Upcoming events
at the lodge or in our nearby communities
Writer’s Retreat with Paula Morris
LAST TWO ROOMS!
This September, join award-winning writer Paula Morris for a weekend of writing, reading and talking about craft at the luxury Te Karaka Station & Lodge in Waikato, with knowledge, mentorship, food, wine, and stay included!
This carefully designed, intimate retreat is capped at 12 participants to ensure the quality of the workshops and seminars as well as the overall experience. Book your space now!
Participants have the option to send Paula up to 5000 words of fiction or nonfiction in advance of the retreat, and to schedule a meeting with her during the weekend to discuss it.
What to expect?
Costs:
$1700/person King Bed | $1300/Person Twin Sharing | Maximum 12 Participants
Friday, 12 September 2025
Check in: anytime after 3:00 pm
Welcome drinks and dinner
A short talk in the Evening
Sat, 13 September 2025
In-depth craft seminars and writing exercises
Raranga Session (Optional)
A literary salon in the Evening
Sunday, 14 September 2025
In-depth craft seminars and writing exercises
Check out
Retreat Details can be found here
Waikaretu School Pet Day
As part of a rural community in Waikato, Te Karaka Station & Lodge has always been closely working with our local Waikaretu School.
Pet Day (or Ag Day) is an important annual event for rural schools’ fundrasing, but also a key event that bring the whole community, students, and parents together for a day of Fun!
All students are encouraged to rear an animal (calf, lamb, kid or chicken) or bring a pet (no dogs). Indoor exhibits and art projects will be judged before the event and displayed on the day.
Each year we have three fundraising events during Pet Day
The much anticipated Fathers Cake Competition (fathers, grandfathers, family members, are encouraged to bake and decorate a cake, which is then raffled off during Pet Day).
The library fundraiser (where you can select a book to purchase and donate to our school library).
The annual raffle. We ask for prize donations and send tickets home with students beforehand. Tickets may also be purchased at Pet Day.
What to learn more about this event? Watch this reel from last year’s Pet Day!
https://www.waikaretu.school.nz/news-and-events/news/pet-day/
Onewhero Ag Day 2025
As part of a rural community in Waikato, Onewhero is also Te Karaka Station & Lodge’s local community.
Ag Days, or Calf Clubs, are an annual tradition for rural schools and encourage children to learn about the care of animals by rearing a lamb, goat, calf, dog and/or chickens. Onewhero Area School’s Ag Day is scheduled this year on 18th October, with Classroom Art, Cake Decoration Competitions, Pet Competition, Raffle and more!
What to learn more about this event? Check out their Facebook page Onewhero Ag Day
If you are staying with us during that weekend, don’t forget to pop over on your way!
The Glenbrook Vintage Railway Experience
About 75km away from Te Karaka Station & Lodge, also tucked away in the less-travelled road of Waiuku, there lies the Glenbrook Vintage Railway which runs over 7.5km between Glenbrook (our connection with the national rail network) and Victoria Ave (Waiuku).
There are three level crossings at Morley Road, Pukeoware Road, and Cornwall Road. The total trackage, including sidings, crossing loops, and yards is 10.2km.
The railway and steam trains (87 of them!) are restored, maintained and managed by The Glenbrook Vintage Railway Charitable Trust Board.
Today the Glenbrook Vintage Railway organises various steam train experiences across Waikato, King Country and even South Island, including
The Ongarue Steam Express 23 August 2025 | Taumarunui to Ongarue and Return
The King Country Explorer | Glenbrook/Pukekohe & Hamilton to Taumarunui and Return | Diesel and Steam Power!
The River Steam Rover | Hamilton-Frankton to Raahui Pookeka (Huntly) and Return
and many more, check out their What’s On Page to book!
Want some Day Trip ideas for when you are staying with us? On this Labour Day Weekend, the iconic 70-minute Steam Train Rides are back!
Steam train departs Glenbrook terminus at 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm and 2:30pm on selected days (Labour Day Weekend 2025)
Online Bookings open soon!
Balloons Over Waikato (TBC)
Balloons Over Waikato is New Zealand’s premier hot air balloon festival. Held annually, this five-day iconic event is arguably the most popular event in the city. It attracts balloonists from all over New Zealand and around the world who come to experience the fun, friendship and warmth that this balloon-friendly city provides and to demonstrate their skills in a range of competitive activities.
Over 100,000 spectators enjoy the unique site of balloons ascending through the Waikato each year, from 7.00 am every morning to Hamilton’s biggest night out at The ZURU Nightglow, where the balloons glow to orchestrated music finishing with the best fireworks display in town, the SkyCity Hamilton Fireworks Extravaganza!
2026 Date is yet to be released.
If you are in the region to watch this amazing festival, why not stay with us as part of the experience?
Father’s Day 2025
Need some inspiration for gifts for Dad?
Why not get him a gift voucher? Better still, take him out to the Lodge for a lunch or a relaxing stay, most importantly, have some quality time together!
HD Moto Track Day
HD Moto 'powered by Star Insure'
An HD Moto day, is your opportunity to take your bike to the track to ride at your own pace in a safe and controlled environment!
HD Moto 'powered by Star Insure' Days are not race or practice days, they are experience days. With graded groups and plenty of safety measures including ambassadors who coach and ride with the groups, our HD Moto 'powered by Star Insure' days are a great way to get your bike out on the circuit in a safe and controlled environment - no pedestrians or cars here!
Track Day Pricing:
National Circuit – Full Day: $219
International Circuit – Full Day: $249
Pit Garages; 1 Bike Spot (up to three bikes per bay) – Full Day: $50 (you will be given your garage allocation at sign in)
All sessions are 15 minutes long. We aim to give each rider approximately six 15 minute sessions on track.
Don’t forget you can also swing by to have a relaxing stay with us after an exiciting racing day!
Fieldays 2025
Fieldays is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest agricultural event and the ultimate launch platform for cutting-edge technology and innovation.
While you are attending this exciting event, why not book a night or two to stay with us?
Day Spa Available
Our wonderful Spa Therapist is on-site on 19th Feb and 20th Feb. She is available for the following treatments:
Swedish Relaxation Massage
Deep Tissue Massage
Hot Stone Massage
Facials
Gel Manicure and Pedicure
Winemaker’s Dinner & Stay with Two Rivers - Marlborough
Experience the perfect blend of business and pleasure as chef Dominic Dsouza and winemaker David Clouston take you on a journey of sophisticated food and wine pairings.