Kumanu for April 2025
Written by Louise, Georgia and Chani
Tēnā koutou e te whānau o Wangapeka,
This month, we’d like to share a bit about how things are going at the Centre – a behind-the-scenes look at some of the realities we’re navigating, and a warm invitation to be part of shaping what comes next.
We’re aware that everyone’s lives are full, and we truly don’t want to place extra weight on anyone. At the same time, it feels important to speak openly and honestly about both the beauty and the challenges of running the Centre – and how you, the community, can play a role in supporting and co-creating its future.
In short: we’re in a time of change, and we’re inviting you to help us imagine what’s next. 
Some of the things we’re noticing:
– In the next year or two, some of our senior teachers may step back from teaching as regularly. This has financial implications, as many retreats are both learning opportunities and income generators.
– Use of the Centre is growing – which is beautiful, and also means more mahi. At the same time, living costs are increasing, and it’s becoming harder for some in our community to afford retreats.
– We’re needing more hands on deck. Many people supporting the Centre are now needing at least some form of koha or payment for their time. Others are slowing down after many years of service. We want to honour that and plan well for the future. The enthusiastic young skilled bodies that built our centre, through generous effort, are well into their retirement, and we’re not seeing huge numbers of young bodies showing up to replace them!
– Our model is shifting, and needs to shift. We have been recognising the need to move away from a “bums on seats to pay the bills” model for some time. The evolution of a residential community of service and practice is part of that, but that is very much an experiment in process.
– Our Board is working hard. Right now, Board members are often in operational roles, which is stretching our capacity. We’re a small team, and while we’re committed, it’s clear we need more support. Sub-committees are also often stretched.
– Maintenance needs are increasing. Like any place with old buildings and lots of use, we’re seeing more wear and tear. The team caring for the whenua and infrastructure is more frequently under-resourced in local personnel and future funding resources. We are now entering a model where such basic maintenance expertise is needing commercial payment.
– And most importantly – the long view. How do we keep the teachings and the heart of Wangapeka alive over the next 50 years? What forms might our practice take? Who will teach? What kind of community do we want to grow here?
These are all good questions. They’re signs that the Centre is alive, evolving, and calling for attention and creativity, and yet they present a huge challenge and responsibility for those who largely volunteer to keep Wangapeka functioning.
No-one, or even a few of us, can solve the problems on our own.
This is where you all come in! We want to activate the collective intelligence of the community and we’d love to hear from you.
What are your thoughts? What ideas do you have? What can you offer?
If you could wave a magic wand – or a magic rākau – what might you dream up for Wangapeka?
Big or small, practical or poetic – all thoughts/whakaaro are welcome. Together, we can explore fresh possibilities, support each other, and continue nurturing this beautiful place and the kaupapa that flows through it.
2025 Community Weekends
To support this ongoing conversation, we have two community weekends scheduled this year, June 27 – 29, and November 21 – 23.
The community weekends were earmarked for 2025 after realising that the AGM was often the only time that the community came together as a collective to discuss formally some of the challenges facing Wangapeka and the board. These weekends have been established to foster a stronger sense of community involvement in the decisions and running of the centre, so that more of our community can feel like guardians of this precious place.
We would like to hear from everyone closely involved with the centre (as much as possible), and those not currently involved, about how we are all doing with this current model – Is it working for you? What is not working? How much capacity do you have? Our sense is that we are over delivering and under resourced for the longer term future. Is this your sense too? What else is possible?
Please offer your feedback here, or use the button below. This information will be used to guide our decision making and the crafting of these community weekends. We greatly value any and all input you wish to offer.
The first community weekend is coming up on June 27th – 29th. All the details of the weekend will be available soon. We will make it affordable for everyone who wants to to attend, and are also working on setting up a Zoom link for those who cannot attend in person.
Would you like to be part of shaping this event? Please contact Dan Burgess-Milne if you would like to be part of the team.
It would be wonderful if the weekend was a community crafted initiative, involving some practice time, alongside meaningful discussion on how to respond to and grapple with what we are facing.
Thank you in advance for your support, reflections, feedback and contributions.
Ngā mihi mahana,
With warm appreciation,
The Wangapeka Board
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