Soak. Write. Heal. New Zealand

Soak. Write. Heal. 

Nurturing mind, body and soul for creative people

Ideal for singles, couples or small groups of writers.

Start with a soak, then a creative writing session in Rotorua.

Our Soak, Write, Heal sessions are for busy people who are looking for a way to fast-track their creative thinking.

We help you leverage the awe-inspiring power of nature, combined with wisdom and knowledge. 

STAGE ONE: THE SOAK 2 - 3.30 PM

Moving into a quiet and thoughtful phase, writers will either leave from the Hindu Heritage Centre meeting point and self-drive (or be driven) the 3 - 6 km to one of our recommended inner city Thermal Pool or Hot Tub experiences. 

To accentuate your healing experience - we've cherry-picked our Top 3 Spa options for different kinds of writers:

We encourage our guests to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of Rotorua - our geothermal paradise.

Please read carefully and choose the option that best suits your physical mobility, transport options and budget. 

Visit the webpages to help make your decision but please book with us so you get access to:

(1) Our 7 Step Educational Portal - Masterclasses for writers. These are co-taught by NZ Fiction Writers like Catherine Chidgey, Fiona Farrell and Diane Brown. We've got Memoir expert Charlotte Squire and Self- publishing Book marketing Guru Tom E Moffatt and 15 others. We give you forever access to these especially recorded sessions and set and lead you a 2000 - 5000 short story Writer's Challenge. 

(2) Our special maps, tips and guidelines to make the most of your writers lounge at the venue. We advise you where the best nooks and crannies to relax with the best lake or forest and river views.  

(3) A local's walking guide to places of cultural and artistic interest in the area - especially the new Lakefront Promenade, Yoga Jetties, Flower and Sculpture Gardens, Forest Bathe-ing Hot Spots, and other Guide Julia's Best 

(4) Access to our heavily discounted Transport and Van service

(5) Fun, Writer's Bonuses like the Best 20 Movie List for writers

(6) Invitation to join our Writer's Circle or be matched with one of our Book Coaches. 

STEP ONE: CHOOSE A SPA OR HOT POOL SESSION 

(1) WRITER'S IN THE FOREST: With Spa Host Secret Spot Hot Tubs 

Your Hot Tub is nestled on the fringes of the stunning Whakarewarewa Forest (with its towering Redwoods)

• Relax in your own cedar hot tub surrounded by ferns
• Suits writers who are physically able to climb in and out of a hot tub (no rails)
• And yes! they have a call-bell service, to bring your drinks, right to the Hot Tub!
• Celebrate your Own Look After Me moment and have the Tub all to yourself
• Or be social and share (max 4 writers per Hot Tub)
• Before or after your soak, enjoy drinks and nibbly things.... spend some journal writing time, under the canopy, by the fire or canoodling in a Shinny Dip with your besties.
  
• Our Writers in The Forest Package comes with local, handy maps and guides of places you can go go walking and/or Forest Bathe-ing on the nearby Te Ahi Ahi. This gorgeous river gorge is part of the NZ Cycle Trail Network) and is a refreshing sanctuary.

(2) LAKESIDE LUXURY: With our Spa Host -  The Polynesian Spa Deluxe Pools 

If a lakeside view fills you up, mesmerise and day dream the afternoon away at The Polynesian Spa. Yes, the world class one.

• Incredibly soothing sitting in waterside thermal pools - lots of pools with slightly varying temperatures
• Indulgent luxury and a worthwhile "look after me, myself and I" experience
• The Polynesian Spa offers a collection of rock pools, thermal bathing, cold plunge pool, hydrotherapy options
• Nestled right on the edges of the lake Rotorua - incredibly peaceful. Take as long as you like.
• After your soak, reconvene in the private lounge space or cafeteria for afternoon tea and journal writing and reflection.
• Before or after your refreshments, enjoy walking through the nearby sculpture gardens around the Arts Village or explore the new Art Installations and Yoga Jetties at the completely refurbished Rotorua Lakefont Development. 

(3)  REGENERATIVE WELLBEING EXPERIENCE at Wai Ariki Spa

• Take a deep dive into your own self-healing practice
• Bathe in mineral rich, deeply restorative waters overlooking Lake Rotorua, towards Mokoia Island 
• Our ultimate, restorative "look after Me" package, we invite you to take a Restorative Journey at a place called Chiefly Waters. Or Wai Ariki.
• The Restoration Journey is also known by our local Maori as ""Wai Whaka ora". Wai = water. Whaka ora = means to be well.
• Our Spa partner offers a deeply personal experience, soothing your mind, body and soul
• Follow a pathway of unforgettable spa and healing experiences that move you from heat to cool, mud to water and air to steam
• Unique, therapeutic, relaxing and multi-sensory - you'll restore with access to waterfalls, soaking, mud packs and hydrotherapy (jets)
  
• The healing and self-healing practices are drawn from the legacy of local Maori (Ngāti Whakaue) customs, culture and values about self-care, self-love and divinity.
  
• Maximise the wellbeing benefits of the natural environment, from the heavens to the waters, and the earth. 
• After your soak, reconvene in the beautiful cafe, for afternoon tea and journal writing.
  

This Soak. Write. Heal Afternoon programme is an integral parts of the Thee Write Away Writer's Retreat. We personalise every retreat. 

STAGE TWO: WRITING 3.30 - 4.30 PM

Stake out your writer's pad at anyone of our Spa Host Venues for an hour of uninterupted writing or journalling time.

