FAQs

After 10 years of Summerfest in Wellington, we’re moving to Auckland! Summerfest has been a significant heartbeat for the Enspiral network and others called by its mission over the years.

Enspiral's been pursuing “more people working on stuff that matters” through its network of mutual support since 2011. That year, a freelancers’ cooperative and a group of community activists came together to launch some of Enspiral’s initial projects (e.g., LifeHack, Loomio, Chalkle, Cobudget) inspired by social innovation, entrepreneurship, and climate action gatherings, as well as exchanges abroad (e.g., Orientation Aotearoa, Generation Zero).

In this way, Enspiral has become a transformational community of practice for those seeking to do more social and ecological good through their livelihoods. We’ve even published a book, Better Work Together! 

With enthusiasm we welcome new and prior attendees to co-create a Summerfest 2025 where we can contemplate, heal, create, innovate… and kick back or unwind!

The Enspiral Summer retreat is for the wider Enspiral network, and where possible we extend the invitation to those who wish to contribute and co-create.

For people in Enspiral:

Want to invite someone new? For now, please limit these invites to no more than one or two. Prioritise diversity, for those whom it feels authentic to invite. This is to help keep a good ratio of people with and without Enspiral context. We'll give notice when Enspiral people can extend even more invites beyond close-knit friends and partners or whānau – to be clear, extended family & whānau are very welcome to be invited at any time.

You are welcome to invite others to attend the retreat. It’s always been a great way to introduce new people who want to get involved or finally show your partner what the heck it’s all about. We only ask that those invited have a sincere interest – we hope you’ll support us in co-creating an event that is a vibrant expression of a generous culture of mutual care, aid and freedom.

If you are bringing someone completely fresh, please be prepared to be their guide and point of contact. While we’re not exactly discouraging social media posts, we heartily encourage direct and personal invitations (they’re so much nicer!)

We are offering two primary entry points to the retreat. The first is recommended, the second is when the ‘programming’ officially starts:

• 3 nights experience > 5pm, Thursday, 6 March: All participants are strongly encouraged to join us from the very beginning; there will be a lightly-structured offering to support each and all to ‘arrive well’ and begin to connect Please arrive before dinner time, around 6pm, so we can welcome you well.
  
• 2 nights experience > 9am, Friday, 7 March: The official programme will commence sharply at 10am with a the welcoming ceremony.
  
• Closing > 11am, Sunday the 9th March: Note there will be a light snack before we leave by 12pm.

You are invited to join us for the whole journey, through Sunday, but we are making possible arrivals on Friday – please join for the check in at 9am (plan to arrive fifteen minutes beforehand).

As organisers, we have made a decision that is consistent with the previous year not to offer day-tickets.

In our experience of trying to make this work over the years, the day trip attendance has been quite disruptive to the overall experience and the intimate container we are trying to create with Summerfest - both for attendees (not getting the full experience they wanted/expected) and for us as organisers (logistical stress on food prep, on whanau group orientation and overall flow).

We hope you can understand that our decision has come from a place of experience -- however if you'd like to chat further about this or explore other options for your participation, please reach out!

This is a year of building and investment for Enspiral gatherings and tickets are a bit higher than 2024 because we are moving to an upgraded location in Auckland at Camp Motu Moana. Historically, our fests have run lean in order to keep attendance costs as low as possible. Since 2020, costs for venues and food have risen nearly 30%, so we must also raise prices to reflect the true cost of running a gathering like Summerfest.

We're balancing financial sustainability with our long-standing ethos of accessibility. We've carefully structured the pricing to ensure committed community members can still participate. Payment plans are also available via Stripe.

Why is there different ticket pricing for International & NZ/Local Residents?

We heard that for New Zealanders access to the fund to attend the event is generally less, so have reflected this accordingly. We hope this event and future Fests build the foundations for more financial abundance everywhere so if you have the funds to pay the full ticket price, and are in New Zealand please do, and pay it forward to support the sustainability of the event.

If you’re travelling to Auckland for the fest from overseas or from another city/town in NZ, consider joining us for pizza and drinks on Wednesday 5th March, the evening before Summerfest!

This is optional as a smaller gathering and soft landing into the Festival experience. Just bring $20 for pizza and drinks.

Location and exact timing TBC!

The default accommodation on-site will be in comfortable, rustic 4-bed bunk rooms. There’s plentiful access to showers and there are kitchenettes and lounges dispersed throughout the facilities and lodges. You will need to bring towels, a cover sheet, pillowcase and either blankets or sleeping bag.

You can bring your own tent and bedding, if that's your preferred way. It won't change the ticket price.

Contact summerfest@enspiral.com if you have any preferences about who you bunk with, or with any needs beyond the default. 

• Please bring your own bedding OR bedding (sheets, blanket, pillowcase, towel) can be provided for a cost of $35 at registration only.
  
• A diary or notebook
  
• Warm clothes for the evening, rain jacket and boots
• NZ weather can be quite unpredictable, cold and wet any time of the year
• Sunblock and a sun hat
• NZ sun is stronger than other places; we expect a good amount
• Walking shoes, or anything you might want to enjoy the surroundings
  
• We'll provide morning and afternoon tea along with meals, but naturally you are welcome to bring your favourite snacks.
  
• Fun stuff to share like musical instruments and games.
  
• Ear plugs (rooms are shared amongst 4 or 5 beds, and we will look for a couple of volunteers to sleep in rooms with families)

BONUS

• Driving from home? Pillows and comfy things for the marquee could help it be lush!
  
• Came last time? If you have your child-friendly villager lanyard, that'd be ace!
  
• Came last time? If you have a Renovating Membership book, some might like to peek!

The ticket price includes delicious and nutritious meals from start to finish (lunch on Sunday). We will use seasonal local and organic ingredients as much as possible, plus love and care! The homemade bread is a treat!

Most dietary needs can be accommodated. Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, specific allergies, etc.

Please specify in detail on the registration form.

See the frontpage festival.enspiral.com for the map and address below:

Camp Motu Moana,

90-140-142 Connaught Street,

Blockhouse Bay, Auckland,

New Zealand

Transport to the event is self-organised. We will have a communication platform for event attendees with which to organise carpooling.

Wi-fi is not available or recommended, except in critical need.

Cell reception is possible, though potentially spotty or difficult. The venue says:

Data - Vodafone has the best coverage over the whole camp; Spark can be fussy depending which way the wind is blowing and where you are; 2 Degrees seems to be OK most of the time.

Enspiral’s Gatherings Working Group of Aotearoa NZ has brought together an amazing core crew for this 2025: Doris Zuur, Meg Buzzi, Natalie Sisson, Jack Tolley & Stephanie Arrowsmith, supported by a wider crew of volunteers across Asia-Pacific making this Summerfest happen! We’re proud to present the invite you saw on the frontpage!