Men's Groups Newsletter - May 2026

Hello ,

Men's work is going well in our region with events coming up and an opportunity to meet other groups through our open group month of May. Hope you're are all doing well and your group is thriving.

In this issue:

Weekend Workshop: A New Men's Story, Summary
May, Open Group Month
Rotoiti Men's Retreat - 29 May to 1 June
Facilitation & Leadership Workshop - 25 to 27 September 2026
International Men's Open Day 2026 - 14 Nov 2026
Summer Retreat (formerly Waitangi Retreat) - 12 to 14 February 2027

Weekend Workshop: A New Men's Story, debrief

From 13-14 March Victor held non-residential daytime retreat which dealt with the position men feel themselves to be in in society in 2026. Concise information segments presented by Victor were followed by circle segments where participants shared their experiences and personal views. We based this on the principles of circle work by focussing on ourselves and our perceptions, with a loosening towards allowing points of view opinions. This was very successful and insightful and showed one more time that we can talk about more than feelings without getting bogged down in polarised views or deflecting our personal responsibility, projecting and blaming.

May Open Group Month

For the whole month of May 8 groups in Nelson have opened themselves up to visitors from other groups. At this time this is limited to men who are in groups. In the past everyone who's visited another group has usually raved about the experience.

See how other men's processes differs to yours, learn different perspectives. Make friends with the other men in our wider culture. In the wilderness out there of people not being open to share their real self, their vulnerabilities and challenges, these guys are your tribe, they speak your language and will extend their trust and care towards you.

Hillary coordinates the whole thing. If your group is on signal you will find the schedule when the groups meet and who is the groups contact. If you dont know the groups at all you can check their profiles on mensgroup.nz under Nelson groups. You can also talk to me or Hilary to figure out which one is interesting to you.

Hilary 027 616 5294

Hardy 021 213 2299

Rotoiti Men's Retreat - 29 May to 1 June

It’s been going since the 90s. Murray has held space all this time, twice a year. Men come from all over the country, on average 25 guys. To me it’s the rite of passage for every man who does circle work. Over 3 nights, 4 days, 6 circles, sharing cooking and meals, walks and workshops, you have the opportunity to go deeper than a fortnightly men's group can go in 2-3 hours.

Explore the deeper layers of what's going on for you. Enjoy the comradery and sense of belonging. For the price of a couple of 30-45 minute counselling sessions you get all that.

More info at https://www.mensgroup.nz/event/kings-birthday-mens-retreat/

Facilitation & Leadership Workshop

25 – 27 Sept 26

Deer Lodge, St Arnaud

Last year’s inaugural leadership weekend was a full on success. We all walked away more confident in our role inside the movement. Whether you a are interested in facilitating a new group, be an uncle, whether your group has become stuck (conflicts, low energy ie attendance, no one processing deeply...) or you want to be more involved in the overall organising and promoting of our culture, this weekend retreat will give you all the aspects.

We talk about group formation, active participation, making a call when no one else dares, conflict and mental health challenges. Leadership without power and ego. The principles of our philosophy. The techniques, themes, challenges of group work.

This is not a lecture series but active engagement of all participants, bring in your experience and queries. Seasoned facilitators will share their knowledge.

This event is strictly by pre-booking. The cost is $90 for the whole weekend. If you have a problem committing contact Hardy 021 213 2299.

More info at https://www.mensgroup.nz/event/top-of-the-south-facilitation-leadership-workshop/

International Men's Open Day 2026 - seeking your input

14 November 2026

Victory Community Center

A lot of you have joined a group through Int Men’s Day. You've seen the benefits. You experienced how it works. How do you feel about contributing?

Do you want to offer your energy?

There is a group that will organise the event. We are very open for new people. 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 us (021 213 2299 Hardy or Martin or Victor or Maurice or Alek)

Summer Retreat (formerly Waitangi Retreat)

12 – 14 Feb 2027

Deer Lodge, St Arnaud

We created this retreat with new guys in mind. We are going just as deep but take the time for newer men to learn what’s happening when the circles go deeper.

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 14-16 February.

This is for men of all levels of experience, but we emphasise 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 no one is pushed towards anything they aren’t comfortable with.

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

We arrive Friday 14^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 $90 for the weekend.

This event is strictly by pre-booking. The cost is $90 for the whole weekend. If you have a problem committing contact Hardy 021 213 2299.

More info at https://www.mensgroup.nz/event/summer-mens-retreat-formerly-waitangi-retreat/

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.

Mensgroup.nz

Our Nationwide network website - Your website

Alek says there are 47 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

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