Men’s Wellbeing Summit 14-16 May 2026
Purchase EarlyBird Tickets Here:
Can you hear the call inside you? Now, more than ever, Aotearoa and the world, needs good men.
The Aotearoa Men’s Wellbeing Summit is an annual gathering of good men, committed to being the best versions of themselves, who help lift others up to do the same.
Join in community, conversation, clean kai and brotherhood with other changemakers out there doing the mahi - creating change from the ground up.
Fathers, sons, brothers, teachers, first responders, leaders, social workers, health professionals, sports coaches, business owners and leaders, whoever you are leading, you can only do that with a full cup yourself. This is a chance to fill your cup, so it spills over to others.
Each year men from their own unique leadership positions, organisations and communities, from around Aotearoa and abroad gather to lighten the load, recalibrate, swap notes and vision up the year ahead.
This is an opportunity to walk the walk by looking after your own wellbeing, out in nature for three wholesome days, making new connections, eating wholesome food, moving while we talk and charging up for the year ahead.
This 3 day journey is set in Te Taiao - close to nature, in Opoutere, one of The Coromandel’s most magical beaches.
We’ll spend a long weekend connecting with the elements on the magical Coromandel, and furthering your journey into what’s good for the mind, body, emotions and spirit, in a heart led conversation and wellbeing experience tailored for men.
Get insights from other changemakers making huge ripples in the wellbeing of communities around the world. Hear from inspiring speakers who lead by example with big bold visions that they are emodying. A health conversation tailored for the needs of men - speaking to Courage, Adventure, Integrity, Providing, Protecting, Prescence and Accountability.
The aim is to spread these ripples through our own communities in Aotearoa.
From young men, to elders. All are welcome. Whether you’ve been doing this work for life, or just want to experience men’s work for the first time, we welcome you to the Aotearoa Men’s Wellbeing Summit.
SPEAKERS, FACILITATED WORKSHOPS AND EMBODIED PRACTICES DEEEP DIVING INTO
-POTENTIAL: What are we capable of as a Man? - Exploring what % of our potential are we using, removing blocks to our full potential and aims to inspire the men attending to step fully into their purpose and gifts.
-STEWARDSHIP: What legacy are we building through our actions? -Talks to taking radical responsibility for stewarding our body, mind, land, moana, family, community and explores the intersection where they all meet.
With those themes in mind, we’d like to introduce the team for 2026!
GUEST SPEAKERS and facilitators:
Jono Ridler is an endurance swimmer, ocean advocate, and founder of the Swim4TheOcean initiative. Through ambitious endurance challenges, he uses sport as a platform to spark conversations about the health of our oceans. His current project is a staged, unassisted 1,000-mile swim down the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island—one of the longest staged swims ever attempted anywhere in the world and, if successful, a world record for the longest unassisted staged swim.
Beyond the physical and mental challenge, Jono’s work is about possibility. By sharing the lessons behind preparing for and pursuing extraordinary goals, he’ll be encouraging the Men at this years Summit to think bigger about their own potential. Through stories from the ocean and the edge of endurance, he’ll challenge you to dream bigger, commit to bold goals, and discover just how far your potential can take you.
If you’re looking for tools to support your self or others through hard times, you need to experience Rob Mokaraka’s world class kaupapa - Shot Bro! Quite simply it is a masterclass in using your gifts and lived experience to shine aroha and light into dark places. Rob has been touring his kaupapa tirelessly around Aotearoa following on from his own lived experience recovering from rock bottom and helping others realise that you’re not crazy, you're hurting and deserve help.
Rob is an actor/writer who had a public mental and spiritual breakdown in Point Chevalier, Auckland, New Zealand - 2009. In the storm of suicidal ideation, Rob provoked the police to shoot him dead on the street, outside his house. He ignored the warning from police and took another step, which resulted in him being shot in the chest at close range. After multiple surgeries, multiple court cases, multiple therapies, 7yrs later Rob created a tool for healing and educating communities and organisations about mental wellbeing, suicide prevention and after care when someone you love has taken their life.
Ngāpuhi Moana Ariki, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Ruapani, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa
We’re honoured to have Rob as part of the leadership team again for this event.
A former professional firefighter, Jemarl’s journey has taken him from the frontlines of crisis to the frontlines of transformation. After overcoming personal battles with addiction, disconnection, and burnout, he walked a path of deep healing—rooted in Te Ao Māori, holistic health, and a commitment to serve others.
