Blog

We are excited to update you on what’s been happening in Golden Bay and with the Project and the Centre development at Onekaka.

Ren Xue Education - The Foundation

The recent Ren Xue Education Course, held in Mōhua/Golden Bay, brought together 30 people in person and 200 online to explore the vision of wisdom-based education. The course fostered connection, heartfelt understanding, and hope for future generations. It was empowering to be part of something that has the potential to create real change in the world by helping people clear ignorance and live in harmony with themselves, with others, and with nature.

This has always been a key part of the vision for the Ren Xue Centre. Yuan Tze shared the importance of the centre serving as a base for the ongoing training and education of teachers, integrating with the wider vision for Ren Xue education and helping it to flourish.

First step in Centre construction - a driveway to the site!

A milestone worth celebrating! On Friday 13 March we invited neighbours, community partners and the local Ren Xue community to celebrate the first construction project marking the beginning of the Ren Xue Centre development. A driveway to the Centre site!

Despite the rain, many came ready to celebrate with a hot drink and cake. We were so pleased with the turnout. What a beautiful reminder of the support and passion from the local community.

Here’s to new beginnings, strong foundations, and the journey ahead.

Preliminary Design renders

In April, architect Hugh Tennent of Tennent Brown Architects presented the preliminary design renders to the Ren Xue Australasia Board, as well as to Yuan Tze and Melissa, receiving strong approval and enthusiasm for the vision and design direction.

Here are some renders that show you the centre in the wider context of the beautiful site in Onekaka and showing the main hall. We are so impressed!

Next steps

The RXAA Board has decided to proceed with the developed design while simultaneously applying for an amendment to the Resource Consent. This amendment will allow for design changes including a new road layout, additional land, and a two-storey building. This work will continue to lay the foundations for the project as funds are raised for construction.

How you can support the Centre development

The Centre will be built in stages, with stages 1a and 1b providing a fully functional facility and accommodation for up to 70 people. These stages are estimated to cost NZ$38 million.

Currently, approximately $5 million has been raised through generous donations, including the support of one founding partner who has committed $500,000 over three years. This contribution has been integral to the work completed so far and has enabled important milestones to be achieved.

However, by November we will need to pause progress if sufficient funding is not available to proceed with the building consent phase.

We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support that has brought the project to this point. As work continues, further donations and partnerships will help carry this vision forward and enable the next stages to unfold. Every contribution, large or small, plays a meaningful part in helping create a centre that can serve generations to come.

If you feel called to contribute, please contact: Cat catherine.alker@renxueaustralasia.org to learn more.

Ren Xue Centre Steering Group

Our wonderful Steering Group, who have guided and supported the project over the last few years, have now dispersed to make space for new structures that can better reflect both the evolving needs of the project and their own skills, capacities, and commitments at this stage.

This transition includes the formation of a dedicated Farm Management Group, who will focus on the day-to-day stewardship, operational planning, and long-term care of the land and farm systems as the project continues to grow and evolve.

We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary commitment, wisdom, and stewardship our Steering Group members have brought to the project. Their generosity, care, and vision have helped shape where we are today, and we value their ongoing support, connection, and presence within the wider community.

Farewell to Rosie Bartlett

Goodbyes are never easy, and it was especially sad to farewell Rosie Bartlett from her role as Centre Project Manager. Rosie has done an outstanding job, working closely with contractors, the Centre Steering Group, planning authorities, and the wider Ren Xue community to help bring the vision of the Centre into being.

It has been a role requiring the balancing of many moving parts, and Rosie has carried it with great skill and dedication. Her ability to build strong working relationships, keep us focused and moving forward, and bring warmth, humour, and kindness to all she did has been truly valued.

We thank Rosie sincerely for all she has contributed and wish her every success and happiness in her future endeavours.

Welcome to Matthew McClymont - Project Manager

Matthew McClymont joined us late last month as Centre Project Manager, on a 6-month contract. Matthew lives in Nelson with his wife Dani and dog Billy. Matthew brings a practical and values-driven approach to the Ren Xue Project Manager role. He has previously led initiatives that connect diverse groups, working alongside iwi, local organisations, and stakeholders to deliver projects that support wellbeing, environmental outcomes, and social cohesion. He is particularly drawn to work that strengthens connection between people, place, and purpose, and looks forward to supporting the growth of the Ren Xue community.   In his free time, you might catch him attempting to play a flute, immersed in a podcast, walking his dog or rucking in the hill behind his home.

Ren Xue Farm update

In February we updated you on the appointment of our new Farm Manager Jeremy Rickett. Jeremy is doing a wonderful job with the support of Steve Lee and the Farm Management Group..

Since February, we’ve sold 70 animals — a strong milestone and a great reflection of the continued growth across the farm.

