Belonging. Community. Growth.

Counsellor, Wilderness Rites of Passage Guide, Facilitator

Kia ora I’m Bear Heart, your guide into soulful living.
My hope is that together, we learn to be brighter, more authentic and connected people. You’ll learn the essential skills to tend the garden of your unique life, and how to grow the fruit that sustains your sense of belonging

Living and working in Naarm Melbourne, Australia
With roots in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand

A smiling man with long dark hair, a beard, and hoop earrings, wearing a patterned shirt and a necklace with a green pendant, standing in a lush green outdoor setting.

Melbourne! Let’s create

I’ve recently landed in Melbourne, all the way from Ōtautahi, New Zealand.
If you’re interested in creating together, please reach out bearheartnz@gmail.com

The Vision: A thriving community of wild, free and beautiful people

There’s a place here for you at this hearth, all you need is to take a step.
Join us in re-visioning what it means to be a human in this modern world and take a meaningful step towards creating it together!

While most of my work is for everyone in whatever life stage they’re in, right now I’m focused on men’s work: grappling with the social expectations we as men have been raised with.

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it…
and embrace them”.

- Rumi, plus addition by Tara Brach

Men gathered around a campfire at a winter men's retreat in New Zealand
A group of men in front of a waterfall during a winter men's retreat in New Zealand
People sitting in a circle around a campfire inside a large tent at night during a Wilderness Rites of Passage event in New Zealand
A campfire with flames surrounded by rocks at night.
A large group of men intentionally meeting for men's work sitting in a circle. It's in a spacious, modern room with wooden walls and large windows.
Two men sit on a carpeted floor, engaged in an honest, open hearted conversation, while two others sit apart in the background, having a separate discussion.
Two men sit on a rug, holding hands and facing each other, in a room with wooden walls. One man has long hair, a beard, and wears a faux fur vest. The other man wears a hoodie pulled over his head. Three other men are sitting in the background, obser
People dancing and socializing in a large, warmly lit, wooden-walled room with high ceilings and large glass windows at dusk.
A group of people standing with their hands over their hearts, participating in a gentle moment of silent connection, in a room with wooden walls.
Four men sitting in a circle, smiling and engaging in conversation at an indoor gathering or event.
Three men sitting in a circle participate in an activity, with the man in the middle placing his hand on the shoulder of the man on the left, who has his eyes closed.

  • "One of the most meaningful weekends I've had in a long time. It was structured well and everything felt very grounded, opening and purposeful from start to finish."

    - Tom, The Man I Am Retreat

  • "It was so good to be with just men! We had so much fun and it was refreshing to have honest conversations for once"

    - Anonymous, HeartBeat community gathering

  • "I went to this men's retreat to challenge myself & to look deeper inside myself. I experienced all that and more. A perfect blend of nature, adventure, relating, depth and brotherhood, 10/10 would go again."

    - Nate, The Man I Am Retreat

  • It's a welcome reprieve. Feeling silly? Feel free. Letting that undercurrent of anger come up to the surface? Let it be. Wishing to reconnect with your childlike self? Sure, go ahead. There were no expectations, preconceptions, nor judgements on us

    - Jose, HeartBeat community gathering

  • "One of the deepest experiences of my life. The personal growth over the short space of one weekend was incredible. Building such supportive community and brotherhood was invaluable for me."

    - Elias, The Man I Am Retreat

Follow us on social media

I’m heading to Naarm Melbourne, do you know men in Australia doing this important community building mahi? After 8 years of building up the community here in Ōtautahi Christchurch it’s time for a refresh and clear eyes My hope there is
Happy International Men’s Day everyone! On Sunday 53 of us gathered to tend the heart of this community of men in Ōtautahi Christchurch. There was plenty of laughs, many a honest share, delicious lunch from Scoundrel, and a top up of the stoke
🔥 Mastering The Fire Within! With Daniel Mezacasa Don’t Let Your Fire Fade — Master It. Join us for an introductory session for men harness their life force, vitality & creative energy. Part presentation, part practice, we’ll
👶 Let’s talk about fatherhood this International Men’s Day - the joys, the challenges, and everything in between. Whether you’re a new dad, a grandfather, a father figure, or simply curious about the role, this is a chance to con