Workshop Applications for Relish 2025 are now open.

If you're keen to offer a workshop, whether it is speaking, movement, fire or circus, healing focus , please read on and fill in the questionnaire.

Kia Ora e te whānau.

We are excited you are interested in sharing some of your knowledge, skills and art with us during this year's Relish Gathering. Our plan is to offer a varied and exciting array of workshops—something for everyone.

If you are interested in offering a workshop or healing session, please read on and apply.
Workshop & healing applications are open from October 28th - December 28th 2024

Workshop topics: we're a pretty open-minded bunch and are open to any suggestions. Here are some of the topics we're definitely interested in - in no particular order:

Music, Dance and Movement, Acro-yoga, Circus skills, slack-lining, ...
Children focused workshops
Singing, Storytelling, Improv, Kirtan, ...
Community building / service / volunteering, Leadership, Communication, Relationships, Family topics (mother-daughter, father-son, single parenting, etc.), How to start and maintain a movement, ...
Global and NZ environment, Sustainability, Resilience, Eco living, ...
Creativity, Arts, Crafts, 'How to make a...' ...
How our brain works, How our body works, Health, Sexuality, Breath, Massage, Stress relief, Nutrition, Naturopathy, Herbalism, ...
Meditation, Mindfulness, Yoga, Qi Gong.
Gardening, seed saving, composting, cooking, preserving, ...
Maori Culture, Local History, ...
Games that get people to play together!
Women’s circles, men’s circles, or non-binary circles etc ...

Reminder on Relish dates: campers can come and camp on site at Korimako as early as Wednesday the 5th of March, and stay until Monday 10th of March.

Workshop time slots: Workshop slots are limited and fit within the available timeslots:

Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 6pm.

We will do our best to accommodate your preferences, but cannot guarantee specific time slots. Certain workshops are able to be held outside of 10am-6pm time slot, depending on their focus and intention.

There is a limit of two workshops per person.

Workshop Application : please fill out the application below by the 28th of December at the very latest. If you need inspiration or guidance on how to write a good workshop title and description, please find some tips below the questionnaire at the bottom of this page.

The information you provide will be shared with Relish Gathering participants via newsletters, Facebook posts, workshop timetables and posters. We’ll get back to you ASAP with answers to your questions and the Workshop Schedule should be ready by mid February.

Contact person:

If you wish to chat with one of us about your workshop, please email our workshop co-ordinator Amanda at workshops@relishfestival.co.nz

For your information, we have the following zones:

Expand Workshop zone - Talks, panels and discussions about worldly topics such as environment, arts, culture, wellness, community, history, movement… workshops@relishfestival.co.nz
Fire and Flow - Circus, flow arts, slack line, fire spinning, aerial…. relishfestivalflow@gmail.com
Revive Zone - Massage, Reiki, Shiatsu, Acupressure, Reflexology, and workshops…healingwithrelish.scc@gmail.com
Serene Zone - Yoga, Qi Gong, Acro-yoga, Improv, Ecstatic Dance, Kirtan, Movement…. relishfestivalyoga@gmail.com
Kids Zone - Storytelling, making and creating, singing, dancing, playtime….
relishfestivalkids@gmail.com

Any inquires outside of the Workshop zones, including the two music tents and the chill zone in the fabulous kitchen tent, should be directed to admin@relishfestival.co.nz

Important Information on our ethos and memberships for workshop facilitators:

The ethos of the Relish Gathering is one of kindness, co-creation, collaboration, generosity and sharing. The community members contribute to the cost of creating the gathering by each paying for their membership. The only people exempt from this are the core crew, who put in countless hours of organisational mahi before the event, and the musicians, as Relish is primarily a music festival and the organisers value this. In return, the musicians who attend are selected because of their commitment to stay for the length of the festival, become part of the community, and ask for less remuneration than they would at a normal gig. The money gathered from memberships is used to cover the expense of creating Relish. We (the members) then all work together to create the gathering, gifting what time or skill we can offer, whether big or small. It is this creative effort that makes the event belong-to and be a product of us all.

Understanding that the above ethos is an integral part of what makes Relish gathering what it is, the organisers are willing to talk with you, as a Workshop Facilitator, if you feel that paying for a membership does not fit with you. We understand that holding workshops may be your livelihood, you may not be able to attend the whole gathering, or you might not have the current funds to cover the membership cost. We can take this into consideration and are happy to have a conversation about how we can make it work.

Important information: Applicants with a current Relish membership have first priority for Workshop time slots. There are a small number of memberships available for Workshop Applicants whose offerings are particularly aligned with the flavour of Relish, and/or bring more balance and diversity to what’s on offer; once again we can take this into consideration.