We’ve also recently introduced another 10 beehives beside the main apple orchard. Not only will they play an important role in improving pollination, but bees also bring incredible balance and vitality to a property like ours. Their impact on productivity and biodiversity is something we deeply value.

Another exciting addition is our brand-new 11m x 4m greenhouse. We’re still exploring the best use for the space, but current ideas include tamarillos and finger limes — with a few other possibilities still being debated. It will be exciting to see what develops over the coming months.

Environmental planting continues to be a major focus as well, with another 1,000 native trees about to go into the ground. These plantings will strengthen shelter, improve biodiversity, and continue enhancing the landscape for the future.

And of course, one of the biggest projects currently underway is the start of the Centre driveway development — a significant step forward that will open up even more opportunities for the property moving ahead.

Ren Xue Villa

It was wonderful to have a full house of guests at the Villa for the 10-day Education Course. We are always delighted to welcome members of the Ren Xue community to stay at the Villa.

If you would like to visit and stay with us in the future, please feel free to get in touch at villa@renxueaustralasia.org.

More information or questions?

Please send any questions, queries or feedback about anything related to the Centre project to info@renxueaustralasia.org 

Wow, it feels like a lot has been happening since the last newsletter went out to you all. Below is a summary of happenings with the Ren Xue Centre Project:

Centre design update 

Planning is progressing well with the Architectural Team underway, which includes the engagement of many different consultants.

In January, a meeting was arranged with architect Hugh Tennent, Yuan Tze, Melissa, Rosie and Cat to visit Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Otaki, Wellington. The meeting created an opportunity to ensure the architectural team has a solid understanding of Ren Xue principles to support their design of the Ren Xue Centre.

It was a very worthwhile day, allowing us to see many of the elements that could be used in the design for the Ren Xue Centre. It was also very important to connect Hugh and Yuan Tze.

The planning has now moved from the concept design to the preliminary design, which is required before we begin on the detailed design. Below is a sneak preview.

Feasibility Study 

A Feasibility Study for the planning and development of the Centre has been completed and received by the Steering Group and the RXAA Board. Much gratitude is owed to the donor, who requested this be undertaken. This will be a very useful document as we move into the operation planning for the Centre.

Strategic planning

Communications, Volunteer and Fundraising strategies and implementation plans have been drafted to inform our work programme for 2026/27. Many members of the Ren Xue community have had input into these documents and we thank you to everyone involved. We really appreciate your ongoing support and interest in the project.

Website

We now have a new website for the Centre Ren Xue Centre Australasia - Home. We are still refining some things, and we welcome any feedback you have.

What would you like to see there? Send your feedback to: info@renxueaustralasia.org

What’s coming up?

We will be focusing on progressing the planning for a staged approach to the Centre construction. We will keep you updated as this develops, so watch this space!

The road from the State Highway across the Farm to the Centre site is due to start construction in the first week of March. This is exciting as it will be our first physical construction work for the project.

Planning permission from Tasman Council is being prepared to incorporate changes to the design and layout, and activities to include education as a focus of the Centre.

As we move from vision and design into the construction phase, we invite you to help make the Ren Xue Centre a reality. Your financial partnership would play a vital role in bringing this project to life. If you feel called to contribute, please contact: Cat catherine.alker@renxueaustralasia.org or Rosie rosie.bartlett@renxueaustralasia.org to learn more.

Staff

We welcomed Claire Stewart to our team last year to help us with some of the endless administration that a project like this seems to generate. Claire is amazing, super fast at processing anything we ask of her and has a keen interest in Ren Xue and learning from our team (thanks especially to Steve Campbell and Cat). Claire is a mum of two (very cute) kids, lives in Auckland and manages to give us 10 hours per week of her precious time.

Ren Xue Farm update

We are excited for our 2022-2026 previous Farm Manager,  Steve Lee and fellow farmer Jackie Blunt to begin their new adventure managing a farm of their own. Lucky for us, they are still around and fully supportive of the Project, including the Farm and the Centre development.  The project would not be where it is today without their incredible commitment, hard work and passion for Ren Xue and the Project.

Many of you have spent time on the farm gaining a greater appreciation of the Project and what’s involved with managing a Ren Xue Farm in Mohua/Golden Bay, New Zealand. Recently, many people have helped Steve and Jackie and the animals in their transition between farms, we would especially like to thank Renee, Genevieve, Marie-Laure, Tim, Leo, Verena, Forest, Mariette, Rainer, Findal, Helen, Cat, Rosie, Steve C, Trina, Mary and Stewart, Emily, Nigel and Charlie, Simon and Jeanne, Gui and his girls, Debby Sanders and family, Jackie’s cousin Kate and husband Rick, and Ariel. Your efforts, friendship and connections are so much appreciated. 

We have recently appointed a new Farm Manager, Jeremy Rickett. Jeremy is a local Golden Bay farmer and is well known and liked by Steve and Jackie, who will support him in his role. Welcome Jeremy!

