Festival Guide | What to expect

The weekend’s format was a mix of entertainment, workshops and guest speakers with space in between to chat, relax, and browse a few market stalls.

Check out our 2024 festival guide below or download the programme booklet here.

Programme

  • From 3.00pm. Arrive and set up your campsite or settle into your tented accommodation.

    4.00pm - 6.00pm. Our registration desk is open. Check-in and enjoy a refreshment and bite to eat after your drive. Register for workshops and book beauty and health appointments. Browse stalls. Get ready for the evening – ‘Op Shop Frock’ dress theme.

    6.00pm. Welcome – Mana Whenua and MC Jemma Brackebush, along with The Shepherdess Muster Committee.

    6.30pm. Bar opens and canapés flowing.

    7.30pm. Walk and fork.

    8.00pm. Comedy show from Michele A'Court.

    9.00pm. Shabang band kicks off – time to hit the dance floor and Pleasure Stall opens.

    Late. Supper.

  • 6.30am. Let's get moving with some morning fitness sessions: Farm Walk with Katie Griffin, Hatha Yoga with Becs Erickson or Dance Fitness with Studio L’amour. Proudly supported by Rabobank.

    7.00am - 8.15am. Breakfast. Proudly supported by The Evergreen Foundation.

    8.20am. MC Welcome & Opening Greeting from East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick.

    8.30am. Keynote – ‘My Personal Journey’ with Pania Te Paiho, Wahine Toa Hunting.

    9.15am. Keynote – ‘Interruptions to Intimacy,’ from Sex and Relationship therapist Jo Robertson.

    10.00am. Morning tea. Morning and afternoon tea proudly supported by Craigs Investment Partners.

    10.30am. Workshop Session One.

    12.00pm. Lunch.

    12.40pm. Melanoma NZ Nurse. Proudly supported by FMG.

    12.45pm. Keynote, – ‘Let’s Talk about Menopause,’ from Sarah Connor, founder of Menopause over Martinis*.

    1.30pm. Local spotlight: Jen Mildenhall.

    2.00pm. Workshop Session Two.

    • How to Build, Maintain and Utilise a Social Media Presence with Pania Tepaiho

    • Floral Crowns with Rhonda of Flora Forms

    • Let’s Talk about Menopause with Sarah Connor

    • Radical Rest with Becs Erickson

    • The Basics of Financial Literacy with accountants Erin Barnes and Tessa Lochead

    3.00pm. Afternoon tea.

    3.30pm. Workshop Session Three.

    4.30pm. Late Afternoon Workshops. Get ready for dinner – ‘Bold and Blooms’ dress theme.

    5.00pm. Bar opens.

    6.30pm. Sit-down dinner, with a burlesque performance by Studio L’amour. Proudly supported by AGMARDT.

    9.00pm. Live music by Shabang – get your dancing shoes on and Pleasure Stall opens.

    Late. Supper.

    During the day you can browse the market stalls, book a beauty and/or health appointment, and also participate in the Artsbreak area.

  • 6.30am. Let’s get moving with our morning fitness sessions: Farm Walk with Katie Griffin, Hatha Yoga with Becs Erickson or Dance Fitness with Studio L’amour. Proudly supported by Rabobank.

    7.00am - 7.45am. Breakfast.

    7.45am. Business and Entrepreneurship Panel led by Rabobank’s Emma Higgins. Panel members will include Claire Edwards from Tora Collective, Lucy Griffiths from Innov8 Aotearoa and Robyn Young from Robyn Young HR.

    9.00am. Workshop Session Four.

    • Authentic Marketing with Claire Edwards

    • Using Technology to Save Time on Your Financial Administration with accountants Erin Barnes and Tessa Lochead

    • Hei Ringa – Weave your own harakeke bangle with Fiona Collis

    • Gut Health with Katie Griffin

    • How to Support Yourself, Your Mum, Sisters, Friends and Colleagues Through Menopause with Sarah Connor

    10.15am. Workshop Session Five.

    • Floral Crowns with Rhonda of Flora Forms

    • Youth, Sex and Porn – Equipping whanau and caregivers to start the conversation with Jo Robertson

    • A Māori Lens with Jo Barbarich

    11.30am. Lunch. Proudly supported by PGG Wrightson.

    11.45am. Local spotlight: Fiona Collis.

    12.00pm. A little bit of comedy from Michèle A’Court before you head home.

    12.15pm. Farewell and Poporoaki.

Workshops:

Throughout the weekend there are five workshop sessions, each with five workshops running concurrently. You will have the choice of which workshop session you wish to participate in. Some workshops will be capped due to art materials required or to allow for tuition.

Workshops include harakeke weaving with Fiona Collis, financial literacy basics with accountants from NLA, making floral crowns with Flora Forms, an introduction to stand-up comedy with Michèle A’Court, burlesque with Studio L’amour, and talking about menopause with Sarah Connor. Check out the current line up here!