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Great Marriages Don’t Just Happen

Dates & Locations
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What is a Weekend to Remember?

A FamilyLife Weekend to Remember Getaway is a marriage conference uniquely designed to help you and your partner escape the daily grind and focus on your relationship. For most couples it’s a chance to reconnect, re-establish the foundation and rekindle romance. For others, it’s a fresh start. For some, it will be the weekend that saves a marriage.

By learning and applying timeless principles for a healthy marriage from our trained team of speakers, you and your partner can:

  • Connect with each other on a deeper level
  • Improve the way you communicate
  • Anticipate conflict and handle it more constructively
  • Experience marriage the way it was designed to be
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Find out why more than 25,000 people have already attended a FamilyLife New Zealand marriage event​.

Marriage is a lifelong adventure of growing together through every age and stage of life. The happiest couples are those who commit to learning skills that help them weather difficult seasons and deal confidently with relationship challenges.

“ This getaway has done all I wanted it to. We have grown closer together, talked more than we have in 36 years, aired hurts from the last few years, and found a new reason to keep going.”
From Weekend Attendees
“Helped make our great marriage even better.”
From Weekend Attendees
“When I booked this weekend I wasn’t sure if we’d still be together for it, but we were and I’m so hopeful we can achieve an exceptional marriage.”
From Weekend Attendees
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Who else will be there?

Weekend To Remember attendees come from all ages and stages of life and marriage.

51 Years Married

Newlyweds

FamilyLife’s Speaker Team

We are couples like you; we are husbands and wives, mums and dads, who have various backgrounds and experiences. Yet, we’ve all gained in depth training in the area of marriage and relationships.

Married 0-5 years
0 %
Married 6-19 years
0 %
Married 20+ years
0 %
Re-Married
0 %
20
30
40
5060

What to expect

The weekend is a blend of full group sessions and downtime for the two of you – in fact, a date night is built right in. The sessions have a workshop feel, mixing great information with time and tools for you to process what you are learning. There is no awkward sharing with strangers – it’s just for the two of you.

Friday

6:00 PM – Event Check-In
7:00 PM – Welcome & Introduction
7:30 PM – Session 1: Five Myths of Marriage
8:15 PM – Tea & Coffee Break
8:35 PM – Session 2: Let’s Talk
9:20 PM – Done for the evening

Saturday

9:30 AM – Session 3: The Master Plan
10:20 AM – Morning Tea Break
10:50 AM – Session 4: Celebrating Differences
11: 35 AM – Project & Lunch (married couples)
11: 35 AM – Preparation for Marriage (optional)
11: 35 AM – Blended Family Session (optional)
12:30 PM – Lunch
01:30 PM – Session 5: Handling Conflict
02:30 PM – Project
03:00 PM – Tea & Coffee Break
03:20 PM – Session 6: Sex in Marriage
04:30 PM – Done for the day: Date Night time!

*Remember to plan for your date night.

Sunday

9:30 AM – Session 7: Wife/Husband
10:20 AM – Morning Tea Break
10:40 AM – Session 8: Mum/Dad
11: 30 AM – Project & Lunch
01:15 PM – Session 9: Managing Pressure
01:50 PM – Vision
02:15 PM – Stretch Break
02:25 PM – Session 10: How Marriages Thrive
03:30 PM – Conclusion

What other attendees have said

“Amazing conference. This will strengthen all areas of our life – marriage, family, work and spiritual”.
“Helped make our great marriage even better”.
“When I booked this weekend I wasn’t sure if we’d still be together for it, but we were and I’m now so hopeful we can achieve an exceptional marriage”.
"This conference has done all I wanted it to. We have grown closer together, talked more than we have in 36 years, aired hurts from the last few years, and found a new reason to keep going".
“It has demystified sex. It has given us tools to discuss sex frankly and without embarrassment. At last!".
"This Getaway would be the best quality decision we have made together as a couple. Life changing and inspiring”.
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More Reviews

"A Life-Changing Weekend"

"Prepared us with some essential tools for our upcoming marriage, excellent conversation topics."

 "This conference was an Engagement Gift - we feel so blessed because there are many things that we can apply and enjoy in our marriage."
EngagedThinking about marriage
 "Drawn us closer together. I appreciate my wife more than I did at the honeymoon stage"

 “Powerful speakers sharing authentic stories and practical insights, equipping us to love, live, forgive.”

