Pause - held for women by women
What's on offer
Pause, an event held for women by women, on Sunday, 24 May 2026 from 9.30am to 2.30pm, in leafy Titirangi.
Offering relaxed and fun workshops in Wellbeing, Nature Connection and Creativity, we're shining a light on many talented women in our West Auckland community.
Between workshops on the day, pick up a bargain at the pre-loved women's clothing market, nourish yourself with Autumnal treats at the café, and you might be the winner of some amazing prizes in our women-centred raffle. Follow on Instagram to see more of what's on offer on the day, and preview the amazing raffle prizes donated by our generous sponsors.
This event will be a warm, welcoming experience to bring nourishment to women’s busy lives. Take a pause from everyday life and leave feeling nurtured from this peaceful gathering.
Workshops
- 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Drawing with pastels in nature
A gentle pastel-drawing session where women are invited to slow down and observe a living plant with quiet attention, and let those impressions unfold softly on the page. We’re honoured to have contemporary artist Dianna join us to create a nurturing space to reconnect with creativity through nature and quiet presence. No experience necessary.
- 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Natural care for your fruit trees
Join Désirée to learn ancient and loving treatments for fruit trees in the orchard, a beautiful winter job in the garden. You’ll discover how to make a special paste based on biodynamic gardening principles which can be applied to the trunks of fruit trees to provide nourishment through the winter months and help to ensure a bumper crop come fruiting time! This is a hands-on workshop in which you will practise the art of tree pasting on site and take away a recipe to replicate at home. We recommend suitable clothing and footwear for gardening.
- 9:30 am - 10:15 am
Yin yoga and breathwork
SOLD OUT Be transported into a state of bliss with facilitators Carol and Jay. A practice that will open the body and bring relaxation and deeper self-awareness to restore balance. We're lucky to have this highly experienced duo working their magic and drawing on their knowledge of the female body. Bring your yoga mat and leave feeling utterly relaxed. Beginners welcome.
Workshop facilitators
Aniezska Banks
Anieszka is a multi-talented artist and maker working across many mediums including wax, acrylics, paper cutting, collage, photography and drawing. As mum to 6-year-old twins, Aniezska now focuses on creating high-quality, whimsical hand-made items through her West Auckland-based business, Poppy and Sage.
Carol Jardine
Carol has trained in Yin Therapy and draws deeply from Traditional Chinese Medicine and her own rich meditation practice. Carol lovingly guides students into full body awareness, helping to open the body along the meridian lines, and inviting a harmonious, balanced flow of Chi, to support physical ease and energetic wellbeing.
Désirée Haecki
Désirée has a background in environmental sciences and building biology. Together with her husband Stephen, Désirée runs a natural plastering business. They have two children and many chickens. Désirée works part time at Ngahere, a bush kindergarten which encourages children to be hands-on in nature.
Dianna Brinsden
Dianna is drawn to harnessing health and spiritual awakening through artistic experiences. She has worked as an artist in Europe and studied at the Beppe Assenza Malschule in Basel, Switzerland before returning home to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2012. Alongside her art practice, Dianna teaches handwork skills to tamariki.
Emma Hinton
Emma is a writer, artist and creative facilitator, and the founder of The Light Library, through which she creates collaborative projects that centre around creativity and wellbeing. She has authored and published two poetic picture books co-created with children through art and story.
Emma Greenslade
Dedicated gardener, forager and fermenter, Emma lives in West Auckland where she frequently hosts a community giving table through which locals can share with others what they have in abundance. Strongly community-minded, Emma also teaches gardening skills to tamariki, sharing her knowledge of growing edible plants with the next generations.
Jimena Garcia Escudero
Jimena (Jay) loves guiding women to connect with their inner wisdom through movement, breathwork and EFT, creating space to release what no longer serves, restore balance, and open up to deeper self-awareness.
Lucy McNamara
Experienced maker Lucy has been crocheting for over 11 years and what started as a creative hobby, has become a much-loved way to unwind, express creativity, and enjoy the wellbeing benefits that come from making something with your hands. She enjoys helping others discover how relaxing and rewarding crochet can be.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity