Shepherdess Muster: A time to bliss out

The Motu Community House and the small village of Motu will play host to The Shepherdess Muster in February. Photo by Claire Mossong

Motu is getting ready to host The Shepherdess Muster in February, a first-of-its-kind festival where women can leave their cares behind and indulge in a long weekend of creative endeavours, entertainment, workshops and more.

The immersive festival (February 16 -18) features a full programme of creatives, speakers and artists from around Aotearoa as they descend on the tiny village — an hour from Gisborne — for a weekend that will make you laugh until you cry, and where you can dance the night away.

Thanks to support from Manatu Wahine Ministry for Women, Shepherdess magazine has six tickets for The Shepherdess Muster to give away to locals who really deserve it.

Each ticket is valued at $549 and includes catered food all weekend, access to guest speakers, over 25 workshops, the artsbreak area, and a refreshment and bite to eat on arrival.

It also includes tented accommodation for two nights — twin-share accommodation with stretcher, mattress and bedding.

The ticket “scholarships” are open to all women who live in the Gisborne, Wairoa and Opotiki districts living rurally or in town.

To enter or nominate someone you think is well deserving visit shepherdessmuster.co.nz/ticket-scholarships and fill in the entry/nomination form.

The Shepherdess Muster was originally scheduled for February 2023 but had to be postponed due to Cyclone Gabrielle hitting the region the same week.

The Tairawhiti community has been extremely supportive of The Muster coming back to Motu, seeing the event as a way to celebrate the community and support the region economically after such a tumultuous period.

The long weekend is an opportunity for women to engage in experiences daily life doesn’t always leave much time for, from arts to entrepreneurship, and provides a chance for open and frank discussions around such subjects as menopause, sex and relationships.

Festival director Kristy McGregor says she is heartened by the support The Muster has received from the community.

“We consulted with the Motu community, farmers across the region, the council and the Matawai Marae, to ensure we were doing the right thing by bringing the event back to Motu after an extremely tough time. We were very conscious of not putting extra strain on the area, but the community have been unified in their encouragement and support of hosting The Muster in Tairawhiti.”

The three-day event is the perfect getaway for a weekend with friends. The menu is catered by Flying Trestles, known for their film-set catering.

All meals are included in the ticket price  and event-goers can spend the weekend doing whatever takes their fancy, from creating flower crowns to learning the art of stand-up comedy.

“Where possible, the event uses local businesses to bring The Muster to life, with event operations supporting local businesses. As well, The Muster gives locals the opportunity to experience acts from around New Zealand close to home — opportunities they wouldn’t usually get — with a relaxed weekend away”, says Kristy.

A limited number of 100 tickets are available now to purchase.

Locals living in the Gisborne, Wairoa and Opotiki Districts receive a special discounted price of $349. General attendee ticket prices start at $449.

The programme and tickets are available now at www.shepherdessmuster.co.nz.

- The Shepherdess Muster is shaping up to be a smorgasbord of creative opportunities for local women from floristry workshops offered by Zoe Field and Rhonda Haag to celebrated mural artist Kelly Spencer creating a joyful mural over the weekend. For the lowdown on some of the diverse women bringing their talents and expertise to the Muster programme