He is now the founder of Te Kaiārahi, a kaupapa Māori mentoring service focused on helping rangatahi and adults alike reconnect with their identity, purpose, and potential. Through outdoor wānanga, leadership training, and breathwork-based resilience workshops, Jemarl has helped hundreds of individuals reclaim their story, step into leadership, and move forward with clarity and mana.
Through ancient wisdom and modern mindset, blending kōrero, movement, breath, and deep self-reflection. Jemarl’s gift lies in his ability to create safe, powerful spaces for others to feel seen, heard, and called into their next chapter.
Jemarl is a proud descendant of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Te Kohera, and Ngāti Mutunga.
Carl uses his own lived experience and grounded prescence to provide a safe and natural space for men to recalibrate and explore their true nature.
Men from around New Zealand and the globe have been traveling to his Provider Men’s Retreat for many years - a safe space for men to be brutally honest, to brave the truth of their experiences and delve into different scientific, structured and proven natural health practises, while experiencing some of the best of the The Coromandel's pristine oceans and landscapes.
This space is working to 'lift the lid' on their health issues, including depression, suicide, abuse, metabolic conditions, addictions, work place bullying, the stress of self employment, extended time out of the workplace or trauma induced through significant global events. Carl’s passion is seeing men re-power and step back into their purpose and potential.
more inspiring leaders and speakers announced soon!!!
purchase individual
earlybird tickets here:
AfterPay / Payment Plans available on check out
book your team, whanau or organisation:
“This isn’t just a retreat for men—it’s part of a broader, vital conversation around men’s health and redefining masculinity.”
reach out to talk about this event:
2025 Men’s Summit highlights:
who is this event for?:
-Men aged 20+, through to elders, with an interest in wellbeing and personal development
-Men of all ages who are eager for change
-Men who want to find their place in the world
-Fathers who would like to strengthen their relationship with their sons
-Men who employ other men, and are responsible for their wellbeing
-Men who recognise it is their generation that need to create change
-All men at the front line of health in New Zealand, including GP’s
-Teachers, principals and coaches
-Men in the community, public service and conservation
-Men who have lived experience they can share with others
WHAT CAN you EXPECT?
A quest of mastery, of the mind, body and soul, deepen, extend, and elevate – the opportunity to become part of the rising tide of change for a better life style. The world is changing, and here in NZ we are blessed with some of the most pristine natural environments that provide more than food and shelter. We lead the men through the power of different practises that unlock their innate self, uncover hidden depth, resilience and ability to connect more authentically with their powerful, positive masculine knowledge including meditation, conscious breathing and breathwork, forest therapy, rongoa, sauna, cold water immersion, healthy nutritional eating, storytelling, vision boards, value setting, sound healing, and the power of community.
what is included :
Tickets include all workshops, world class speakers and activties.
We’ll have three awesome chefs on hand cooking our lunch and dinners.
First meal is dinner on Thursday. Last meal is lunch on Saturday.
(Breakfast on Friday and Saturday is left to you to arrange, or fast through to lunch)
Tickets are priced without acccomodation in consideration for locals and those with holiday homes in close proximity.
Accommodation options for those traveling to the event:
Camp on site - Caravan / Tent / Motorhome / Van (email us to arrange)
Camp next door - Opoutere Coastal Camping (taking Summit guests only)
Wharekawa Lodge, Opoutere 1 min drive or 5 minute walk (taking Summit guests only)
Holiday houses in Opoutere, Whangamata and Tairua (20 minute radius)
Motels in Whangamata, Pauanui, Whangamata and Tairua (20 minute radius)
Key Times and Dates:
Location : Opoutere / Wharekawa, Whangamatā, The Coromandel, New Zealand
(Venue details will be sent to ticket holders)
Thurs 16 May - The Separation
Arrive & registration 11.30 - 12.30PM
1pm sharp Opening Ceremony and First Circle / immersion
Evening: Dinner provided - grounding mauri kai. Nutrition discussion.
Evening: Meditation & sound journey
Finish 9pm, rest/journal
Fri 23 May 2025 - The Transformation
7am Mens energy flow / movement - accessible for all levels
8am Guest speakers and workshops begin
Lunch
1pm More activities, circles, speakers and workshops
Dinner
Fire ceremony
Sat 24 May 2025 - The Integration
7am Hikoi
8am Guest speakers and workshops begin with a view towards integrating the vision.
Lunch
Closing :
1.30pm Sat 24 May 2025
Note: this event is alcohol, drug, smoke and vape free.
All meals served gluten free.
50 Tane gathered in Opoutere for the first ever Aotearoa Men’s Wellbeing Summit