Men's Groups Newsletter - January 2026

Hello ,

I hope everyone is relaxed after a decent brake. Maybe you had some reflections that point towards some stuff to work on. We have just the right event for you

In this issue:

Waitangi Retreat
Weekend Workshop: A New Men's Story
International Men's Open Day 2026

Waitangi Retreat - 13-15 Feb 2026 (notice different dates!!!)

Deer Lodge at St Arnaud

As you see, the event is one week after Waitangi.

In the tradition of the other 2 retreats which Murray holds and with a very similar format, we'd like to invite you to our retreat on 13-15 February.

This is for men of all levels of experience , but we emphasize introducing new(er) guys to the “deep-dive” circle work. We realise it's quite a step for new men to submit to a whole weekend with strangers. Therefore we focus on having a bunch of experienced guys hold safe space and noone is pushed towards anything they arent comfortable with.

Apart from that its a great opportunity to meet guys from0other groups and share in the community that has been building around men's work.

We arrive Friday 13^th for a shared dinner and a circle after. We will have 4 circles or more plus plenty of time to mingle and hang out. Bring food to share for dinners plus what you need for the rest of the meals. Bring bedding and everything to look after yourself. Sleeping is in bunkrooms or marae style.

Absolutely no camping or sleeping in vehicles. It will get us banned!

Cost is $40 per night

Please let Hardy (021 213 2299) know if you are coming so we can organise according to numbers.

Weekend Workshop: A New Men's Story

13 – 15 March 2026 (daytime only)

Spiritualist Church, corner of Tipahi/Motueka Streets, Nelson

Cost: $20

Men today are carrying a quiet weight. Many of us feel blamed, confused, or unsure where we fit in a world where the stories about men have grown increasingly harsh. In our circles, what we hear isn’t entitlement or indifference—it’s pain, uncertainty, and a longing to show up well as fathers, partners, and human beings. Something bigger is happening beneath our individual struggles. Over the past few generations, the ground has shifted: gender roles, expectations, and the very meaning of masculinity have been turned inside out. The women’s movement brought essential and overdue change, but men were never given a parallel space to redefine ourselves. The result is a generation of men who feel unseen, unsure, and often silent about what we carry.

This weekend is an invitation to step out of that silence. Our approach is pro‑men and pro‑women, grounded in honesty rather than blame. We acknowledge the harm men have caused and still cause, while also recognising the deep structural changes that have left many of us without a clear path forward. This is not a political debate or a culture‑war argument. It’s a space for men to sit in circle, explore the patterns shaping our lives, and begin to reclaim a healthy, grounded, and self-defined masculinity. Together we’ll look at how social change impacts our relationships, our dreams, and the men we are becoming.

Details:

Dates: March 13–15
Location: Nelson Spiritualist Church
Address: Corner of Tipahi Street & Motueka Street
Format: Non‑residential
Friday: Evening check‑in and introduction
Saturday: Full day, shared lunch, takeaway dinner ordered
Sunday: Shared lunch, finish early afternoon
Cost $20 per head

If interested, contact Victor: 022 326 4157

International Men's Open Day 2026

Do you want to be involved?

We are starting to form the group that will organise the event. We have a manual with timelines on how to proceed. Work ramps up in earnest August/September. Before that there have to be talks about how to shape it this time, what changes in format or promotion, what content to pursue. Last year we had a very intrepid group with lots of fun and interesting talks. The workload was very manageable. You can choose how much is practical for you. If you'd like to explore your participation, contact Hardy: 021 213 2299

Looking for a men's group?

If you've been sitting on the fence so far, or know someone who is looking for a group, we can refer you to a variety of groups to suit you. A new one or an experienced one, younger or older age group. We have put together 7 groups so far and in total have some 12 to 15 groups in Nelson/Tasman. Nationwide through our website we cover virtually all regions.

Contact us or individual groups via the website or directly

The Teepee is open for business

Groups who would like to use this amazing space in the most dramatic surroundings in urban Nelson can book this through Hilary (027 616 5294 or via Signal)

National Men's Conference

We like to encourage you to contribute to a discussion of the merrits and direction of a national men's conference held in Nelson run by men's groups. If you are interested in being part of it, let us know. Click here to contribute to the brain storming thread on the website about the conference.

Mensgroup.nz

Our Nationwide network website - Your website

Alek says there are 43 groups across NZ represented. We cover virtually all regions. How does that make you feel? Check out the site, publish your events, get in touch with us.

Alek has done an outstanding job creating and expanding a truly engaging and professional website for all men’s groups in New Zealand.

Events

Check https://www.mensgroup.nz/events/ for the latest updates

Represent your group on mensgroup.nz

If your group hasn't done so, consider writing a blurb and submit a photo through the website submission form. Its a way of networking with others and may give you new recruits when you need them.

Links

mensgroup.nz ======= That's Our (Your) website

Newbies

If you know someone who is looking for a men's group. Put them in touch with us. We've been very successful in placing dudes in groups.

If you want any announcements in this newsletter and/or on our website like events , vacancies in your group or whatever, contact us. We will however decide if its relevant here. We don’t want to spam people.

mensgroupsnelson@gmail.com

Hardy
Hardybachert@web.de
021 213 2299

Victor
022 326 4157