Aro Hā
NEW ZEALAND
THE PERSONALITIES
Soul Searchers. Yogis. Vegans.
MOMENTS
Transformative experiences. Awe-inspiring landscapes. Reconnecting with the wild. The simplicity of being. Feeling light and alive. Panoramic view of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
BEST VISITING MONTHS
December to March.
COST
WHY STAY
Aro Hā is a mind, body, and soul wellness experience on the shore of Lake Wakatipu in Glenorchy, New Zealand’s majestic Southern Alps.
The retreat has been constructed from larch wood and local stone, with minimal impact to the environment, running entirely on hydro and solar power. The minimal single and shared eco suites draw inspiration from the surrounding nature, with 60 degree views of the lake and the mountains from every room.
Enjoy earth-inspired spaces throughout Aro Ha - the hydrotherapy spa built into the mountainous land, the yoga studio with unparalleled views to the lake, the zen tea rooms. Nourish yourself in a place where wellness meets luxury. Discover mindfulness through landscape. Reconnect to yourself and discover the healing effects of being in nature.
WHY WANDER
Aro Ha translates to “in the presence of divine breath” in Te Reo. Choose a 6 or 8 day specialty designed program, mixing ancient wellness traditions and mindfulness-based activities in a unique natural setting. The all-inclusive retreat includes organic vegetarian cuisine, mindfulness practice, alpine hiking, yoga, bodywork and movement. Start each day saluting the sun at the yoga studio. Experience Tibetan sound healing. Take an energizing hike through the mountains. Unwind in the infrared sauna and end the day with a one-hour therapeutic massage.
INDULGE IN
Vegan and plant based diet made with organic produce grown onsite.
GETTING THERE
Fly into Queenstown, following a beautiful 45 minute drive to Aro Ha.
WILD INITIATIVES
The purpose of Aro Ha is to transition people to a more awake and sustainable approach to life and relationship with the environment. The buildings and landscape, gardens, permaculture, extraordinary environment and activities on retreat all come together to educate and create this change. Aro Ha was designed to be used as an example of living sustainably. Aro Ha has established an infrastructure that treads lightly on the environment and is strongly self-sufficient. To do this Aro Ha minimises energy use through exceptionally high insulation levels, airtightness, careful solar design and low energy lighting and appliances. The buildings were built using Passive Huas Techniques.
Aro Ha also has a massive commitment to onsite renewable energy generation and was New Zealand's first renewably sourced distributed heating Scheme. Aro Ha uses:
5 kw photovoltaic panels and thermal solar panels.
Wood-boiler feeding large thermal store supported by solar panels feeding a district hot water scheme.
40kw Micro-hydro generation from mountain stream combining with PV arrays to feed back to the grid and allow for self-sufficiency when grid not available, which can happen in harsh winter conditions.
Vegetable Gardens and greenhouses, coppicing, nut and fruit trees, irrigation systems, rainwater collection and reuse, Vermiculture wastewater treatment.
Landscape and building providing specifically focused environment to support the vision of the retreat center.
Predominantly locally sourced materials and labor.
Following is an overview of how we like to give back to our local and the wider community:
As well as donating to causes as they arise the following are some of our proudest contributions.
Breast cancer NZ
Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust. A local trust which traps introduced predators to stop them from killing our native birds. The Routeburn track is one which our guests regularly walk so we feel proud to be a part of preserving our native bush and wildlife.
Local Community based fundraising efforts. This can range from fairs, our local primary school and kindergarten, businesses etc.
Monthly donations based locals classes run on a volunteer basis by our staff. This can be anything from a yoga class to a nutrition class.
Scholarship programme. An offering which we are very proud of. Throughout the year we offer the opportunity for deserving individuals to come on a full retreat experience, only having to pay for the GST of a normal retreat price.
Work scholar programme. A programme designed for individuals who are looking for work experience in the luxury wellness industry. An 8 week programme where generally young adults come to Aro Ha to volunteer for 7 weeks working in all the different departments at Aro ha and then get to experience a full retreat.
*Images property of Aro Ha