The Shepherdess Muster 2026 Programme
We’re excited to share the programme outline for The Muster. Our programme manager, Arpége Taratoa-Rangikura, has curated an inspiring weekend built around three core pillars:
Ngā Mahi Toi / The Arts –
Creative and performing
arts experiences
Pakihi & Rakahinonga / Business Development & Entrepreneurship – Leadership, business and
personal development
He Tūhauora / Health & Wellbeing –
Access to health services and
tools for personal wellbeing
2026 Programme Outline
Friday
From 3.00pm. Arrive and set up your campsite or settle into your tented accommodation.
4.00pm – 6.00pm. Check-in and enjoy a refreshment and bite to eat after your drive.
Register for workshops and book beauty and health appointments.
Browse market stalls.
Get ready for the evening – dress-up theme - Sequins and Sparkles.
6:00pm. Mihi welcome – MC Jemma Robertson along with The Shepherdess Muster Committee.
6:30pm. Bar opens and canapés flowing.
7.30pm. Dinner – walk and fork.
8.00pm. Comedy show with Michèle A’Court.
9.00pm. Keily Smith and Triple Shot band kicks off – time to hit the dance floor.
Pleasure stall opens.
If you’d like a quieter evening, learn how to make no-knead sourdough with Katherine Mitchell.
Late. Supper.
Saturday
6.30am. Start the day your way, with optional fitness sessions: Yoga with Aly Doherty, Zumba with Sheila Smith, or Nature Walk with Jesse Bythell.
7.00am – 8.00am. Breakfast.
8.20am. MC kick off.
8.30am. Keynote – The Accidental Activist with loud-about-women’s-rugby sports columnist and podcaster Alice Soper. Southlander and former Black Ferns Carol Hayes will join Alice on stage for an in-conversation interview during Alice’s keynote.
9.15am. Keynote – The Intimacy Session – what we need to know about our bodies, our minds and our relationships with sex and relationship therapist Jo Robertson.
10.00am. Morning Tea.
10.30am. Concurrent Workshops – Session One.
Noon. Lunch.
12.40pm. Local Spotlight with Katherine Mitchell.
12.55pm. Health message with Dr Helen Paterson from the Woman’s Health Bus.
1pm. Keynote - From Dawn to Dusk with Rangihuatake Sharne Parkinson, toi Māori and taonga puoro practioner, and storyteller.
2.00pm. Concurrent Workshops – Session Two.
3.00pm. Afternoon Tea.
3.30pm. Concurrent Workshops – Session Three.
4.45pm. Late Afternoon Workshop Sessions.
Get ready for dinner – dress-up theme is Petals and Prints.
5.00pm. Bar opens.
6.45pm. Seated for a sit-down dinner with a performance by Morina Colyer and Saniya Thompson from South Pole Dance Studio.
9.00pm. Live music by Khellsey-Anna Atley – get your dancing shoes on! For those who’d like a quieter evening, we’ll have a gentle workshop option for you.
Sunday
6:30am. Start your morning with optional fitness sessions: Yoga with Aly Doherty, Zumba with Sheila Smith, or Nature Walk with Jesse Bythell.
7.00am – 7.45am. Breakfast.
7.45am. Business and Entrepreneurship Panel. Featuring Miriana Stephens from Wakatū Incorporation, Anna Guenther from PledgeMe and Kate Macdonald from Davaar.
9.00am. Concurrent Workshops – Session Four.
10.15am. Concurrent Workshops – Session Five.
11.30am. Lunch.
Noon. A little bit of comedy with Michèle A’Court before you head home.
12.15pm. Poroporoaki farewell.
Running throughout the weekend:
Throughout the weekend there will be five workshop sessions, each with five workshops running concurrently. Guests have the choice of which workshop session to participate in.
Workshops include starting your sourdough journey with Katherine Mitchell, women's health and wellbeing with Dr Rachel Copland, an empowering chair dance workshop with South Pole Dance, an introduction to fly fishing with Kristina Placko, pelvic floor workshops with Anna Thompson, and traditional Māori instruments workshops with Sharne Parkinson.
We’re working on the full programme - we’ll share that here in the next few weeks.
For a glimpse into what we got up to in Mōtū, check out our 2024 festival guide below or download the programme booklet here.