Free, confidential men's groups meeting regularly across the Auckland region — a space to connect, grow, and be heard. Open to all men, no experience required.
Essentially Men is a community dedicated to connecting and empowering men across New Zealand. Rooted in a uniquely Kiwi approach, we embrace diversity and provide a safe, supportive space where men of all backgrounds can explore personal growth. Our ethos is built on men supporting men, fostering stronger connections within families and communities.
We offer transformative workshops designed to help men deepen their self-awareness, navigate life’s challenges, and unlock their full potential. Our experiential programs welcome all men, whether life is going well or you're facing struggles, questioning your identity, or seeking a renewed sense of purpose.
Our starting workshop is called Men Being Real and starts with building a safe/trusting container for the weekend so that men can find their voice, break their isolation, tell their story and increase their emotional capacity. Each workshop:
We have run 133 Men Being Real workshops which has led to the formation of 133 men’s groups. We operate mainly in Auckland, Northland and Waikato but have men coming from all over NZ (and occasionally overseas) to attend a workshop.
Our website www.essentiallymen.net is a great source of information and also has phone numbers and email addresses if you would like to contact us.
A peer support/growth group created in July 2019 with presently 8 members with a mixture of youngish family men and several retired men. A powerful group with much combined experience. Please either attend the Men Being Real or New Warrior training course before applying to join. Thank you.
Our group came out of the Essentially Men 'Men Being Real / MBR' weekend (EM106) around 2018. We often meet for dinner at 6pm before starting our meeting at 7.00pm. Usually around 3 to 6 of us meet. We have had men join us in the past who were not on our specific 2018 MBR weekend who come for 3 trial meetings to see how we suit each other. All the men who have joined us have previously attended an MBR weekend and are actively involved in mens work.
We formed the Kauri Brotherhood nearly 10 months ago and have built a solid group of 10-15 men who regularly attend our circles. Jerry and Charlie (founders) have experience of men's work in various contexts including the Mankind Project, Courage to be a Man (Coromandel), Rites of Passage Foundation and other settings. Our intention is to create a safe, supportive space for all men to share what's happening in their lives and to build the bonds of brotherhood regardless of age or circumstance. At the core of our purpose is US native American teacher and Sacred Sons leader Phillip Folsom's call that as men, it's not enough just to heal. We must be strong enough to serve. So as well as looking after our brothers, we want to find ways to contribute to making a better community and world. We've also just returned from a wonderfully deep Sweat lodge experience together in Taupo.
Our Pürakau Through Ubuntu is a progressive men’s group, steeped in tradition, combining Mãori & African philosophies.
Here's a breakdown and reflection on what it represents:
Together, "Our Puräkau Through Ubuntu" is a collective storytelling through Kōrero, our members truth, experiences together with communal identity, framed within a spirit of unity, empathy, and interdependence. This approach serves men to look to the past to inform our futures better, a guiding philosophy we build together, by men for all men, be they alone, fathers, sons, husbands, brothers. Just brothers, supporting brothers themselves through their own experiences and learning. Let’s focus on the facts and keep the opinions irrelevant. I am an unconditionally loving person to all as my way of life and the rules of this platform as put together by the administrators will be strictly facilitated in order to ensure a healthy, safe space for all men, welcome, I am a coach of rugby boys, football and cricket, so you know where I am coming from, respect and love to the entire team of men, always 🙏
Not sure if a men's group is for you?
There's no obligation and there may be a group closer than you think.
Check out "What is a men's group?", or...
If you are interested in joining a group (or checking one out causally) get in touch with the group directly — using the contact info at the bottom of each listing.
If the group has space, you will be invited to attend a meeting to check it out. The group will welcome you, and will explain and demonstrate how things work.
If more than one group exists in your area, feel free to try two or more to find the best long-term fit for you.
