Leave the world behind
Next Island Time Retreat: Jan/Feb, 2026
Reconnect with the pleasures and challenges of stylish writing at this exclusive retreat hosted by international writing expert Helen Sword on New Zealand’s beautiful Waiheke Island, ranked #5 in Travel and Leisure’s 2018 list of “The World’s Best Islands.” Whether you aspire to make progress on a specific project or are seeking fresh inspiration, this intimate gathering will help you replenish your creative energies, refocus your ambitions, and hone your writing skills.
Participant numbers are limited, so book early to secure your place.
If you missed out in 2025, we’d love to see you in 2026.
Take a virtual tour of Helen’s Island Time 2024.
What is Island Time?
Island Time is a 7-day, 6-night onsite writing retreat for academic, professional, and creative writers who are looking for a change of venue, style, and heart. Join Helen and an exclusive cohort of fellow writers on gorgeous Waiheke Island for daily workshops, individual coaching, and plenty of focused writing time.
The journey
Wave goodbye to the mainland as your ferry slips away from the passenger wharf in downtown Auckland to start its thirty-five minute voyage across the sparkling Waitemata Harbour to Waiheke Island. You’ll pass brooding volcanic islands, jaunty sailboats, and lonely buoys as the city skyline recedes from view; if you’re lucky, you may even spot a pod of dolphins or a family of orcas out chasing stingrays. We’ll welcome you at Matiatia and will transport you to your accommodation. As your driver heads up the road from the wharf at Matiatia, you may notice a large sign proclaiming Waiheke’s unofficial motto: Slow Down You’re Here!
The venue
Daily workshops and coaching sessions will be held in a tropical garden setting in beautiful Palm Beach, just across the road from the white sands and turquoise waters of one of the Waiheke Island’s most delightful swimming beaches. You’ll share a comfortable beach house or apartment with one or two other retreat participants, with your own private bedroom and bathroom adjoining congenial public spaces. We’ll supply all of your daily meals and snacks, unless you want to sneak out to try some of Waiheke’s many local eateries.
The program
You’ll be encouraged to indulge in restorative retreat activities such as walks, swims, and collegial conversations over a cup of tea or a glass of wine — but mostly, you’re here to write! Your facilitator, international writing expert Helen Sword, has designed a program guaranteed to broaden and deepen your pleasure in writing while also sharpening your skills. Your daily schedule will include workshops and discussions on topics ranging from productivity to pleasure, as well as individual coaching with Helen and plenty of focused writing time. On Day 4, Helen will lead you on an all-day “Writing and Walking” excursion across the island from tranquil Rocky Bay to gorgeous Onetangi Beach, with lunch en route at a spectacular vineyard restaurant.
Meet your facilitator
Greetings! I’m Helen Sword, a scholar, poet, teacher, and the author of four research-based books on writing and writers. I’ve helped thousands of writers find new pleasure and satisfaction in writing, and I’d love to help you, too. Join me on Waiheke Island — one of my favorite places in the world — for a week of regenerative, joyful, craft-focused writing time and conversations about writing. (My other favorite place? Switzerland, of course!)
Please contact me to book a free Zoom consultation if you’d like to discuss whether Island Time would be right for you.
Island Time timetable
day 1: arrival
Arrive at your Palm Beach accommodation on Sunday afternoon and settle in, then join Helen and your fellow retreaters for a meet-and-greet over drinks and dinner. We look forward to hearing all about your goals and aspirations for the week!
days 2-6: retreat
9:00 am – 1:00 pm: Writing time
1:00 - 2:oo pm: Lunch
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Workshops and small-group coaching
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Writing time / free time
7:00 pm: Dinner
Excursion day
On Day 4 (weather dependent) we’ll embark on an all-day “Writing and Walking” workshop/excursion across the heart of the island. We’ll start in tranquil Rocky Bay, ascend through tropical bushland to a spectacular vineyard restaurant, and finish up with an ice cream and a swim at Onetangi Beach — a magical day!
day 7: departure
Pack up and check out of your accommodation by 10 am on Saturday. If you don’t need to rush off to make a travel connection, you’re invited to join Helen and your fellow retreaters for a morning coffee to reflect on the week and say your final farewells.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see your question answered here? Contact us for more information.