”Like drinking from the river of life!”
MarriedWant to make that great marriage even better?
 “It was an eye-opener and a reality check and an inspiration to be the best husband and dad I can.”

“Given me renewed hope in what our marriage can be. I want to come back!”
MarriedWant to make that great marriage even better?
 "Should have done this years ago. My heart has been touched quite profoundly and impressed by the insights shared by such personal speakers who have been so generous sharing their life stories. I know that our marriage will be transformed."
Empty NestHaving to adapt to a new life without the kids?
“I left my husband 3 weeks ago! We have some tools to use to work through our many challenges. I think we can do this. Hope.”

“Relief that we persevered through our separation to get back together and make it work!”

"Saved us from the likelihood of break up."
Drifting ApartEvery marriage needs to be refreshed, renewed.
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For less than the average price of...

Car
Insurance

More than $500 annually

Broadband Internet

More than $840 annually

Gym Membership

More than $850 annually

...you can invest into making a great marriage happen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out why more than 24,000 New Zealanders have already attended a FamilyLife NZ event

Pre-Married and Singles

A word to the wise:
If you’re preparing for marriage, or you’re single and want to get a good clear insight into what makes a good marriage work, then a FamilyLife NZ event could be a great place to start:

Option 1: Attend a Weekend to Remember.
Receive a comprehensive manual complete with specific pre-married projects.

Option 2: Attend a Day Together seminar as a couple or as a single. Listen, laugh, learn. Enjoy a fun day soaking in the top key principles to effective relationships presented in the following six live messages by our well-trained speakers:

  • Why relationship fail
  • How to grow together
  • How to fight fair
  • Keeping the spark of sex alive
  • Take your relationship to a whole new level
 

Option 3: Take our Prep For Marriage 5 session course. You buy the resource and ask a couple you respect to be your facilitators – it’s that easy!

Date Night

Weekend to Remember is designed with you in mind. So we’ve set aside Saturday night as Date Night! Make it a memorable evening for you both. After a day of instruction and encouragement, you’ll be inspired to focus on one another and take your relationship to even greater heights. 

Make the ‘Date Night’ the highlight of your weekend by spending meaningful time together and reclaiming the love and intimacy that is often obscured through the activities of daily living. Make it special. Make it romantic. Rekindle the fire over a candlelight dinner—reserve a romantic table for two. Surprise your spouse with a special gift that you have tucked away in your suitcase. Or simply, hang the “do not disturb” sign outside your door. 

Whether you “go out on the town” or just order room service and relax, the Weekend to Remember will be the most meaningful when you experience it completely. Remove all the distractions. Entrust your children to others. Turn off your mobile phone. Don’t check your email. Forget about the television. And, if attending with friends, make sure to reserve this evening just to spend this time together as a couple.

What if I've been before?

If you have already attended a FamilyLife “Weekend to Remember” Getaway, then we encourage you to come back and experience it all over again. Couples who have returned have said they’ve enjoyed the conference even more the second time around. Some have attended six times! 

In addition to the Weekend to Remember Getaway, FamilyLife NZ also offers special One-Day getaways. 

We also offer fantastic studies you can do in the comfort of your own home to strengthen and further build your marriage, or you can do them with friends to help them too. Find out more about Marriage Mentoring and HomeBuilders.

Tips for Attendees

Here are a few tips to help make your FamilyLife getaway truly a “Weekend to Remember”.

  • FamilyLife events are casual in nature. Dress comfortably. Bring a sweater or jacket as temperatures may vary.
  • FamilyLife NZ will provide you with manuals and pens for the weekend.
  • If possible, arrive early on Friday to wind down from the pace of life. Registration opens at 6pm on Friday, the Conference begins at 7pm.
  • The FamilyLife NZ getaway will be most effective to you if you carve it completely out of your regular life schedule. Whether you stay in the hotel or commute, agree together to remove distractions. Entrust your kids to those watching them; stay away from squeezing in other appointments; switch off your phone; keep the TV off; and if attending with other friends, make sure to save most of your time for you as a couple.
  • Your evening meal on Saturday is not included in the registration costs. We have set aside this evening as a special “date night” for you and your spouse. Make plans for a special evening and splurge to the extent you can!
  • Please let us know whether you have any special comfort needs or dietary requirements. We will do all we can to make it an enjoyable experience.
  • FamilyLife NZ will have a comprehensive range of life-changing resources available for purchase throughout the weekend. Save money by purchasing these resources at the Conference.
  • Plan a date night soon after the Conference to help yourselves set a plan of action on how you will apply the principles you learned over the weekend, and transition it to everyday life.