Please note that while we welcome a wide range of workshop topics and facilitators, it is important that all content aligns with the ethos and values of Relish. Workshops that do not resonate with our mission of fostering kindness, co-creation, collaboration, generosity, and community spirit may not be selected. As we strive to create an inclusive, safe, and supportive environment, content that conflicts with these values, or that may disrupt the sense of shared ownership and generosity, may not be considered suitable for this gathering.

With care,

The Relish Family.

WORKSHOP Application:

Please fill out and submit by the 28th of December, 2024 at the latest

Date

YYYY

Name

First Name

Last Name

The name you want to appear in the Relish Programme

We prefer your full name, as we often have double ups in first names

Phone Number:

Email:

Your website address (where applicable):

Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Title of your workshop?

70 characters or less, not including spaces

Format of your Workshop

For example pure presentation, or elements of interaction with the audience, etc?

Description of your workshop?

200 characters including spaces, or less. Please proof-read your description before submitting the form.

Your bio?

150 characters or less, including spaces. Please use she/he/they instead of I in the description, and please proof-read before submitting the form.

Is your workshop limited to a max number of people? or to certain people only?

For example 'women only'

Duration of your workshop

Workshops can run between 1 hour - 1.5 hours. Please let us know if you require longer or shorter amounts of time.

What preferred days and times?

Workshops will run on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, preferably between 10am and 6pm, though other times are available. If you are at the Festival only for specific days, please let us know here. Please put down your first, second and third preferred time slots, as we cannot guarantee your first preferred time.

What type of space do you require?

Options include the dedicated Expand! Workshop zone, the Serene Movement Zone, the Kids Zone, and the Revive Healing Space. The Expand, Serene and Revive spaces will have mic's and speakers set-up in them. The Kids Zone will have speaker and power, but no microphone. All marquees come with carpeted floor. You can also hold your workshop outdoors (Ie in shade, large open area). If you need more help with this let us know.

What equipment are you bringing? And what equipment would you like the attendees to bring

E.g. yoga mats, sound gear, props

What equipment could we help you with if possible?

Any other comments or questions?

Do you have a current membership to Relish?

Workshop slots will be first allocated to applicants who have a current membership. There are a handful of memberships held aside for applicants who are offering a valuable workshop but do not have a current membership.

Do you understand that it may take up to a week for one of our Zone Co-Ordinators to get in contact with you about your workshop after you have submitted this form?

Please type yes or no

TIPS on how to write a good workshop title / description and bio:

Workshop Title:

Use Active and Engaging Language: Make the title concise but dynamic, and use present tense to draw attention. Think about how you can communicate the core of your workshop in a way that excites potential attendees.

Example: "Unlock Your Creative Potential Through Mindful Movement" (instead of "A Workshop on Creative Movement Techniques")

Workshop Description:

Present Tense for Engagement: The present tense can make your description feel more immediate and inviting.

Example: "Explore the ancient practice of Qi Gong to bring balance and vitality to your everyday life. You tap into your body's energy, releasing stress and fostering inner peace." (instead of "Participants will learn...")

Inclusive and Accessible Language: Aim for clarity and accessibility, especially if your workshop covers complex or niche topics. Define unfamiliar terms and methods.

Example: "This workshop is open to anyone curious about breathwork. You’ll learn how simple techniques like Box Breathing can reduce stress and increase focus, no prior experience required."

Compelling Opening: Grab attention with a strong hook, either through a question or by highlighting the relevance of your workshop.

Example 1 (Question): "How can our dreams guide us in making real-life decisions?"
Example 2 (Relevance): "In today’s fast-paced world, we all need a moment to reconnect with ourselves. This workshop invites you to do just that through mindful meditation and community sharing."

Tailor the Workshop to Your Audience: Picture your ideal participant and write directly to them. Describe what they can expect from the workshop, outlining activities and exercises without making explicit promises about outcomes.

Example: "Through guided visualisations, group discussions, and hands-on exercises, you’ll deepen your self-awareness and leave feeling more connected to your inner guidance."

Keep It Concise: Follow the word limits provided by Relish, focusing on the essentials to maintain interest. A shorter, well-crafted description can often be more impactful than a long one.

Facilitator Bio:

Highlight Expertise in a Personal Way: Keep your bio short, but showcase your qualifications, passions, and why you’re excited to share your knowledge. Again, use the present tense for immediacy.

Example: "Jane Smith is a certified breathwork coach passionate about helping others find balance and well-being through simple, effective techniques. With years of experience, she brings warmth and insight into every session she facilitates."