The Challenge:
The Challenge
Not every young person is made to fit neatly into the boxes society builds. When their spirit doesn’t find room to breathe, it often shows up in two ways:
Some rebel.
They are the disrupters—the adventurers, the truth-tellers, the ones who refuse to bow their heads. They challenge the status quo, speak out, and push boundaries. Schools may see them as too loud, too wild, too much. But really, they’re burning with a fierce authenticity the world needs.
Some withdraw.
They are the quiet ones, who once brimmed with energy and curiosity but no longer feel safe to bring it forward. They retreat into screens or video games, where failure feels less risky and adventure more controlled. On the outside they may look disengaged, but inside their untapped potential waits, withering on the vine, longing for a real challenge to call them back to life.
Both responses are born from the same truth: these young people are not broken—they are different in the most vital, necessary ways. What they need is not more labels or discipline, but spaces that celebrate their spirit and challenge them to grow into the best version of themselves.
Our Solution
Natural Leaders - Balanced Brotherhood – Term 4
We celebrate the sacred masculine in every boy, creating a space where he can question the scripts modern culture pushes on him while discovering his own strengths. Led by uncles and mentors who have found steadiness in the bush and meaning in making with our hands, we weave bushcraft, archery, fishing, regenerative gardening, and foraging into a living curriculum. This is where Ecotherapy meets HeArtivism — Heart, Art, and Activism in action.
In Term 4, we will deepen our bushcraft skills. The boys will learn to build survival shelters from natural materials, cook on open fires, and practise orienteering. They will also explore primitive skills — including crafting their own bow and arrow — alongside regenerative gardening, herbalism, and the art of foraging.
We will hold wellbeing and philosophy circles where we talk about what’s really on our minds.
We will also explore the tools of compassionate communication. This is a safe, bully-free zone where we learn to stand in our strength, support one another, and celebrate both our brotherhood and our own unique natural gifts.
Held Wednesdays, Term 4.
What we do-
Skill Building Taster Sessions
Explorations
Community Projects
When do we meet?
Wed during school hours during the school term.
What ages?
10-18
Where is it held?
Our Base is at Mangaroa Farms in Whitemans Valley, 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 nonbinary or two-spirited, 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 masculine. This programme is unapologetically about celebrating the masculine energy. In the same way, our Wilding Wise Women strand honours the sacred feminine. 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 masculine?
Over the 10 weeks, we will investigate 10 archetypes of the masculine form from myths and legends as our beginning circle work. This deepens the understanding of what it means to be a man beyond social media's toxicity.
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Sacred Masculine Archetypes
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The Youth / Initiate – Hermes, Lugh, Maui
– Curiosity, play, threshold crossing, openness to transformation. -
The Father / Protector – Osiris, Tāne Mahuta, benevolent Zeus
– Life-giving, guiding, providing structure and safety. -
The Sage / Elder – Odin, Merlin, Tāwhaki-as-seeker
– Deep wisdom, teacher, memory keeper, initiator. -
The Warrior / Defender – Arjuna, Thor, Kū
– Courage, discipline, defender of community and values. -
The Lover / Romantic – Eros, Krishna, Dionysus
– Passion, intimacy, beauty, inspiration, connection. -
The Trickster – Loki, Coyote, Maui
– Boundary-breaker, paradox-bearer, revealer through disruption. -
The Shaman / Medicine Man – Chiron, Asclepius, Tohunga
– Healer, connector to spirit and plant medicine, world-bridger. -
The Hunter / Provider – Heracles, Orion, Arawhata
– Skilled survivalist, steward of the balance between taking and giving. -
The King / Sovereign – Arthur, Rā, Manu
– Stewardship, responsibility, leadership of the realm. -
The Builder / Storykeeper – Daedalus, Wayfinders, Tāne-te-wānanga
– Maker of culture, architect, keeper and teller of ancestral stories.
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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 son 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 son'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 sharp things if they also have ODD and can't take direct instruction well or if their ears are only painted on. Or if they tend to run away if they are triggered. Unfortunately, there is no fenced area, and this is dangerous for everyone. Otherwise, it should be fine, but there will be a trial session to see if we are a good fit for each other.
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 young men 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 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?
- It is a sliding scale from $95.00 to $65.00 to $20 to a Full Scholarship. Full payment is transactional and removes you from the responsibility of supporting the program in other ways. The smaller payments come with community-building time and support for the program. Or you could do both if the means and time allow.
- Often, grants or programs can help offset the cost of the program, depending on the support your child receives.
My child is homeschooled, can I attend with them?
Yes, if you identify as a man, but it costs an extra $40.00 a session. Have a day off or join the party. Your choice :).
Get on the Waiting List -
This isn't a commitment just an enquiry - we will first meet with all potential students to determine safe fit.