What if our plans change and we can’t make it?

Should special circumstances force you to miss the conference, you may transfer your booking to a future conference as long as 48 hours prior notice is given. 

Should you be forced to cancel, upon written request, consideration will be given to refund your registration fee, as long as 48 hours prior notice is given.

Covid-19 Information

Our conferences and events will be held if New Zealand is in Level 1 or 2 (subject to gathering restrictions at the time and area restrictions; as our team is based in Auckland).

If an event needs to change, we will always try to postpone where we can, rather than cancel. If you’re booked in for an event that’s subsequently postponed, we will automatically transfer your booking over to a future conference.

Should you be forced to cancel, upon written request, consideration will be given to refund your registration fee. If you cannot attend the new date, we will issue a refund.

Is this a religious event?

This is a marriage getaway based on timeless Biblical principles that will inspire, equip, and motivate any couple to grow together whether they attend church or not.

Do we have to share details of our marriage with others?

No. Not in any way. The only person you’ll be asked to share with is the person you attend with – your partner. One of the reasons there is no planned group interaction is to preserve the intimate environment for the two of you for the entire weekend.  We strive to make your experience as non-threatening as possible.

Is there provision for childcare during the weekend?

Sorry, no.  Children are indeed special, and we at FamilyLife NZ care as much about New Zealand’s youth as anyone.  However, this weekend is designed as a special getaway just for the two of you. 

Many people have shared that this conference has been a highlight as they enjoyed time together with no children – you are encouraged to plan well in advance and leave your children at home in the care of someone you trust.  

What time does the weekend getaway begin and end?

Your ‘Weekend to Remember‘ begins on Friday night with the first session starting promptly at 7:00pm. The final session ends on Sunday about 3:30pm.

What do the registration costs include?

The registration costs include all conference materials and access to the weekend sessions, but do not include accommodation, transport (to or from the venue), meals (besides tea and coffee) or any other activities.

Is it essential to stay in the conference hotel?

No, in fact many couples commute, or stay elsewhere. Of course the ultimate getaway experience is to stay overnight at the conference hotel, and FamilyLife NZ negotiates special discounted room rates to help make the experience affordable. 

Couples have told us, “Please stress the benefits of living in, because it really makes the getaway special.” However, we recognise that not everyone can afford it, so don’t want to put extra pressure on.

Frequently Asked Questions

For only

$ 345*
Per Couple
  • All conference sessions included
  • Full conference materials
  • Morning tea (Sat & Sun)
  • Follow-up tools and digital resources
100%
Satisfaction
Guarantee
After attending a full FamilyLife getaway, if you do not agree that it was a worthwhile investment in your marriage, we will gladly refund your getaway fee upon written request.
Register Now
*Registration fee does not include accommodation or meals.

Upcoming Events

12-14 April 2024​

Christchurch
Rydges Latimer
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17-19 May 2024

Auckland
Waipuna Hotel
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18-20 October 2024

Tauranga
Trinity Wharf
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Closing soon

18-20 October 2024

Tauranga
Trinity Wharf
venue link
passed
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Nearly every 2 out of 3 couples...

...who attend a Weekend to Remember do so because someone else took the time to invite them, and often past attendees even purchase tickets for couples they know as a gift. Your endorsement may save a marriage. 

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© 2024 FamilyLife New Zealand. All Rights Reserved. The FamilyLife Trust [CC44403] is a New Zealand registered charity. 2B William Pickering Drive, Building 2, Rosedale, Auckland 0632  | 09 320 3383
2B William Pickering Drive, Building 2, Rosedale, Auckland 0632  |  09 320 3383 The FamilyLife Trust [CC44403] is a New Zealand registered charity. © 2024 FamilyLife New Zealand. All Rights Reserved.