not another
RETREAT
MEN DON'T NEED A COMFORTABLE RETREAT.
THEY NEED A CHALLENGE, SOLID MEN & HONEST YARNS.
This is not a retreat.
Men don't need another comfortable weekend. They need challenge, they need time in nature and a group of solid men to do it with.
Guided hikes for men who are running on empty and know it. Not connected to themselves, not connected to other men, not sure where they're going. For the man who knows something needs to change but can't quite name what.
Breathwork, guided yarns, meditation, and time in nature with a group of solid men. No frills. Not comfortable. A chance to find out what you're actually made of.
Video from previous Retreats in 2024. 2026 will be same tools, but different format.
Ready for a Change ?
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Walk
I’m not gonna lie, this probably won’t be a gentle stroll. You need to carry everything you need on your back and hike into the hut. The physical work is part of the experience. Your body and your mind are connected. When your legs are working, your head starts to clear. Nature does the rest.
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Nature
Something happens to a man in the bush. The noise fades. The nervous system settles. Stress hormones drop, mood lifts, and the mind starts to move at a pace you can actually think in. Science backs this up. Nature has been doing it for a lot longer than science has been measuring it.
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Yarns
Men don’t connect face to face, they connect side by side, doing something together. Hiking for four hours, sharing experiences, facing hills, jumping in the same freezing river, grinding through the same struggle. With sharing circles and journal prompts provided to take it further.
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Breath
You will learn different mindfulness and breath techniques to calm your mind and body. From box breathing to full guided breathwork journeys that go deeper. The result is reduced stress, better focus, and a sense of clarity that you can take back to everyday life.
Upcoming 2026 Dates
THE KAIMAIS - SAT 1 & Sun 2 Aug
Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park
Kati Kati, Bay of Plenty. One hour from Tauranga.
Nice walk near a stream and ancient kauri groves, with decent climb, to a nice hut with a cosy fire! One night, two days. Enough time to settle in, slow down, and figure out what you've been carrying that isn't in your pack. A 3.5 to 4 hour, 9km hike. 530m elevation gain one way. Intermediate to Advanced DOC track.
Departing Tauranga Saturday 8am
Back to Tauranga Sunday 2pm approx
Jul Sat 1st & Sun 2 | $169 per person | 10 men max
Whirinaki Forest - FRI 28, Sat 29, Sun 30 AUG
Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tane Conservation Park. Two and a half hours from Tauranga.
Two nights and 34km over three days via the Mangamate Loop Track. Day one is a big 16km, mostly flat, on a decent track, near the Whirinaki River. Days two and three have less distance, and some elevation. Intermediate to advanced. Good level of fitness required for this one!
Departing Tauranga Friday 7am
Back to Tauranga by Sunday 3:30pm approx
August Fri 28, Sat 29, Sun 30 | $399 per person | 10 men max
Opotiki, Eastern BOP Sat 12 & Sun 13 Sept
Urutawa Conservation Area
Opotiki, Eastern Bay of Plenty. Two hours from Tauranga.
Barry Crump territory. He wrote Hunt for the Wilderpeople out here. The bush looks like the movie. Not much has changed. One night, two days. The easiest of the three missions but still a challenge. A 3-4 hour, 9km hike. 438m elevation gain one way. Intermediate DOC track.
Departing Tauranga Saturday 8am.
Back to Tauranga by Sunday 4:30pm approx
September Sat 12, Sun 13 | $219 per person | 10 men max
How do it work?
Men don't need a comfortable retreat. They need nature, challenge and adventure.
Solid men. And honest yarns.
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We carpool together. You hike in carrying everything you need. Yarn circles to set intentions and sharing. Walking, mostly. Stops for mindfulness and kai. Solo time and thought prompts while walking for reflection. Evening yarns at the hut. Journal prompts before sleep.
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Guided movement and breathwork. Time alone for journalling and reflection. Group sharing. You go home different to how you arrived.
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Included in the experience
Hut/Camping Tickets
First aid kit
PLB (personal locator beacon) and emergency satellite communication
Journal
Training guide and the opportunity to join pre-event training hikes
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All your own tramping gear.
Sleeping bag, winter rated to 0°C to 5°C.
All your food and snacks, water bottle for the duration. Camp Stove
All clothing, jacket, thermals etc
Some hikes will require some lads to sleep in a tent, or hammock & tarp as backup due to hut size
Full detailed gear list sent on application.
Testimonials
“take the leap and join in - it will be one of the best decisions you can make!”
To anyone on the fence, absolutely take the leap and join in - it will be one of the best decisions you can make! Truly amazing from start to finish. Just the reset I needed. A whole lot of fun, relaxation, and introspection. Overall brilliant experience!
