Whakauae researchers from across the motu and Australia had the immense privilege of once again gathering on the whenua of Mōkai Pātea Nui Tonu from the 28th to the 31st of January for a researchers’ writing retreat. Held at the River Valley Lodge, situated on the Rangitīkei River near Aorangi Maunga, seven of the team were able to find inspiration for a variety of projects they were working on.
Throughout the retreat, soaked in the gorgeous scenery while working and engaging in wānanga. For many, this was an opportunity to collaborate on conference proposals, articles, or more generally engage in whanaungatanga which can be difficult to schedule.
Highlights included a hike up the hills to enjoy stunning views of the valley and surrounding rohe, swimming within the awa, and breathtaking stars at night. We were also well nourished throughout the retreat by the incredible ringa raupā of River Valley Lodge, who grew and prepared an array of delicious kai for every meal, to keep us energised for our writing projects.
Dedicated time to kōrero at the end of the day for the whole team provided opportunities to discuss our reflections on research, tips and advice for the PhD students, and more general opportunity to deepen relationships.
On the final night, we gathered to reflect on the retreat. Over beautiful kai and a rainy evening, we expressed gratitude for being on the whenua, being together, and having the time and space to connect and grow. As researchers who work across the motu and beyond, it is an incredible opportunity to be able to come together to collaborate, debate, and connect. For Whakauae, the retreat is an opportunity to imagine new projects, complete current ones, and reflect on what conferences are coming up in the year. By the conclusion of the retreat we had advanced a range of outputs, including the writing of articles, presentations, PhD chapters and conference abstracts, an interview as well as receiving inspiration to carry us through the beginning of the year!
Those of us who attended agreed it was the opportunity to write, to express our passion for research and for change, to connect to the Whakauae tikanga of Ngākau Tapatahi Aurere that made the retreat what it was. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the kaimahi at River Valley Lodge for their Manaaki Tangata, another core value of Whakauae, and we look forward to our next opportunity to gather.
Whakauae researchers from across the motu and Australia had the immense privilege of once again gathering on the whenua of Mōkai Pātea Nui Tonu from the 28th to the 31st of January for a researchers’ writing retreat. Held at the River Valley Lodge, situated on the Rangitīkei River near Aorangi Maunga, seven of the team were able to find inspiration for a variety of projects they were working on.
Throughout the retreat, soaked in the gorgeous scenery while working and engaging in wānanga. For many, this was an opportunity to collaborate on conference proposals, articles, or more generally engage in whanaungatanga which can be difficult to schedule.
Highlights included a hike up the hills to enjoy stunning views of the valley and surrounding rohe, swimming within the awa, and breathtaking stars at night. We were also well nourished throughout the retreat by the incredible ringa raupā of River Valley Lodge, who grew and prepared an array of delicious kai for every meal, to keep us energised for our writing projects.
Dedicated time to kōrero at the end of the day for the whole team provided opportunities to discuss our reflections on research, tips and advice for the PhD students, and more general opportunity to deepen relationships.
On the final night, we gathered to reflect on the retreat. Over beautiful kai and a rainy evening, we expressed gratitude for being on the whenua, being together, and having the time and space to connect and grow. As researchers who work across the motu and beyond, it is an incredible opportunity to be able to come together to collaborate, debate, and connect. For Whakauae, the retreat is an opportunity to imagine new projects, complete current ones, and reflect on what conferences are coming up in the year. By the conclusion of the retreat we had advanced a range of outputs, including the writing of articles, presentations, PhD chapters and conference abstracts, an interview as well as receiving inspiration to carry us through the beginning of the year!
Those of us who attended agreed it was the opportunity to write, to express our passion for research and for change, to connect to the Whakauae tikanga of Ngākau Tapatahi Aurere that made the retreat what it was. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the kaimahi at River Valley Lodge for their Manaaki Tangata, another core value of Whakauae, and we look forward to our next opportunity to gather.
