Six luxurious suites set in a park like setting provide a very comfortable home away from home. Large spacious villas, each with a bedroom and lounge area to relax in. Venture outside to soak up the atmosphere on the balcony where you are often joined by cheeky fantails, whilst watching weka and quails running across the lawn.

The house sits on the site of part of the original Nelson Diocese estate, consisting of 158 acres purchased in 1862. The original Bishops Residence was built in 1868 and the Bishopdale Chapel, which is still a working chapel today, was built in 1877. The main house we live in today was the second Bishop’s Residence. It was built in 1925 after the closure and demolition of the Bishopdale Theological College.

Pihopa Retreat is set in 5.5 acres of beautifully park-like gardens and borders alongside the 2.4ha Bishopdale Reserve. The grounds are enhanced by heritage landscape trees which are over 100 years old. 14 of these are protected along with a heritage woodland.

Pihopa Retreat lends itself perfectly as a location for whatever special event you want to celebrate.  With its historic chapel, stunning park-like grounds and luxury accommodation, we can help you create your perfect and unique event.  

Nelson is a city at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, facing Tasman Bay. It competes and regularly wins the title of the sunshine capital of New Zealand. Surrounded by coastline and mountain ranges, Nelson offers a lot of everything, from National Parks, vineyards, beach life and beautiful food.