"Hi my name is Duncan Paterson, and I am a sixty three year old male Caucasian, that has lived life on the basis that “a good time should be had by all”.

I have always enjoyed life, as I have had all that it could offer, in the way of a highly paid corporate lifestyle, and all the trappings of company cars, and the latest cellular technology, which was imperative, so that I could place it on the restaurant table, to show others, (who where doing the same), how successful we were.

Corporate lunches or dinners, would generally consist of food that the overweight judges of today’s NZ Gourmet TV cooking shows would consider to be of creative excellence. This fine food would be served with the finest of alcoholic beverages. I considered this to be an intergral and normal part of being socially educated.

Alcohol started to have an influence on my thought patterns which I did not initially recognize, and my diet of high sugary and fatty food added to the mix.  As I continued to increase my consumption of these products, my lifestyle reached even greater heights with more “social experiences” and a wider circle of successful friends.

Then I met two people, whom I considered to have a “naive” approach to life.  After associating with these people, and being asked to their Sanctuary for meals, over a period of months, I started to have serious doubts about my lifestyle.

More recently I have had opportunity to stay at The Sanctuary for a couple of months and have had further opportunity to experience what The Sanctuary has to offer.

I have continually asked myself over the last six years, in which I have had had association with The Sanctuary facility , as to what did these “now not naive” people have, that a person like myself, who was so worldly wise, had missed out on for the last forty odd years.

Well this testimony would have to become a “Wikipedia” if I was to tell you what they have taught me.  So what I will say, is their understanding of Natural Health remedies, Healthy eating, Hydro Therapy, Addiction issues, and a Faith in the Lord, that I can only ever dream of reaching, is beyond any material wealth that I have reached, and watch depreciate to the point that I have gone from being a wealthy/poor man to a poor/wealthy man with a view to life that is motivated by assisting others, as well as myself to a higher plain.

I would encourage you to respect the body and mind that you have been given as that alone could be your testament." 

Duncan Paterson

"Thanks for such a great experience at The Sanctuary.  I came for the hydrotherapy, which was awesome, but was also revitalised by the warm and caring nurturing from Wendy and family.  Peaceful, refreshing, and exhilarating.  Yours gratefully."

Leah, Dargaville