It is with a sense of delight and a realisation of the possible that I write.
Recently I applied for and was granted Department of Conservation (DOC) approval to access nine walking track sites, with permission to guide people on these, within the Tararua and Remutaka forest parks.
This means that the experiences I want to offer now have a close to home centring, allowing me to hold most of my workshops and retreats, along with rewilding days at these sites, with the primary location being within the greater Taratahi (Mount Holdsworth) area. A place with lots of space and magnificent native trees, easy formed tracks and the beautiful Awa – The Atiwhakatu River. The last part of the formal process is underway with an independent audit of my safety plan being conducted.
While DOC provides the authorisation, entering the ngahere (forest) for me has to be done with respect and dignity of the local Iwi – Rangitāne o Wairarapa and Kahungunu ki Wairarapa. Meeting with them to talk about the journey I’m on and the one I want to take others on, has been a very precious part of my own unfolding. I have learnt and have a deeper understanding and consideration, to do my best, to tell any of their stories and history in these locations, in an accurate and respectful way. To enter the ngahere with the reverence it and the people who have lived, died and passed through it, need to be shown.
I’m looking forward to meeting and working with those who attend workshops in these places to reclaim a deeper connection with nature, to find their own sacred connections. The frist will be a pilot launch of my ‘Sacred Friday’s’ in late March. I might see you there.
Side stream before entering the Atiwhakatu
Live Like The River Flows 