A vibrant new initiative blending spirituality, tourism, and wellbeing made its debut in Rotorua this past week, as the city hosted its inaugural 8-Day Wellness Programme from Sunday 11 May to Sunday 18 May 2025.
The event, a collaborative effort between local tourism platform Look After Me and the Hindu Heritage Centre, delivered a rich, inclusive week of wellness experiences catering to all ages, backgrounds, and budgets.
From yoga and meditation to sound healing, addiction support, and cultural connection, the event celebrated holistic wellbeing in a faith-friendly and welcoming environment.
“We’ve created a space where people can explore wellness practices aligned with their personal values and beliefs,” said Dr Julia Anne, award-winning scientist turned entrepreneur, and lead organiser of the event.
Participants—103 in total—came from across the North Island, with 80% local and 20% from places like Tokoroa, Whakatāne, Hamilton, and Warkworth. Ages ranged from 8 to over 70, with women making up over 90% of the attendees. Ethnicities included Māori, Indian, Colombian, British, American, German, and Pacific Islander communities.
Highlights of the week included:
• Yoga, meditation and breathwork with experienced instructors such as Nilamani Wright, Amy Jozwiak, Susannah Engle, and others.
• Healing experiences such as sound journeys, kirtan, chanting, ecstatic dance, and the unique Jibberish Meditation, which left participants feeling emotionally unburdened and reconnected.
• Wellness Market featuring rongoā Māori, hydrogen water, cacao, balms, detox remedies, and natural health products.
• Addiction support workshops with James Dear and talks by wellness speakers like Diane Rosenberg.
• Senior-focused activities, including mobility classes with Age Concern Rotorua.
• Massage and therapies through partnerships with local spas including Secret Spot, Polynesian Spa and Wai Ariki Spa.
• Volunteering opportunities allowing participants to trade their time for wellness sessions.
Opening on Mother’s Day, the programme was also a personal tribute by Dr Julia Anne to her late mother and early supporter, Lois Connelly. The event realises a long-held humanitarian vision Dr Julia first imagined in 2008: a world united in its diversity through wellness and self-care.
“This feels like the culmination of a dream,” said Julia. “The dream only became reality thanks to the support of Dr Guna Magesan, President of the Hindu Council of New Zealand and cornerstone investor in Look After Me.”
The newly refurbished Hindu Heritage Centre, opened in May 2024, was the event’s spiritual and logistical heart—providing a hub for classes, gatherings, and shared meals made from produce grown in the Centre’s community garden.
“The Centre has always been about service,” said Dr Magesan. “Hosting Wellness Week is a natural extension of that, supporting Rotorua as a destination for holistic healing and spiritual tourism.”
One of the standout moments of Wellness Week was the uplifting performance by the Mantra Band, whose soulful kirtan and group chanting resonated deeply with participants and organisers alike. Their powerful fusion of music and spirituality created an atmosphere of unity and joy that moved many to tears. So profound was their impact that Dr Guna Magesan, President of the Hindu Council of New Zealand, personally invited the group to perform at DharmaFest, a major cultural and spiritual festival to be held later this year.
Local yoga teacher Nilamani Wright called it a “sanctuary for like-minded souls.” Participant Rob Bailey from Warkworth described the weekend as “brilliant,” while Tauranga visitor Alison Lawrence called it “enlightening, calming and energising.”
With heartfelt feedback pouring in—from “the best day ever” to “I loved every second”—organisers say this is just the beginning. Plans are already in motion for future events, with the aim of making Rotorua a leading wellness destination in Aotearoa.
“We’ve created something that brought people together in harmony—through movement, sound, stillness and service,” said Julia. “This was more than a wellness event. It was a celebration of being human.”

Media Contact:
Dr Julia Anne
Founder – Look After Me
Email: julia@lookafterme.co.nz
Freephone: 0800 526 123
Mobile: 021 511 606
HINDU HERITAGE CENTRE, ROTORUA
(A division of Hindu Council of New Zealand: Charities Commission Regd No: CC54548; Donee status from IRD)
225 Malfroy Road, Utuhina, Rotorua, New Zealand
Email: hhc.rotorua@gmail.com