Men’s Wellbeing Summit 2025
Calling all Men on the journey of becoming the best version of self. Whether you are in your 20’s, mid life, or an elder this weekend of medicine for men, is for you.
We’ll be awakening our true power to heal ourselves and the community around us.
Calling all men, Dad’s, brothers, uncles, teachers, leaders, kaumatua, men of the water, men of the land, and men in health.
Welcome to the Aotearoa Men’s Wellbeing Summit, where we’ll be gathering to connect, further our journey and share our stories, learn from other changemakers, reset, and create positive ripples through our families and community.
Men are made to gather in community. This is your opportunity to step into or further your journey into this space.
JOIN A POWERHOUSE TEAM OF CHANGEMAKERS FROM AROUND AOTEAROA AND AUSTRALIA FOR A BRAVE CONVERSATION & MEN’S HEALTH EXPERIENCE.
This 3 day journey is set in Te Taiao - close to nature, in Opoutere, The Coromandel.
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.
This isn’t just a retreat for men—it’s part of a broader, vital conversation around men’s health and redefining masculinity.
Chances are, on your journey to ‘the summit’ you’re noticing a higher perspective, you’ve done the work, created the foundation, now its time to experience the elevation and connect in with more like minded souls.
Well done on 'being the change'. Let’s face it - men are on the wrong side of most of the health stats. Suicide, cancer, heart disease. We’re losing men too early.
This gathering is about visioning up a new framework for men’s wellbeing in Aotearoa, by sharing our wins, and embodying the collective wisdom of this group, being around changemakers, sharing stories, good kai, movement, learning, growing, reconnecting to nature and our values. This weekend is designed to keep all men of purpose alive and thriving to share their wisdom.
You’ll go away feeling refreshed and inspired to spread positive ripples through your whanau, community and tribe.
We’ve called on some changemakers in the Men’s Wellbeing space in Aotearoa and abroad, who will be sharing their own wisdom and learnings, including workshops on:
- Raising healthy young men and our path through manhood - a deep dive into Rites of Passage from boy to man to elder. We’re stoked to have Dr Arne Rubenstein from the Rites of Passage Institute flying over from Australia to join us and share some of his trainings.
- Longevity for men - how to eat well, move more and do the right things to stay vibrant and in good health. Lets face it we loose too many good men of wisdom, too early. We’re stoked to have Professor Grant Schofield co-founder of PreKure and head of AUT’s high performance unit, joining us to talk about turning the tide on Men’s Health with a new perspective.
-How to safely hold space for others and illuminate the conversation around depression, mental health and suicide
- Calming the mind - new tools to quiet the mind, in a new world on constant distraction. We’re going to be diving into the breath and breathwork as a powerful tool to regulate the nervous system.
- Mastering energy and emotion for Men - a chance to be your self and share from the heart, confidentially and without judgement
Every man coming to this gathering is going to be coming from a different ‘centre’ of current wellbeing, and that’s OK. You’ll be welcomed into a safe, judgement free space, regardless of where you are at on your journey.
And so, we’re calling on all men, with an open heart, committed to ‘being the change’ to join us on this journey.
The Aotearoa Men’s Wellbeing Summit is a gathering of Good Men - comitted to being the best version of themselves - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
-Come on your own, and find your tribe
-Bring your team of men, that could be iwi, hapu, work crew, sports team, community team, mens group and repower as a team
-Bring your friends & whanau for a refreshing wellbeing weekend away without the beers
Meet the changemakers!
We’re stoked to ha e Dr. Arne Rubinstein, a Leading Global Expert in Rites of Passage facilitating a large part of this experience. Dr. Arne Rubinstein, CEO and Founder of the Rites of Passage Institute, is a globally recognised expert on Rites of Passage. He has attended executive courses at Harvard and Oxford Universities and in 2024 he was honoured with the Order of Australia (OAM). With over three decades of experience his transformational work has impacted over 350,000 individuals across 25 countries. Dr. Arne is dedicated to reintroducing healthy Rites of Passage into modern society. With a background initially in Emergency Medicine, he left this behind to set up programs that support organisations, families and individuals to thrive. His programs have gained recognition from major corporations and educational institutions worldwide. Driven by a vision to reinstate healthy Rites of Passage into the mainstream again, Dr. Arne collaborates with diverse cultures and organisations, including schools and Indigenous groups around Australia and the world.
Jemarl is a proud descendant of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Te Kohera, and Ngāti Mutunga. 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.
Rob Mokaraka 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. His theatre show/seminar is called, Shot Bro - Confessions Of A Depressed Bullet, which is invited around Australasia. Rob tours marae, commuities, schools around Aotearoa sharing his heartfelt story and show, and we’re proud to welcome him back to Hauraki Coromandel.
Ngāpuhi Moana Ariki, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Ruapani, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa
Grant Schofield is the Professor of Public Health at Auckland University of Technology, Director of the University’s Human Potential Centre, former Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Education in New Zealand, co-author of four best-selling books and Chief Science Officer for PREKURE.
Professor Grant’s career has focused on preventing the diseases of modern times, and seeing what it takes to help people live a long, healthy and happy life.
He lives and breathes the motto “be the best you can be”, and sees this as a game-changer for the health system – capable of transforming the current health (sickness) model, to one in which we aspire to be well. He is redefining public health as the science of human potential; the study of what it takes to have a great life.
Grant is well known for thinking outside the box and challenging conventional wisdom in nutrition and weight loss, as well as physical activity and exercise.
He brings his fluency across several scientific disciplines – from human physiology, to psychology, to peak performance – to his role at PREKURE, where he delivers world class training in lifestyle medicine.
The driving force behind this project is Tairua based fisherman and diver, Carl Muir whose passion for Mens Wellbeing has led his deep work for the last 5 years. Carls' provides a safe, natural habitat, where men are welcome 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 landscape that is our back yard. This space is working to 'lift the lid' on their health issues, including depression, suicide, abuse, recovery after heart attack, 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, that little bit lighter.
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.
book YOUR TICKET :
Tickets include all workshops, speakers, activties, lunch and dinners.
Click below to purchase ticket for the event, and we will follow up with accommodation options.
Tickets priced without acccomodation as local community will also be attending.
Range of accommodation options, camping on site, or cabins arranged at small additional cost, on property bordering the venue and within walking distance of venue (Opoutere Coastal Camping, are taking Summit guests only over this time email info@opouterebeach.co.nz for a special rate for this event, and Wharekawa Lodge have online booking)
Afterpay is available at checkout on event tickets below:
Key Times and Dates:
Location : Opoutere / Wharekawa, Whangamatā, The Coromandel, New Zealand
(Venue details will be sent to ticket holders)
Thurs 22 May 2025 2pm start sharp
Arrive & registration 1-2pm
2pm start Welcome ceremony - activation - intention - connecting into our ancestry - where are we from - checking in - what does everyone need
Introduction to meditation, and the breath, and tools to calm and ground
Opening circle and fire
Key note and workshop - The journey of man boy to young man to Dad to elder - honouring Rites of Passage -Dr Arne Rubinstein
“What is a Healthy, Good Man?, The Values of a Good man”
What are the big issues?
Dinner provided - grounding mauri kai. Nutrition discussion.
Evening: Meditation & sound journey
Finish 9pm, rest/journal
Fri 23 May 2025
Swim, purea
Mens yoga & movement
Morning: International guest speaker and facilitator, Dr Arne Rubinstein, workshop and training - Rites of Passage for Men
Hikoi, plant ID, rongoa walk
Midday: Nutrition for optimum men’s mental health + kai
Afternoon: Vision, values, accountability, the big picture
Jemarl Paerata will be running a workshop around values and more transformational tools to elevate your mood and elevate your life, plus sharing his story some of the transformational work he does with Rangatahi and adults alike
Play - ShotBro - using theatre, humour and storytelling Rob Mokaraka presents his wananga ‘Shot Bro!” a kaupapa creating a conversation around depression and suicide - to create positive change
Dinner - Sauna, Breathwork, Sound journey
GROUP MAURI KAI CELEBRATION DINNER
Rest/journal
Sat 24 May 2025
Morning flow and swim
By now you are feeling pretty good! Prof Grant Schofield of PreKure will explain the science behind what you’ve experienced and how you now feel - the breath, hot and cold, sleep, nutrition, movement - the concept of hermetic medicine. Why mental and physical health are intertwined. How to take this back into your life for longevity, ease and wellbeing.
Arne Rubinstein will run a closing workshop around integration of everything we’ve learnt and experienced and we’ll be honouring all the work you’ve done reaching the Summit.
Closing ceremony, karakia and KAI
Closing :
1.30pm Sat 24 May 2025
Welcome to stay on in Opoutere Saturday avo night, Sunday informal get together, music, sauna, more practice of what we’ve talked about
or spend with whanau if they have travelled to Whangamata too for the weekend
Note: this event is alcohol, drug, smoke and vape free.
All meals served gluten free.
Camping available on site. Cabins and Accommodation options within walking distance of venue.
Range of accommodation options, camping on site, or cabins arranged at small additional cost, on property bordering the venue and within walking distance of venue (Opoutere Coastal Camping, are taking Summit guests only over this time email info@opouterebeach.co.nz for a special rate for this event, and Wharekawa Lodge have online booking)
