'Ngā kai a Matariki nāna i ao ake nei'
Just as this whakatauki speaks to offering up food to Matariki, we reconnect in this time of year, to replenish our own mauri, our life force, and feel in to the interconnection of the cycles of nature.
Reconnect with your Provider brothers
Reconnect with the knowledge of your ancestors
Reconnect with your purpose and vitality
Men who provide - it is time to reconnect. We are calling in all men who have been through our Men’s Wellbeing retreat program, over the last five years.
We are calling in any men watching from the sides, who have been doing their own mahi - their own mens work.
The first retreat, was about YOU - rediscovering where you sit on this earth.
We ventured to the upper reaches of the awa,the source of living giving water, to the top of the maunga and, to the horizon for a new perspective. We hung out with our tuakana - all the other living things of this earth.
Many of you will have been through the meditation at the end of this retreat, where we look back in the minds eye at everywhere we’ve been. Coming back to centre. Remembering all the positive connections you have made in your lifetime to people and place. Anchoring yourself back in to the earth.
We lit the fire.
Is it still blazing?
I have a second retreat coming up, to continue this journey, and keep the fire stoked.
If the first retreat lit your fire, and you’ve been looking for more growth, this is the perfect time.
We will harness the power of Matariki rising, to set our intentions for the next 12 months, and create some real change.
On this retreat, we go deeper into our centre, checking what is and isn’t in alignment. We will bring to the surface your deepest aspirations, and the aspirations held for you by your tipuna, your ancestors. The aim is to ensure your life force, your mauri, stays strong, vital and pure.
The location is the perfect observation point for the movement of the sun through the winter sky, and to observe Matariki. It is also a good chance to bust out the surfcaster, kontiki, kayak, waka ama, or small boat, for in between the sessions I have planned.
Matariki, the first new moon, after the shortest day, is a time to reflect on the last year. To farewell those who have passed. To pay respects to our ancestors.
It is a time for deep conversation and to set intentions for growth over the next year, and a series of regular gatherings.
This Men’s gathering is a reconnection of all the mahi that we’ve done to this point.
And it is a time to step into more growth.
Our intention with our Men’s Gatherings is to provide a space for the Provider brothers to reconnect! We’ll be holding these in different locations around Aotearoa, and abroad, on a regular basis.
It is an opportunity to gather without all the usual ‘stuff’ that usually comes with men getting together.
There’s no beer, no bullshit, no competition, no biggest fish.
What will there be at our Men’s Gathering?
There will be epic wild kai. Lots of it.
There will be fishing, and you can start now!
There will be fire.
There will be laughter.
There will be new lifetime friendships made.
There will be a chance to give back to the local community and the land.
There will be chances for you to set your intentions for more positive ripples in your community.
There will be opportunities to grow in your resilience by connecting into a powerful community.
There will be chances to learn more about more wellbeing modalities like breathwork, yoga, QiGong, and meditation, and also tap into your creative side.
Timing - Matariki
This event is timed for the new moon (WHIRO) and the rising of Matariki.
Winter should be an exciting time of new beginnings and setting intentions for the next year.
It should be a time of connection with the crew you want in your life in the next year.
Not a time to hide away.
It is the perfect time to reset the body clock, reflect on the last year, and gather some enthusiasm for the coming year.
With less going on….it is a time to really listen in to the stories and whispers of nature and connect back in with your ancestors.
Ōhope
Ōhope is the NZ town with the most sunshine each year.
It has long been known as the food basket of the Bay of Plenty.
It has a beautiful long beach, running west to east, facing north.
It provides the perfect vantage point to view both the morning and evening sun, and Matariki rising, over prominent landmarks.
By stopping, coming into the moment and observing these elements around the shortest day, we can reset the body clock over winter soulstice and Matariki.
Ōhope is the perfect place for us to gather as men.
Ōhope is a central point to many of the Provider community, and a few minutes away from Whakatāne airport
What led me to Ōhope , the people I have met and nudges I’ve had in wairua to hold this event, I will leave the story and korero for the gathering.
program
Now to 5 July - Gather your kai. Fish. Hunt. Harvest the garden. Connect in on our group chat.
Friday 5 July.
Meet at Ohope. We have organised and prebooked absolute beachfront accommodation for everyone. Spaces are limited, so register to join below.
BYO kayak, boat, kontiki, surfcaster, jetski. Settle in, and explore.
Shared kai BBQ.
Fire ceremony, korero, night sky talk.
Saturday 6 July
Matariki observation in dawn sky, karakia.. A chance to pay respects to those who have passed in the last year. A chance to set intentions for the coming year.
Mid winter swim, breathwork, meditation
Breakfast provided.
Powhiri from hosts for Saturday, at a very special location, Ohope Marae - Maungarongo
Whaikorero - formal round the group men’s korero
Topics:
-How Have we Grown since Men’s Retreat
-What Purpose are We serving, greater than ourselves?
-How do we start creating change, at home
-What new intentions do we want to step into this year?
Lunch provided
Creative workshop
Farewell marae
Foraging and rongoa workshop
Explore, fish, surf, kayak
Hangi dinner
Sunday 7 July
Mid winter swim, breathwork, meditation
Guided walk of significant site
Depart accommodation, Oysters for brunch!
Planting ceremony and farewell
Afternoon to fish, explore enroute home
Cost:
Shared accommodation (twin single) & supplies to add to our kai: $350
Koha to Saturday Event and Speakers: $300
So Ticket Price for Whole Weekend $650