive community atmosphere.
One Day Wellness Retreats:
A one-day yoga retreat designed to help you unwind and reset. Calm your mind with breathwork, yoga asanas, and meditation.
Listen to yoga wisdom talks sharing practical ideas for bringing balance into daily life.
Enjoy mellow kirtan meditation and a plant-based meal to finish the day.
What is Meditation New Zealand about?
For over 40 years, meditation classes, yoga sessions, retreats, and community events have been offered throughout New Zealand. These programs introduce practices drawn from traditional yoga teachings in a way that is accessible and relevant to modern life. Participation is always voluntary, and people are free to explore at their own pace.
Are your events family-friendly? Can children take part?
Yes, families are welcome at our programs. Children may be present in a way that feels natural and comfortable for them, without any expectation to take part.
Parents remain responsible for their children and are free to guide their participation as they see fit, as they would in any community setting.
We simply ask that everyone helps maintain a calm and respectful environment for all attendees.
Where can I experience this in other parts of New Zealand?
If you are based outside of Auckland, we also offer some online resources.
If you live in one of these areas, you may like to see what’s happening locally and whether it’s something you’d enjoy being part of.
Mt Maunganui Meditation
Waikato Meditation
Meditation Mangawhai
Christchurch Meditation
Queenstown Meditation
Do I need experience or to follow a belief system?
No. Meditation New Zealand programs are open to everyone, regardless of background, belief, or experience. The practices are offered as tools that you can explore and decide for yourself whether they are helpful.
Is there any expectation around ongoing involvement?
No. People are free to attend as often or as little as they wish. There is no expectation to continue, and no obligation to participate beyond what feels personally appropriate.
Learn More About Our Approach
Many people simply attend our meditation programs and enjoy the practical benefits without feeling the need to go deeply into the philosophy behind them.
However, while these practices are simple and powerful in themselves, there is also a depth of knowledge that underpins them for those who would like to explore further.
These practices can help us reconnect with our spiritual nature and deepen a personal connection with the Supreme – bringing a greater sense of joy, peace, and meaning.
This knowledge has been shared across generations over hundreds, even thousands of years, and is offered in a way that allows individuals to explore if they feel so inclined.
Yoga philosophy emphasizes that deeper insight develops through personal experience. For this reason, people are encouraged to reflect, ask questions, and consider what they learn, rather than simply accepting things at face value.
People may learn through a combination of personal practice, guidance, and reflection. Teachers may offer guidance based on their experience, while individuals remain free to consider what is shared, ask questions, and apply it in their own lives.
What is the background of these practices?
These practices come from a long-standing yoga/meditation tradition centered on self-realization and understanding the nature of the self and consciousness. They are based on the understanding that each person is more than the physical body or temporary identity, and that meditation can support greater clarity, awareness, and a deeper sense of meaning in life.
These teachings are open to people of all backgrounds and are shared in a way that allows individuals to explore them at their own pace. Yoga wisdom encourages personal reflection and growth, allowing each person to gradually progress on their spiritual journey.
Is Meditation New Zealand connected to any political group?
No. Meditation New Zealand is a charitable organization and does not promote or align with any political party or agenda. Programs are open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs.
Who comes along to Meditation New Zealand events?
People from all walks of life attend Meditation New Zealand events, including families, professionals, students, and retirees.
Some people come along occasionally, while others develop a regular meditation practice over time. Everyone is welcome, regardless of background or experience.
Are these practices shared in the community?
Yes. Meditation practices are shared in a range of community settings, including wellbeing programs, educational environments, and local events.
Over the years, these practices have also been offered in a variety of settings across
New Zealand, including Paremoremo Maximum Security Prison in Auckland, workplaces, community centers, rest homes, and early childhood environments.
Examples include sessions for Mental Health Awareness Week, gentle chair yoga in rest homes, and meditation or yoga sessions for parents and families. Participants have shared that they found the practices helpful for developing greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and a sense of personal responsibility.
The aim is simply to offer practical tools that individuals may explore and add to their lives should they find them helpful. These programs do not provide specialised support services.
Footer Note
Meditation New Zealand shares meditation education and community programs designed to support wellbeing.
These offerings are not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or counselling support. If you are seeking this kind of support, we encourage you to connect with a qualified professional.