About Pumula
Pumula’s story is a long time in the making. As managing director of Brookdale Health Hydro in South Africa for 25 years, Marilyn had always wanted to establish her own retreat. Something intimate, rooted in nature – a tranquil, healing space where you leave feeling at peace but energised and revitalised. The experience is encapsulated in the name Pumula a Zulu word meaning ‘a place to pause’. It took a shift halfway around the world, 3 years in New Zealand and turning 50 before it all fell into place.
We have found our place on the planet. We were drawn to the rugged beauty of the west coast, the surf and are privileged to be located in the shadow of the majestic Karioi. Nature sustains us and we aim to give back. Our first action was to plant 4,000 native trees as we seek to build back the forest. The sauna and studio have been built with natural materials, sunlight is our power source, and we are utilising sawdust from local mills in our compost loos. We’ve also removed 20 pines, and the rest will fire the sauna over time. Our bees will benefit the newly planted orchard and efforts to control invasive plants and pest animals is ongoing.
“We are passionate about creating experiences that reconnect people with their bodies, breath and the land.”
The earth conscious community was another major reason for choosing Raglan. So, we’ve been thrilled to see locals enjoying the space as whanau, friends, and work teams.
We look forward to having you visit Pumula,
Marilyn, Dave, Gemma, Catelyn and Amber
