The Nature of Art:

A Day of Creativity, Nature & Connection

A Mini Creative Retreat in Nature

Pause. Breathe. Create. Connect.

Join two local Tauranga artists, Ninette Kruger of Encounter Creativity and Anastasia Rickard of Natura Aura, for a special mini creative retreat at the beautiful Te Puna Quarry Park.

Take a few hours away from the usual rush and immerse yourself in nature, creativity and connection.

🌸 Nature-Inspired Collage with Ninette

Explore the beauty of nature through collage, using flowers, leaves, natural textures, colour and found elements to create your own unique artwork.

Ninette will guide you through simple, playful techniques to help you experiment with composition, colour and texture.

You’ll be encouraged to follow your curiosity and see what unfolds — no perfection required!

Harakeke Earring Creation with Anastasia

Discover the art of working with harakeke with local artist Anastasia Rickard.

Anastasia will share the tikanga around rāranga and demonstrate the creation of a Hukahuka strands, including leaf preparation, marking, fibre extraction and the miro technique.

You’ll then learn earring-making techniques and create your own unique pair of harakeke earrings to take home.

Earrings will vary depending on the natural materials and feathers available on the day.

Your Mini Creative Day-Retreat Includes:

✨ Two hands-on creative experiences (Collage with Ninette & Earrings with Anastasia)
🌿 Time immersed in the beautiful Te Puna Quarry Park
🎨 All tools and materials required for both crafts
☕ Tea & coffee
🤝 Time to connect with other creative people
💚 A relaxed, playful space to slow down and enjoy yourself
🎁 Your own handmade creations to take home

📍 Te Puna Quarry Park, Tauranga

Wednesday 30 September
🕙 10am–2pm
Cost: $160 per person

Participants will swap between the two creative experiences throughout the morning, with time to pause and enjoy the surroundings.

Please bring your own morning tea and lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Come as you are.

Slow down. Get creative. Connect with nature. And leave with something beautiful you created yourself.

MEET YOUR TUTORS:

Anastasia Rickard

Artist, Raranga Practitioner & Founder of Natura Aura

Anastasia is a Tauranga-based artist and creative practitioner with a passion for working with harakeke and natural materials.

Through her work with Natura Aura, she shares the beauty and traditions of rāranga, incorporating tikanga and hands-on learning into her creative experiences.

Anastasia loves creating opportunities for people to connect with nature, learn new skills and create something meaningful with their hands.

Ninette Kruger

Ninette is a Tauranga-based artist, transformation coach and founder of Encounter Creativity.

With more than 25 years as a professional artist and decades of experience teaching and facilitating creativity, she loves helping people slow down, get curious and discover what’s possible through creative experiences.

Her work brings together creativity, nature and connection in playful, practical ways.