Program
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Helen specializes in working with academic and professional writers; however, all writers are welcome!
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Rather than setting the program in advance, Helen will design bespoke workshops and guided discussions each day based on the participants’ interests and other writing-related issues as they arise, drawing from her extensive repertoire on topics including productivity, pleasure, creativity, and craft. (On the Excursion Day, the workshop topic is “Writing and Walking”).
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Helen will run daily coaching sessions to ensure that every retreat participant receives individual feedback and writing advice. You’ll also have ample opportunities to chat informally with Helen over meals, on walks, and during breaks.
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This is your retreat, and you are welcome to spend your time however you wish. We only ask that you let us know in advance if you’re planning to skip a particular workshop or small-group coaching session, so that we don’t sit around waiting for you.
Logistics
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Waiheke Island is New Zealand’s fifth largest island and can be reached via a 35-minute ferry ride from central Auckland. We’ll pick you up at the passenger terminal at Matiatia and transport you to Palm Beach, a 10-minute drive away. It’s also possible to bring your own car to the island via the car ferry from central Auckland or Half Moon Bay to Kennedy Point.
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Besides writing, you mean? Waiheke Island is home to dozens of boutique wineries and an array of beautiful beaches, easily accessible by public transportation and scenic hiking trails. Summer on Waiheke is idyllic; you can mingle with local holidaymakers on the beaches and in the bays, enjoying activities ranging from swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddle-boarding to fishing, golf, and horseback riding.
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Waiheke Island is criss-crossed by walking tracks and ringed by beaches, not all of which are fully accessible. There are, however, plenty of accommodation and transport options available for people with mobility issues. You’ll need to be able to ascend at least one flight of stairs to reach our daily workshop venue.
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The all-day excursion is fully accessible to all: you can hike the entire route on foot, travel to the lunch venue and Onetangi Beach by car or taxi, or combine the two options to suit your own activity level.
Pricing
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The cost of the retreat includes:
A private room with your own bathroom in an airy apartment or beach house just a few minutes’ walk from Palm Beach and the retreat venue. You may share the main living area and kitchen with one or two other retreaters. (See Charm on Palm and 54 Below; bedrooms will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis).
Self-catered breakfast every morning in your accommodation; shared lunch with the other retreat participants; home-cooked or catered dinners every evening except Wednesday. (Please let us know of any dietary requirements).
All workshops, coaching, and excursions.
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All formal retreat activities such as workshops and small-group coaching are open to paid participants only. However, if you’d like to bring along a non-retreating friend or family member, we may be able to accommodate them for an additional fee. Please contact us to discuss your needs.
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Discounts:
Retreat alumni and WriteSPACE Studio annual members qualify for a 10% discount ($4950).
Residents of New Zealand and Australia qualify for discounted pricing via our Enabling Better Writers Australasia program:
NZD $5500/$4950 +GST for NZ residents.
AUD $5500/$4950 for Australian residents.
Flexible payment plan:
We know that funding can be tight! Contact us if you would like to book now and pay in instalments. All the usual Terms and Conditions apply.
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If you have to cancel your enrolment at the last minute, you can avoid incurring a cancellation penalty by finding someone else to take your place. Please see our Terms and Conditions page, and contact us if you have any questions.
Join us for Island Time!
Jan/Feb 2026
Regular price: $5500/$4950*
Participant numbers are limited, so book early to secure your place.
We’d love to see you in 2026.
*Price is in US dollars and is payable by credit card, PayPal, or direct banking. See also Terms & Conditions.
Retreat alumni and WriteSPACE Studio annual members take 10% off the regular retreat price ($4950)
The following pricing is available for residents of New Zealand and Australia:
NZD $5500/$4950 + GST (for NZ residents only)
AUD $5500/$4950 (for Australian residents only)