Gaye and I are both writers, Gaye is a storyteller and published novelist. We have both spent time at writing retreats and know the value of getting away to somewhere else, to focus purely on your writing. We understand too, the balance between solitude and company.
We supply the fully equipped cottage, coffee, tea, places to write, with access to Wi-Fi internet connection. We are close to walks, or just enjoy our small farm sitting by the stream and the award winning nearby Clareville Bakery Café. We can pick you up from the Carterton railway station if you come from Wellington by train.
We have one writer at a time and are open from September to May. Our cost is $80 per night for stays of between 7 and 10 days. Because we offer writers a reduced fee from our usual B&B rate, we have to balance acceptance of writers with our own sustainability of income. Therefore applications are subject to what other bookings we have in place.
If you are interested in a writers retreat please complete the form below and tell us a bit about the project you are wanting to work on.
“I have just returned from 3 days of writing and planning facilitated by a wonderful couple Gaye and Michael.
Check out www.liveliketheriverflows.com which is where I found them. You are in a peaceful place, warmly welcomed and left to immerse yourself in your writing. Give yourself the gift of some focused time in the Wairarapa. Highly recommend it.” Lynn
April 2023 – Te Ao O Te Pūkeko Writer in Residence
In partnership with NZ Pacific Studio’s and Hurunui-O Rangi Marae we are pleased to be hosting Natasha Lampard (Whakatōhea, Ngāpuhi, Pākehā)for our inaugural Te Ao Te O Pūkeko Residency for tangata whenua creatives.
Natasha is co-founder and director of Webstock, co-founder of Lil Regie, and creator of Extraordinary Tales of Strength & Daring. She was a ‘Women of Influence Award’ finalist, a Gold Award finalist, and an ‘Inspire Wellington Ambassador’ for her services to Pōneke.
A graduate of the International Institute of Modern Letters (IIML) at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University, she was awarded a Master of Arts in Creative Writing with Distinction. She is also the recipient of the Letteri Family Project Scholarship and has been published in Headland, Turbine Kapohau, and The Spinoff.
During her two-week residency, Natasha is working on her manuscript on motherhood, loss, and language/identity.
March 2023 Anna Jarrett – writer’s retreat
Anna Jarrett is an Australian storyteller, consultant, writer, photographer, educator and outdoor guide. Her passion for stories, nature, community and wild adventures has led Anna across Australia and around the world, sharing tales and making friends through stories for thirty five years. Her international reputation as an inspirational events speaker and workshop facilitator extends to Singapore, India, New Zealand and the U.S.A.
Anna is Writer in Residence at ‘Live Like the River Flows’ for two weeks in March 2023, creating a new body of work, ‘Story Ecology’, exploring our relationship with Mother Earth, our Home, through photography, sound recording, poetry, musings and storytelling.
Anna will be performing
April 2023 Writer in residence – in Conjunction with New Pacific Studios.
We look forward to hosting a Pacific Studios ‘creative’ in residence in the second half of April. More details to follow.
Gaye and I are pleased to announce our partnership with NZ Pacific Studio (NZPS) and to be a place of residency for artists both local and international. NZPS started in 2001 with over 500 artists having taken residencies with them. In 2018 they had to move out of their base, the historic Mount Bruce Normandell house. We are very pleased to be one the residencies they are able to match artists with. You can learn more about them and check out their fellowships. NZ Pacific Studio.
Live Like The River Flows 