Villa update

We have a new email address for Villa enquiries: villa@renxueaustralasia.org

Tim Langley is helping to manage things at the Villa. You can contact him at the email address above.

More information or questions

As we work on our communications strategy, we want to ensure that everyone who has questions or would like more information on the project has direct contact with our team.

Please feel free to make contact with us through info@renxueaustralasia.org

The Ren Xue community is a very generous one. Many of you helped us complete the Ren Xue Villa (June 2025 Blog) and have attended native tree planting events on the Ren Xue farm (May 2025 Blog). Whilst we appreciate all the kind offers from those wishing to help, ensuring we get it right is important to us. A well-run volunteer programme should support and enhance the RXCA, as well as provide meaningful opportunities for those who volunteer their time, skills and experience.

For that reason, Sarah Holman of Breeze Consulting Ltd in Nelson has been engaged to draft a Volunteer Strategy and Action Plan for us. She has extensive experience in strategy development as well as property. Sarah and her family also own a property in Golden Bay and visit regularly.

When the Strategy is complete, we will share it with you via the website.

In the meantime, there will be Volunteer Tree planting opportunities on the Farm and gardening opportunities at the Villa, so continue to watch this space for information.

Please note we are unable to offer free board and lodging in exchange for volunteering. Doing so puts us at risk of being subject to employment obligations under New Zealand law. We do have the recently renovated Villa on the Ren Xue Farm which provides accommodation for a modest cost. Please contact Sharon at sharon.munro@renxueaustralasia.org for more information if you are interested.

Arthouse Architects and Tennent Brown Architects have been engaged as lead designers to progress the Ren Xue Centre project in Onekaka, Golden Bay. The vision for the  Centre is to create a home for the Ren Xue community. It will be a retreat and multi-purpose centre accommodating up to 200 people. Cat Alker explained, “We looked for architects with a depth of skill and experience whose values and working style could align with the project's spiritual and community-based vision, who could offer authentic sustainable design practices, and who we could be confident would consider the impact on the local community”. The process for choosing an architect for this special project was carried out with great care in keeping with the uniqueness of the project. It’s the first physical home for Ren Xue and a place to achieve the mission of uplifting our lives and helping others.  We feel confident that the design team will bring diverse skills, experience, sustainable design practices, local knowledge and sensitivity to the very special location of the site and the community it serves. Arthouse ArchitectsArthouse Architects | Residential & commercial architectural design. is a Nelson based company, and Tennent Brown Projects | Tennent Brown Architects is based in Wellington. Together, they provide a commitment to understanding Ren Xue principles, have relevant experience of creating buildings that reflect and nurture spiritual practices, local knowledge, and cultural alignment with the Centre Project. The Bodhinyanarama Monastery | Tennent Brown Architects has been a previous project of Tennent Brown Architects that shows their close alignment and understanding of designing spaces for spiritual practices. The lead designer’s responsibilities include architecture, co-ordinating consultants, legal compliance, stakeholder management and communications. Construction of the project is expected to start in December 2026.Ren Xue Australasia Charitable Trust wishes to acknowledge the many people who have contributed to the development of the Centre Project to date. These include  Steve Campbell from Steve Campbell Design Home - Steve Campbell Design, who collated input from the Ren Xue community to develop the brief, and Rua Sargent of Kaupapa Projects Home | Kaupapa Projects | Quantity Surveying in Nelson New Zealand, a Nelson-based construction consultancy firm, who is providing construction and pricing process expertise.

On Saturday, the 14th of September, 30 people gathered at Kiri’s beautiful venue in Golden Bay for a special Heart Healing Workshop. The group was a wonderful mix of beginners and long-time practitioners, all coming together with open hearts and a shared intention to deepen healing and transformation.

This event was the fruit of collaboration between local Ren Xue teachers, weaving their skills and experience into a day that truly touched everyone who attended. The program flowed with Yuan Gong practice, heart-based teachings, guided meditations, healing stories, group Qi healing, and Yuan Ming sessions — a combination that supported genuine inner change and created a nourishing Qi field of joy and gratitude.

The inspiration for the workshop came from Marie-Laure, who shared: “I’ve long been inspired to create a workshop centred on the heart and to develop Yuan Ming as a cornerstone of the Healing Centre within the Ren Xue Centre in Golden Bay, drawing on the teachers’ skills and experience. ”The day beautifully reflected this vision. In the afternoon, participants also had the opportunity to book private Yuan Ming sessions with the teachers, and every space was quickly filled. The feedback from the group was full of warmth—people spoke of feeling lighter, more open, and deeply connected. Smiles filled the room, and the sense of gratitude was shared by all. A heartfelt thank you to the teaching team and to every participant who joined and contributed to making this journey to the heart so special.