The Lodge

3.7 (57)
DOCUMENTARY
SEMIWEEKLY SERIES

In a world obsessed with wellbeing - would you put your health in the hands of a cult? A cautionary tale about the consequences of going alternative, when wellness becomes a matter of life & death.

EPISODE 1

Distant Bells

Phil Vine explores the fall and rise of a therapeutic community – or cult – led by a charismatic guru, who promises to teach followers how to fly and heal without medicine. Followers share their bizarre experiences and the dangerous depth of their convictions, and we discover how this story connects to the modern wellness industry and the allure of alternative healing. Read more about this episode on the RNZ website here - "Wellness industry's dark side" For articles and images from the series, visit the RNZ website here: www.rnz.co.nz/thelodge Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

38 min
EPISODE 2

Quiet Death Toll

Phil delves into the enigmatic world of Takaro Lodge, a wellness retreat in New Zealand that doubled as a high-end luxury resort. We uncover the mysterious practices of its founder, Chinese grandmaster Aiping Wang and meet Warwick, a Kiwi actor who’s hoping that Aiping’s energy treatment will cure his HIV. From Fiordland National Park to the guru’s energy clinics in Europe and the US, how far will people go and what will they believe in the pursuit of wellness? For articles and images from the series, visit the RNZ website here: www.rnz.co.nz/thelodge Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

40 min
EPISODE 3

Dealing With Magic

Warwick's story unfolds, and we discover if his six-month energy treatment in London has produced a miracle cure for HIV. Phil learns more about the ambitious nature of the wellness cult and its plan to reform all of society. We hear of the tragic tales of two other believers, Sharon and Yanis who died while following Aiping’s teachings and how other followers at the Lodge watched and took photos as a giant melanoma grew on Yanis face. For articles and images from the series, visit the RNZ website here: www.rnz.co.nz/thelodge Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

39 min
EPISODE 4

Being There

We hear from the guru herself, Aiping Wang in a rare interview recorded for a 20/20 television documentary, The Grandmaster. The guru explains “Qi”, what she calls “Universe Energy” and how it can bring happiness, wealth and health, including curing serious diseases. She explains her teachings and we find out what happened when she started out as a guru back in Slovenia. For articles and images from the series, visit the RNZ website here: www.rnz.co.nz/thelodge Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

42 min
EPISODE 5

Quite Surreal

A bomb threat in 2005 shuts down central Tauranga, a city in the North Island of New Zealand, and Phil discovers that the bomber has a connection with the Lodge. After coming under public scrutiny Aiping, her family and followers go international, opening clinics in Europe and the States. We learn what some of her followers were paying for her Life Technology teachings and how others are profiting from them. For articles and images from the series, visit the RNZ website here: www.rnz.co.nz/thelodge Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

45 min
EPISODE 6

Ahead Of Her Time

We catch up with cult survivor and former zealot, Suzanne. She and her mum gave $1.5 million to Aiping to be life members at the Lodge, before her mum died what Suzanne calls “a horrific death”. Twenty years on, what does Suzanne believe now, what has she learnt, and what can her experience teach others? For articles and images from the series, visit the RNZ website here: www.rnz.co.nz/thelodge Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

45 min
EPISODE 7

The Ultimate Price

Remember Warwick the Kiwi actor? We follow his treatment at the Energy Bank in London, his special invitation to New Zealand for a one-on-one with Aiping Wang and find out how his story ends. Phil discusses the appeal of alternative medicine but also speaks with wellness experts about the dangers of exclusivity, where health gurus tell their followers it’s my way, or the highway. For articles and images from the series, visit the RNZ website here: www.rnz.co.nz/thelodge Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

42 min
EPISODE 8

Burning Questions

Phil seeks an interview with Aiping and her family to find out what’s going on now at the lodge and the story behind those energy clinics. Arriving in Te Anau, he speaks to a neighbour about what’s going on these days, and as he tries to get an audience with the guru, is in for quite a reception. For articles and images from the series, visit the RNZ website here: www.rnz.co.nz/thelodge Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

49 min
SEASON 1 TRAILER

Introducing: The Lodge

What began as a promising sanctuary for healing in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations - became the epicentre of a double tragedy, a cautionary tale that goes straight to the heart of the modern wellness industry. Join award-winning RNZ journalist Phil Vine as he reopens the file on a mysterious cult that operated from a 1960s hunting lodge near Te Anau. Chinese guru Aiping Wang promised her followers supernatural powers—the ability to fly, see the future, and heal disease with “Universe Energy”. What began in a converted cinema in Slovenia and grew in the forests of New Zealand, has spawned a global empire of energy healing clinics and had a massive, sometimes traumatic, impact on the lives of followers. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

2 min

TRAILER

Introducing: The Lodge

What began as a promising sanctuary for healing in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations - became the epicentre of a double tragedy, a cautionary tale that goes straight to the heart of the modern wellness industry. Join award-winning RNZ journalist Phil Vine as he reopens the file on a mysterious cult that operated from a 1960s hunting lodge near Te Anau. Chinese guru Aiping Wang promised her followers supernatural powers—the ability to fly, see the future, and heal disease with “Universe Energy”. What began in a converted cinema in Slovenia and grew in the forests of New Zealand, has spawned a global empire of energy healing clinics and had a massive, sometimes traumatic, impact on the lives of followers. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

S1

•

2 min

3.7

out of 5

57 Ratings

Thought provoking

09/05/2025

KayKay94621

Hard to follow at first but very interesting story. Comes across as quite biased but clearly tries to seek out all sides.
Reminds me of the Maharishi

10/02/2025

lacefacey

It’s so interesting how these cult leaders so often follow a formula to gain power and control.
Thought provoking and well made.

09/28/2025

FireflyBright

Love this podcast. It’s fascinating and timely, and an important listen during this time period. Highly recommend.
Stick with it

08/29/2025

bunnybeen

A little hard to follow at first, but stick with it. Interesting story.

In a world obsessed with wellbeing - would you put your health in the hands of a cult? A cautionary tale about the consequences of going alternative, when wellness becomes a matter of life & death.