Every Ticket to Soak. Write. Heal also gives you full and forever access to our Educational Portal.

Our Masterclasses are taught by NZ Fiction Authors and Tutors like Catherine Chidgey, Fiona Farrell and Diane Brown. We've got Memoir expert Charlotte Squire and Self-publishing Book expert Vicki Arnott and others. 

We give you access to these especially recorded sessions, 7 Days before you come soaking with us.

We set you up and lead you a 2000 - 5000 short story Writer's Challenge: Create a Character, Choose a Room/place, Involve an Object and write a story. 

❖ WELCOME:  A warm welcome from out-going Mayor of Rotorua, Her Worship Steve Chadwick

❖  WHO: Being your own legend: Keynote with Shelly Davies 

❖  WHO: Giving your characters an authentic voice with Amy Scott 

❖  WHERE: Location, location, location - bring your stories to life with Fiona Farrell 

❖  WHY? Giving objects power with Catherine Chidgey 

❖  WHY? Looking After Me as a writer - Mind, Body &  Soul, with Julia Anne 

❖  HOW? How to write a short story with Diane Brown 

❖  HOW: Get started on your Memoir with Charlotte Squire 

❖  HOW: Masterfully bring your story to life with Vicki Arnott

STAGE 3: HEAL

Each of our healing sessions come with options to experiment with techniques like yoga, meditation and behavioral therapies or counselling etc. 

About Our facilitators

Meet Dr Julia Anne

Dr Julia Anne, is an award-winning scientist, writer and entrepreneur. 

She’s also a performance poet and author of the creative non-fiction stories: Secret Diary of an Entrepreneur, Secret Diary of a Writer & Secret Diary of a Woman. 

Julia has nearly 30 years of experience writing across many genres and styles: mainly business, PR, literary tourism, the Shared Access Economy, plant molecular biology and creative. 

As Founder and Managing Director of the 'Look After Me' Accommodation Network, during Covid-19, Julia pivoted the company and has created retreats, live events and educational experiences for writers. 

All events, but especially this Soak. Write. Heal Event honour our 'look after me' philosophy around wellbeing.

As Facilitator, Julia will provide all writers with access to creative writing lessons, taileoed for your writer's journey.

Passionate about looking after people, as a mindfulness and meditation practitioner for about 30 years, Julia shares her quick, practical and easy mindfulness, breathing and stretching techniques that are helpful for creative people. 

Julia will also offer a self-care group therapy session, aligning chakras (the 7 wheels of energy in the body), and connecting with your higher self as a way to approach difficult, painful, and highly charged experiences without re-traumatizing yourself. 

Talented Tutors, Spirited writers

We offer a supportive, uplifting community, with talented Tutors and spirited writers. 

Our Masterclasses have been created by local, and national writers, tutors and authors. 

Our writer learners ,of all ages, stages and genres. 

Some of our writers are children, others are grandmothers, aunties, Mums , Koros, Nephews, Grandads, our sisters and daughters who might be visiting Rotorua from overseas or other parts of New Zealand. 

We believe anyone can be a story teller.

This Soak. Write. Heal sessions can be extended by attending the Wednesday morning programmes, Eat. Write. Heal - if you wanted a full day experience. . 

Our Wednesday Writer's programme is part of our Thee Write Away Writer's Retreat Itinerary.

About Rotorua

Rotorua is New Zealand's most celebrated geothermal valley, so it's where writers come to soak, write, learn, eat, play, stay and heal.

It’s also the home of the Thee Write Away retreats which brings local, national and international writers to Rotorua to celebrate words, stories and ideas.

If you plan to stay a few days on either side of Eat. Write. Heal., we'll share our local secrets of the most stunning lakes, endearing wildlife, historical architecture, fantastic bookshops and mouth-watering restaurants.

Need a place to stay? 

No problem. Look After Me will look after you. 

We're both an events and accommodation network, so we know safe and comfortable places to stay in Rotorua. Make a note in the comments, and we'll send you separate information about bed and breakfasts, homestays, self-contained units, holiday houses or lodges suitable for writers coming to this event.  

Soak. Write. Heal.

Our time together will be an immersive experience of soaking, writing, story telling and connection.

We'll nourish our deepest self, fill our inner well of inspiration and tap into creativity and joy. 

Find your tribe.

Free your voice

Tell your stories! 

Head over to our Thee Write Away information page to hear more about our multi-day writer's retreats.

Thanks to Our Supporters, Suppliers, Venues, Caterers, Tourism Family and Funding

We are grateful to all the tutors, individuals, organisations and businesses who support this and our other events for writers, with trusted customer service experience, funding, logistics, risk-management, catering, venues, photography, marketing, in-kind and cash contributions or sponsorship. 

Thank you!

Please note: Funding partners and preferred suppliers for our 2024-2027 events are still being finalised. Sponsorships and partnerships are being secured, so this may change slightly. 

If you are interested in meeting and supporting our local or visiting writers - then please join our Writer's Circle Eat. Write Heal sessions. 

For all our new writers and those discovering Look After Me for the first time - welcome to our community! 

We are writers, authors, publishers, booksellers and tutors, private businesses, council owned organisations and national funding bodies, accommodation hosts and bespoke tourism operatores who have come together to support story telling and Literary Tourism in New Zealand.  

The Look After Me team loves creating, hosting or being involved in memorable, enjoyable events, day trips, retreats and experiences for writers in New Zealand communities.

Start with a Soak. Write. Heal 1/2 Day trip or start day-dreaming about a 7 day Thee Write Away Writer's Retreat in Rotorua.