about us

Saint Isaac’s is a place of prayer
overlooking Hokianga–nui–a–Kupe.

Our Origin

Founded in 1974 by Reverend Clementina Gordon, Saint Isaac’s was established in 1982 as an Ecumenical Christian Trust with both the Anglican and Catholic Bishops of Auckland appointing a trustee. Taha Maori is also represented. There have been many large-hearted people over the years who have served either as Trustee or Kaitiaki. Our current Kaitiaki Maranú Gascoigne TSSF.

Our Values

Saint Isaac’s strives to be at the still centre, where you can find peace and tranquility. A space where the life of prayer for a suffering world finds expression.
Christ so often searched out a quiet place in whenua/nature and many of his followers have continued this search. Today, this pattern of contemplative prayer is in its deepest sense, the pattern of Saint Isaac’s Retreat.

Maranu
“It is an enormous privilage to serve as Kaitiaki here at St. Isaac’s Retreat House. I am very accumstomed to the rythms of prayer within the monastric tradition of the Anglican Church. Visiting here for the first time in 2019 my return was far sooner than expected. I was about to travel through 6 different countries when the pandamic changed the course of my path. I love the metaphor of Labyrinth and this turn was not one that I had planned. I call that providence and God’s work in my life. Now in my fifth year I am humbled to be living here at St. Isaac’s and holding the steady rhythm between prayer and hospitality that underpins so many retreat houses around the world.
I hope that you find by exploring this website a nudging that sparks your curiosity or allows for that ‘ahah’ moment. We look forward to hearing from you as you explore the possibilty of spending time with us. When I arrived, the day before lockdown 2020 Sr. Anne SLG who has lived here for more than 30 years gave me a small card, ‘GRATITUDE’. There is not a day that goes by when I am not filled with a delighful gratitude.” I end with a quote from Dag Hammarskjöld
“For all that has been, thanks – for all that shall be, yes. ”
Kaitiaki Maranú Gascoigne TSSF