Jenny Cottingham
Director
Jenny has had a long history in natural therapies, both as a practitioner and in the development of several enterprises. These include Hamilton’s first health food store and a large healing centre in Paddington, Sydney. She is also currently Assistant Principal of Wellpark College of Natural Therapies. Jenny is committed to developing programs and facilities that foster the integration of healthcare and spiritual well-being here at Kawai Purapura.
Following the completion of a master’s degree in the evolution of consciousness in New Zealanders, she is currently researching the process of self-realisation through Victoria University. Jenny spends some time each year with various teachers and saints in the Himalayas and southern India, and this enhances the work she is doing to develop Kawai Purapura as one of New Zealand’s leading centres for well-being education and spiritual unfoldment. Contact Jenny at manager@kawaipurapura.co.nz
Megan Wilson
Residential Manager
Megan came to Kawai Purapura straight from Tiritiri Matangi, a leading conservation island in the Hauraki Gulf. There she managed and worked with a dedicated group of volunteers, showing day trippers around, mending board walks, cuddling baby takahe chicks and watching the tuataras. She is passionate about fostering a unique eco-system and nature sanctuary here at Kawai Purapura and equally passionate about helping manifest the values of the trust in the resident community. She deals with all the day-to-day running operations of the community and oversees the wellbeing of all the residents. Contact Megan at administration@kawaipurapura.co.nz
Dyana Wells
Promotions and Publications
Dyana had been part of the administration and management team of Wellpark College and Kawai Purapura for over ten years. She has been dedicated to helping students, tutors, residents and workshop leaders achieve their goals. Her new position at Kawaipurapura is in promotions and publications. She and Jenny Cottingham are sisters. As a writer, she is currently enrolled in the Masters in Creative Writing program at AUT, she is well suited to this role and to ensuring all workshop leaders are given the promotional help they need so their workshops are a success. She is a teacher of yoga, meditation and chemistry and a life-long student of Tibetan Buddhism. Dyana has recently returned from a four month Abhidhamma retreat in Canada. Contact Dyana at community@kawaipurapura.co.nz
Ortrude James
Garden Manager
Ortrude has a passion for gardening. Her inspired craftwork can be seen all around Kawai Purapura in the flower beds and shrubbery. Although she has loved gardening since she was a child, it was during her time as a resident at Prasanthi, Sai Baba’s ashram in India, that this passion really took root. She reclaimed the rubbish heaps and waste land surrounding the buildings, and turned them into gardens. She swept through the ashram in her zeal, bringing colour, perfume and beauty to the ashram. She later transformed Sai Baba’s schools and hospital, and now she is similarly transforming Kawai Purapura. Thousands of devotees still find spiritual nourishment in those tranquil sanctuaries in India. Ortrude connects to and shares her love of God through her gardening.
Tony O’ Brien
Maintenance and Property Manager
Tony, our property maintenance manager has been with us since the birth of Kawai Purapura in January 2009. He manages a sensational team of woofers to ensure the gardens and buildings are all in top condition and to ensure that any problems or unexpected events are investigated and remedied immediately. His team of woofers come from all over the world, they love him, and they return regularly to be part of his team. You will see them around the property behind spades and floor mops, calling out, maybe even romancing, in Spanish or French.