Queenstown Key Leaders Retreat

Friday the 11th of September -Monday the 14th of September 2026

The invitation

PYM is inviting Key Youth Leaders from across the church to join us for our Key Leaders Retreat in Queenstown. This retreat is designed to recognise, refresh, and equip those who carry primary leadership responsibility for youth ministry in their church or organisation.

What is a Key Leader?

A Key Leader is someone who leads the youth ministry in a church or organisation and oversees a team of youth leaders. This role may be voluntary or paid.

Most churches will have one Key Leader, though in some contexts the role may be shared by a couple or small team. If you would like more than one person from your church to attend, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate this.

Why focus on Key Leaders?

Research consistently shows that the health and longevity of youth ministries are closely linked to the stability of their leadership. Ministries are more likely to thrive when a key leader remains in their role for five to seven years or longer.

This retreat is designed to gather, encourage, and equip key youth leaders from across the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand for the vital work they lead.

The Cost

The cost of this three-night retreat has been heavily discounted. Cost includes all meals and planned activities during the event.

Before the 1st of August:   $149pp

After the 1st of August and before the 26th of August: $169pp

Last day for registration is Wednesday the 26th of August

We don’t want cost to be what stops you from coming, please contact us if you need some financial assistance to get to this event

Travel Subsidies

For participants flying from most regional Airports (Tauranga, Taupo, Napier, New Plymouth, Whangarei, Whanganui, Nelson, Blenheim and Gisborne) there is a $150 reimbursement available.

For participants flying from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch there is an $80 reimbursement.

There is a limited number of reimbursements we can give so please register and book your flights ASAP.

To receive a reimbursement please send the email confirmation of your flight to matt@pym.org.nz with your bank account details. Payments will be made immediately after the event.

Free transport from Queenstown Airport

PYM will have a free shuttle service running from Queenstown Airport to Lakeland Park from 2:00pm-4pm on Friday the 11th of September and a return shuttle departing Lakeland Park arriving at Queenstown Airport at approximately 1:00pm on Monday the 14th of September. Register for the shuttle service here before the 20th of August.

What to expect?

Acknowledging

This one’s heavily discounted because we know how hard you work and how much you sacrifice to care for young people in your parish and community.

Gathering

It’s good to be together! There is tremendous value in networking. This retreat will be a fantastic opportunity for you to connect up with other key leaders in the PCANZ; sharing stories, best practice and offering encouragement and support.

Refreshing

Good youth workers are pastors and role models, not just organisers of events and crazy games. This means that taking time to seek God about the vision and direction of their ministries isn’t incidental to their work. It is indispensable. PYM believes it is vital for churches to give their key youth leaders time away from the busyness of ministry to pray and seek the Father. The best thing your young people can find in a youth worker is someone who’s following God with all their heart.

Equipping

Amidst the time to refresh and connect with other key leaders we will devote small pockets of time to up-skilling you in the unique role the perform focusing on soul care, spiritual formation and how to lead other leaders effectively.

Content & Schedule

We are still nailing down the details of our 2026 event but Click here for more info on our 2024 Key Leaders event schedule

Accommodation

Lakeland Park Christian Camp. Situated in Kelvin Heights, only 15km from Queenstown and overlooking Lake Wakatipu, we will be in a wonderful setting for our retreat.