The Challenge:
The Challenge
Not every girl is made to fit neatly into society’s boxes. When her spirit isn’t given space to breathe, it often shows up in two ways:
Some rebel.
They are the spark-makers, the truth-tellers, the ones who refuse to keep their heads down. They question, they disrupt, they dare to stand tall in their own skin. Schools may label them “too much,” or bullies may target them because they won’t shrink. But really, they’re blazing with the kind of authentic badassery the world desperately needs.
Some withdraw.
They are the dreamers whose light starts to dim when their brilliance isn’t welcomed. They retreat inward, stop raising their hands, or try to make themselves small to avoid being noticed. Sometimes they silence their own voices, hiding behind perfectionism or shrinking into invisibility. On the outside they seem quiet or compliant, but inside they’re waiting for permission to bloom again.
Our Solution
We celebrate the sacred feminine in every girl, creating a space where she can question the stories modern culture tells her while discovering new skills. Led by aunties who have found peace in the bush and in making with our hands, we weave bushcraft, metalwork, woodwork, food forest creation, herbalism, and foraging into a living curriculum. This is where Ecotherapy meets HeArtivism — Heart, Art, and Activism in action.
In term 4, we will be joining with Cahoots in Wellington. This is a space where women and gender minorities can learn about the trades in a safe and inclusive space. Half of our time will be spent learning metal work and wood work so that we can collectively build a food pantry for Upper Hutt and a metal working a beautiful firepit to use for safe outdoor fires in our community garden. The other half will be spent reconnecting with Papatuanuku, learning regenerative agriculture, herbalism, foraging, and learning about the sacredness of feminine energy.
We will hold wellbeing/philosophy circles and talk about things that really are top of mind for everyone.
We will also be exploring the tools embedded in learning compassionate communication. This is a safe, bully-free zone where we learn to stand in our power and celebrate each others and our own natural gifts.
Held Every Other Wednesday, Term 4.
Who is this program for?
- Tomgirls who don't mind getting dirty or doing traditionally "boy" stuff
- Girls who want to question and challenge mainstream ideas of what girls can be and do.
- Girls who may struggle with mainstream schooling.
- Girls who may have experienced bullying and need support to get their confidence back.
- Girls who have disengaged from school but want to make something of their lives.
- Girls who may be neurodiverse or who simply think differently.
- Girls who sometimes feel alone in a group and want to feel a strong sense of community with other big-hearted "misfits"
- Girls who are intuitive and empathetic who need support to develop and protect these gifts.
Skill Building Taster Sessions
Explorations
Community Projects
When do we meet?
Every other Wednesday in term 4
What ages?
12-18
Where is it held?
Our Base is at Natural Leaders Headquarters in Te Marua, but we explore all over the Wellington Region.
My child identifies as non binary / two spirited?
We welcome young people of all identities. These programmes are not about policing gender identity, but about exploring the archetypal energies of the feminine and the masculine through bushcraft, creativity, and rites of passage.
If your child identifies as gender diverse, they are welcome to choose the strand that resonates most with what they’d like to explore that term. Some young people even move between the two — discovering their relationship with both energy threads over time.
What we do not do is erase or downplay the sacred feminine. This programme is unapologetically about celebrating feminine energy, cycles, and womanhood. In the same way, our Brotherhood strand honours the sacred masculine. Our intent is not division, but balance — honouring both sides of the human story, and the ways they weave together.
What do you mean by sacred feminine?
Over the 10 weeks, we will investigate 10 archetypes of the female form from myths and legends as our beginning circle work. This deepens the understanding of what it means to be a woman beyond social media's toxic gloss.
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The Maiden – Persephone, Vasalisa, Inanna (before descent),
– Symbol of innocence, curiosity, initiation, and the threshold of transformation. -
The Mother / Nurturer – Demeter, Isis, Parvati
– Life-giver, caregiver, fertility, creativity, the archetype of sustenance and unconditional love. -
The Crone / Wise Woman – Hecate, Baba Yaga, Cerridwen
– Keeper of mysteries, death/rebirth, cycles, intuition, and deep guidance. -
The Warrior / Protector – Athena, Durga, Sekhmet, Mulan (legend)
– Embodiment of strategy, courage, defence of community, righteous power. -
The Lover / Muse – Aphrodite, Oshun, Rhiannon
– Archetype of beauty, sensuality, desire, inspiration, and creative passion. -
The Trickster / Shape-shifter – Kali (in her paradoxical play), Maui’s female parallels, Fox Women of East Asia
– Bringer of change, disruption, boundary-pusher, creativity through chaos. -
The Healer / Herbalist – Brigid (Celtic goddess of healing), Eir (Norse), local rongoā healers
– Archetype of herbal wisdom, regeneration, medicine, and wholeness. -
The Huntress / Wild One – Artemis, Skadi, Pachamama’s untamed aspects
– Fierce independence, connection to the wild, protector of animals and the forest. -
The Queen / Sovereign – Hera, Freyja, Queen Māui-tikitiki’s mother Taranga
– Archetype of authority, dignity, leadership, stewardship of the realm. -
The Weaver / Storyteller – Arachne, Spider Grandmother, Penelope
– Archetype of creativity, weaving destiny, memory-keeper, culture-shaper through narrative and craft.
What is Somatic Ecotherapy?
Ecotherapy uses nature as a tool to support self-regulation. Somatic therapy understands that the Body Keeps the Score and holds many of our undigested emotions. If we don't learn how to properly release what is no longer ours to hold we end up with mental and physical health problems as a result. Our circles give space to collectively explore our blocks to wellbeing and find creative and compassionate ways to release them. This is also how we are able to keep the bullying aspects out of our program as we have safe containers to work through community issues.
What if my daughter doesn't want to do one of the taster sessions?
Choice is #1 with us no one is ever forced to do something that they do not wish to do. We ask that everyone give things a crack and learn to step out of their comfort zone, and we make it fine to fail and fail spectacularly. We work on perfection paralysis by making light of our faceplants and successes equally. But the power of choice is always in your daughter's hands.
My child is neurodiverse, is this a problem?
Cool, so is the lead instructor. She has a long history of working with neurodiverse youth. For this program, safety issues come up with the heavy machinery if they also have ODD and can't take direct instruction well or if their ears are only painted on. Otherwise, it should be fine.
My child is disabled, is this problematic for the course?
This will be child-dependent. Please discuss your child's needs, and we will see if we have the training and resources to support them.
My child has a trauma history. Is this catered for?
The lead instructor is a somatic, ecotherapist and youth worker. We understand the challenges and needs that come with supporting girls who have experienced bullying and other traumas. We know that bullying is one of the main predictors of disengagement from school and social connections. We also know that abuse of women is unfortunately high. We are sensitive to this experience and have tools to help. However, this is not a replacement for one-on-one professional therapy, and we encourage you to get layered support if possible.
What does it cost? Sliding Scale
- $95.00 / week covers the full running costs of the program
- $65.00 / week is partially subsidised
- $20.00 / week plus barter of time supporting the program or something else.
- Some full scholarships are available
My child is homeschooled, can I attend with them?
Yes if you identify as a woman but it costs an extra $40.00 a session. Have a day off or join the party. Your choice :).
Get on the Waitlist -
This isn't a commitment just an enquiry - we will first meet with all potential students to determine safe fit.