Phone 07 888 4700

About Us

A Place to Grow

A place in which we want to see people grow spiritually, to grow in their faith, to give things a go and grow in confidence, for staff to grow and learn new skills and for us all to understand we have incredible worth and opportunity.

Mission Statement:

That people are attracted to Jesus in the excellence of our work and in our compassion for others.

'that we will provide excellent and professional service that will delight all who visit and that we will demonstrate our Christian principles in honouring Jesus Christ. That we will be accountable, responsible and fair in our business activities'

What we offer

Totara Springs is the largest centre of its kind in New Zealand and is the ultimate venue for church retreats, school camps, sports activities, business conferences, artistic events, holiday camps, family reunions.

We are situated in a beautiful setting, nestled at the foot of the Kaimai mountain ranges in Matamata. There are 90 acres of park-like grounds and native bush with streams, walks and bush trails. We have a large indoor sports and activity centre and breakaway relaxation areas, as well as a large hot pool fed by natural hot springs.

We have beds for 427 people in 27 serviced motels, 3 lodge complexes and 19 cabins. Onsite there are also powered caravan and practically unlimited tent sites. 

Camps and events are fully catered by our resident catering and events team and special dietary needs can be accommodated. A wide range of sports equipment is available as well as a laundry, vending machines, microphones, etc. EFTPOS, wireless internet and photocopying  services are available.

We have great facilities, great food, externally trained staff and a fantastic atmosphere

NEWSLETTER

Each month we publish a newsletter, this keeps people up to date with what's happening here at Totara Springs.

Subscribe to our Totara Springs Newsletter

* indicates required
 

Meet the staff

 

Richard Davis - General Manager

Richard has been GM at Totara Springs since June 2010. He comes from a financial banking background working for various financial industries over 25 years. Richard has been a Christian since his early teens and has been involved in children's ministry and teen ministry since that time. He is married to Kate and they have three teenage boys. Richard loves showing people around Totara Springs so look him up next time you visit 

Andrew Lind - Ministry Manager

Andrew re-joined the team here at Totara Springs in August 2008, after an absence of 10 years. In this time, Andrew qualified himself as a maths teacher, and taught at Matamata College. Andrew is responsible for managing the ministry team, and their responsibilities include the management and hosting of events such as kids camps, junior kids and teens camps, Easter camp, and numerous sports camps. Andrew is married to Karen and they have two gorgeous girls and two wonderful boys

Mark Cobham - Property Manager

After a few years of running the Property team and being 'groomed' for this role, Mark has taken over this important job at Totara Springs. Mark is married to Colleen and they have three children, Justine, Ben and Grace. Mark loves the outdoors and actively participates in waterskiing, motor cross, hunting and 4 wheel driving.

Lee Love - Admin Manager

Lee started at Totara Springs in 2007 and has particular responsibility for bookings at Totara Springs.  In this role she works with our guest coordinators to ensure timely events and oversees liaison with the various parts of the Totara Springs' team to ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. Lee also takes on a PA role for the General Manager. Lee is married to Selwyn, and they have two children and three amazing grandchildren.

Philip Seed - Instructor Team Leader

Phil Seed began at Totara Springs in May 2012, he moved into the role of Instructor Team Leader in November 2014. Phil has a bachelor of sport and leisure studies and a post grad in secondary teaching. He is interested in hunting & fishing, golf and many other sports. In March 2015 Phil married Melissa and they currently live in Matamata.

Rest of the Team at Totara Springs

Instructors/Hosts

  • Mark Jansen - Host/Instructor
  • Ella Brickell - Host/Instructor
  • Melissa Seed - Camp Programmer
  • Ash Stewart - Part Time Host/Instructor 
  • Connor Wiebe - Host/Instructor
  • Jonny Stuart-Menzies - Host/Instructor
  • Bonnie Williams - Host/Instructor

Property Team

  • Fay Baker - Aviary
  • Darryl Schenk - Camp Maintenance
  • Andrew Print - Camp Caretaker
  • Josh Aarsen - Camp Maintenance
  • Stephen Stone - Camp Maintenance/Operations Management
  • Tania Gauntlett - Gardens

Admin Team

  • Kirsten Schenk - Receptionist
  • Carole Pearce - Finance

Ministry Team

  • James Chapman - Holiday Kids Camp Coordinator
  • Tim Christensen - Multimedia & Design Coordinator
  • Toby Young - Youth and Leadership Coordinator
  • Nicky Houghton - Ministry Camps Administrator
  • Nikita Cook - Pathways Intern
 Catering Team
  • Jen Burt - Catering Manager
  • Ibenise Lubbe - Cook
  • Mania Anderson - Cook
  • Tu Paul - Chef
  • Elna Muller - Dining Room
  • Victoria Wiebe - Cook
  • Jess Houghton (PT Dining Assistant)

Housekeeping Team

  • Ceylene Murray - Supervisor
  • Paula Osbaldiston 
  • Tina Jones
  • Kate Davis - Casual