Men looking for connection, support, or simply a good conversation are being encouraged to attend a free International Men's Day event in Nelson this month.
Organised by local men's groups, the day is designed to give men a chance to meet others, learn about the groups, and experience honest conversations in a supportive environment.
Alek Lisefski, one of the organisers, says he became involved in men's groups while living in the United States and was surprised by how difficult they were to find after moving to New Zealand.
"I already knew it was something I wanted in my life, and I just couldn't find it, so we've done a lot of work in the last five years to make this really public and available and accessible for any man."
Alek says the event is designed to be welcoming and informal, whether attendees are simply looking to expand their social circle or seeking a safe space to talk about challenges in their lives.
"There's absolutely no commitment and there's no registration required. You just show up. Some people just drop in for 20 minutes and are like, ‘ah, not for me’. Other people stay the entire day and love it."
He says men often have friends but few opportunities to talk openly about what is happening in their lives without fear of judgment or being told how to fix their problems.
The event will include demonstration men's sharing circles, allowing visitors to take part or simply observe.
"We'll be doing several demonstration men's sharing circles to show guys what it looks like. Men can participate or just watch. It's a chance for men to see what honest sharing looks like and to learn the basic rules around confidentiality, non-judgement, and self-responsibility, etc."
Alek says the men's group formed after last year's event brought together people from a wide range of backgrounds and ages.
"There were men in their 20s and in their 80s and a whole range of extremes. So, it works. It doesn't have to be all guys that are the same. Because you show up and you're able to share what's going on in your life really honestly and openly, and have other people not judge you, and that works no matter where you are in life. It's not something that requires you to have a whole lot in common other than that."
Men already involved in local groups will also share the benefits they have experienced, including improved confidence, communication, relationships, boundary-setting and a clearer sense of what they want from life.
Activities will be running to keep kids entertained to encourage solo dads to attend, and there will be low cost food on offer.
The International Men's Day event will be held at Victory Community Centre on Saturday, 14 November, from 11am-5pm. Attendance is free and no registration is required.
