Tikapa Moana Eco Spa Retreat

Marilyn was born, raised and married in New Plymouth (NZ) in the shadow of Mt. Taranaki, and raised three children there (Paula, Rodney and Murray) with her previous husband, Peter. Rod and Muzz are both accomplished musicians and members of the well-known band Goodshirt. Rod and Paula are each parents of baby daughters. Marilyn worked for many years in pharmacies and health shops before becoming a Watsu and massage practitioner in 2004.

Bill was born on the St. Lawrence River in New York (USA) by the Canadian border. His daughter Holly works at Yale University (Connecticut, USA), focusing on alternative transport and energy conservation. Bill was one of the first wave of President Kennedy’s Peace Corps Volunteers (in Bolivia). After completing his graduate studies at Cornell University he spent 15 years working in international development in coastal fishing communities in South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Indian Ocean.

He immigrated to Whitianga, New Zealand in 1984, working as an oyster farmer, tertiary education tutor and garden centre owner/operator, and bought the Tikapa Moana property at Waharau (Kaiaua) in 1997. Since 1998, Bill has been the driving force behind the successful “Muddy Feet” Firth of Thames Ecosystem Project. He also established the “EcoQuest” field centre for integrated studies in ecology and resource management for upper level university students. He started doing Watsu training in 2004.

Bill and Marilyn's dog Kea benefitted greatly from regular Watsu treatments in the sea until her passing. Young Maya has filled that gap since mid-2007, and is also a dedicated water rat.

Bill and Marilyn met in 2004 and have been constant companions and soulmates ever since, marrying in 2008 at the Mana Sanctuary in the Coromandel Range. They live and breathe the lifestyle they have created at Tikapa Moana Eco Spa Retreat, and constantly give thanks for the rich abundance around them.

Their mission is to provide a place of peace and tranquillity where health and healing can take place on many levels for many people. Their vision of “Healthy people, Healthy communities, Healthy environment” is fostered by many things, such as their dedication to organic farming and sustainable use of land & sea, and involvement in farmers’ markets.

Bill and Marilyn’s continuing education in Watsu includes trips for local and overseas training experiences, the latest one being at Ischia Island (Italy) in May 2010. The first gathering of the New Zealand Watsu whanau at the new Tikapa Moana pool happened in October 2010.

Bill & Marilyn’s busy workload has sometimes been shared by Wwoofers, many of whom become lifetime friends and whanau. In June 2010 they visited some of them in Europe. One of these is Fraser Bliss from Finland, who is the inspired creator of this website.

Two granddaughters have joyfully come into our lives recently: Evie (Dec.2009) and Mae (July 2011). As you can see, life is forever changing, just as in nature. And it is good.