Lyttelton Harbour Retreat

Lyttelton Harbour Retreat David Mason has built a modest retreat on his property in Governors Bay which comprises a cluster of small eco-chalets nestled above sumptuous views over Lyttelton Harbour.

In his words He established the retreat, named The Inner Peace Sanctuary:

"To give people a place to stay so they could step out of their lives in order to re-evaluate their circumstances and decide on a plan to go back to their lives and make the changes they would like, to have the life they require".

The chalets are small, being approximately 3.6m x 5.7m downstairs with a loft bed space and their own shower and toilet and kitchen facilities. The chalets are currently rented out longer-term to help David cover the costs of financing the project though he plans to convert them to short-stay retreat accommodation in line with his original aim as he can afford to and as demand for retreat space increases.

Andrew managed to build each chalet for around $16,000 by doing the work himself, using recycled building materials as much as possible, making his own joinery and "being a bit innovative like using clay to line each chalet".

He has only accepted tenants who have a spiritual outlook on life and as a result notes that the property has become a mini spiritual community. David observes that the tenants seem to need this kind of place to stay as they are mostly in transition in their own lives and need a relaxed and un-pressured place to be while they adjust to those changes.

David applied for a loan from Prometheus in late 2006 to re-finance this project as his original private loan needed to be repaid. Given the supportive and nurturing aims of this sanctuary and its beautiful realisation through David's craftsmanship we were delighted to provide that support.