Orama was founded in 1963 by Neville and Dorothy Winger, who bought the 800-acre farmland from the Padderson family with a clear and hopeful purpose. They dreamed of creating a place where people could grow in faith, community, and practical service, and they poured their lives into making that dream real. What began as a Christian conference and ministry centre soon became a place known for transformation, learning, and renewal.

Neville was a man with a big vision and a strong sense of calling. Under his leadership Orama became a hub for many pioneering initiatives. Training programmes for young people, conventions, summer camps, a radio station, a rehabilitation centre, a bible school, and even the printing and distribution of books all grew from the work he helped to establish. People came from across New Zealand and overseas, and many went on to lead movements and ministries of their own, carrying Orama’s influence far beyond the island.

Dorothy brought strength, hospitality, and stability to the community. Her care for people helped shape the culture of Orama in its early years, making it a place where visitors felt welcomed and valued. Together, Neville and Dorothy laid the foundations for a ministry that would impact thousands.

Their legacy continues today in the work that Orama carries forward, and in the stories of the many people whose lives were changed here.

Over the years Orama has hosted a wide range of programmes, camps, and initiatives that supported young people, families, church groups, and visitors from across New Zealand and overseas. While many of those programmes shaped Orama’s story, the organisation has now refined its focus to a smaller set of core offerings.

Today Orama delivers Orama Academy, its newly rebranded Bible School that builds on the legacy of earlier training and discipleship programmes. Orama also operates Gracepoint, a purpose built wellness and recovery centre. Gracepoint provides comprehensive wellness support programmes, with its first two programmes, Care for Carers and Burnout Recovery, launching in early 2026.

Alongside its own programmes, Orama continues to work with trusted external partners. One of these is Fatherheart Ministries, which regularly uses Orama’s facilities to run its own teaching and retreat programmes. This partnership approach allows Orama to support a wider range of people while staying connected to its original purpose of creating a place of hope, learning, and renewal.