Joe - ENGINEERING TEACHER
"I truly had an amazing, challenging and learning time. Thank you for your energy”
Allan - DIRECTOR
"the retreat with Kenrick brought me clarity, After A FEW stressful months. Breathwork by the waterfall helped me set intentions to rebalance and reset. It's a transformative experience."
You hear about men using breathing and other meditation techniques to help them with stress and daily life. But it's always hard to start. This retreat was the perfect pattern interupt to take me out of the day to day. Focus on how breathwork and meditation and gratitude can help and learn how to implement them into everyday life.
Jamie - BUSINESS BROKER
"In the retreat, I found a space to rebalance and embrace positivity. The combination of nature, MINDFULNESS, and camaraderie created a safe, open environment for personal growth."
“The retreat was a journey of self-discovery and relaxation. Kenrick's guidance, combined with meditation, cold swims, and sauna, offered a unique environment for inner growth.”
Fredrik - Entrepreneur
What’s included
Hiking.
Mental Health Tools.
Breathwork.
Cold Plunge.
Coffee.
Yarns.
Hiking. Mental Health Tools. Breathwork. Cold Plunge. Coffee. Yarns.
Mental Health Tools
Learn practical techniques to calm your mind and body. Breathwork, guided meditation, mindfulness and grounding tools you'll actually use when you get home.
Challenge
You carry everything you need on your back. That's the point. Increasing dopamine and testosterone provides a crucial sense of purpose and accomplishment. Learn to trust yourself.
Honest Yarns
A sharing circle can seem scary at first, I get it. But something changes when you're in an environment of shared experience, honesty and vulnerability. You’ll hear other guys just like you sharing struggles that are familiar to your own. You only share what you want to share.
Connected to Yourself
These hikes are for men who know something is off but can't name it. Who are running on empty and don't know where to start. The bush, the physical work, and the men around you do something that a comfortable weekend can't.
ABOUT KENRICK
Hi, I’m Rick, and I like a good yarn.
I’m on a mission to figure out how I can be the best man I can, and to help other men do the same.
A few years back I was quite lost, my mental health and my relationship were both going downhill. I didn’t have good friends around me. I was miserable. I thought that was how life was. I kept pushing through. It didn't work.
I’m not gonna tell you I have it all figured out. I’ve still got a lot to learn. But what I do know is this… I feel better when I spend time in nature, challenging myself, and moving my body. Learning to breathe properly, learning to be kind to myself. And growing a group of solid other men who I can be honest with and who are going to push me a little further.
I'm not a therapist (yet). I'm not a guru. I'm a regular bloke who found tools that changed how I move through the world, and I built Yarns with Rick to share them with you.
I don't have it all together. But these hikes are what I need. I'm betting they're what you need too.
Apply
Spots are limited, the application process is in place to ensure that each participant is aligned with the retreat's goals and ready for the experience.
* All information will be kept confidential and not mentioned on the retreats, unless you want to bring it up.
FAQs
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These hikes are limited to 10 men each. The application process is there to make sure everyone who shows up is ready for the experience and the group dynamic works.
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Not part of this. A lot of men use drugs and alcohol to take the edge off, and that's exactly the edge we're here to work with.
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No kumbaya circles here! Our retreats are designed to be approachable and grounded for normal kiwi guys. We focus on practical, real-world mindfulness and connection to self and others. It's about real guys getting together, finding some peace in nature, and learning a few things about themselves.
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No worries if you're never tried meditation before. you're probably already doing it. When you're dying for a surf after a busy day at work, or you get VERY thirsty for beers when your boss is being a dick, or ever find yourself pretty chill when you're out fishing on the boat? That’s you doing a form of meditation, looking for calm. Using a range of 4-4-4-4 Box Breathing, Wim Hof style Breathwork, and other grounding techniques you will find something that works for you!
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You need to be able to carry a 15-20kg pack and walk for 3 to 4 hours with hills in there. For Whirinaki, some training beforehand is recommended. It's 34km over 3 days. The physical challenge is part of the experience.
I will be putting on some group training walks leading up to the retreats. -
Most men spend their whole lives connected to a device and disconnected from themselves. You can bring your phone for emergencies, but reception will be limited at best. Kenrick carries a PLB for emergencies. The plan is not to use it.
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Sorry, this one is just for the lads!
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Absolutely! Kenrick has worked in alternative education and schools with hundreds of young people. Our retreats are open to men aged 16 and above, making it a great opportunity for teenage boys, especially those interested in personal growth and mindfulness. It's a chance for them to step away from daily distractions, learn valuable life skills, and connect with nature and like-minded individuals. Younger will need to be with their legal guardian.
