We have so much to update you on what’s been happening in RXAA and with the Project and Centre development at Onekakā.

MESSAGE FROM THE RXAA BOARD CHAIR

As we mark Matariki, the Māori New Year, we reflect on what has been, honour those who have contributed, and look ahead to what’s next. It feels especially fitting as RXAA and the Ren Xue Centre project have undergone so much change.

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who has supported the work of RXAA and continues to support the work we are doing. We’re grateful to Helen Alice, who guided RXAA through the governance and staffing changes needed to support the Centre project and our regional teachers. The manager role has now been replaced by an Executive Director role (see below for a message from our new ED, Anaru Fraser)..

We are grateful to the RXAA Board—Tim Stevenson, Mary Bordi and Fraser Lau—for their steady support. The Board will focus on long-term planning, strengthening support for teachers in the region, and providing oversight of the Centre project in Onekaka, working alongside RXI and the Transition Council.

A special thanks to Sharon Munro, our former Villa Manager, who continues to warmly support post-retreat visitors to the Bay, and to Tim Langley, for his generous contribution as Villa Manager and valued community member.

We’re also deeply grateful to Claire Stewart, our RXAA Administrator and temporary coordinator, who has been instrumental in supporting the transition, keeping things moving, and bringing her many talents and skills to RXAA.

We’re pleased to announce that Matthew McClymont has been made permanent in the role of Project Manager. We have been so impressed with his pragmatic and committed passion for the project, and we can’t wait to see what he brings to the next phase of the development.

Finally, Elliot Cleland has been employed as the Farm Assistant, and we couldn’t be happier to have him joining the team. His knowledge and passion for the Ren Xue Farm are already a wonderful asset, and we’re very excited to see all that he brings to the role.

The Year of the Fire Horse is certainly living up to its name, with challenges being felt around the world. I’m inspired by those around me who embody Zi Du Du Ren in their daily lives. With much ahead of us, we can meet it together—supporting and uplifting one another as we work towards a positive future.

With love and best wishes,
Cat

A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - ANARU FRASER

He uri ahau nō ngā Paepae maunga o Hauraki whānui, e mihi kau atu ki a koutou!

Greetings to you all! I come from the Hauraki region of the North Island. I’m a values-led leader with over 25 years’ experience supporting and advocating for Indigenous Peoples and the community sector across Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. I’m grounded in whanaungatanga (relationships), service, integrity, and thoughtful leadership to create sustainable change. I have a genuine appreciation for our Ren Xue emphasis on personal growth, balance, and the principle of Zi Du, Du Ren.

I enjoy bringing together governance, organisational development, and cultural capability to help organisations grow in ways that honour people, places, and purpose. I’m committed to leadership that uplifts people, strengthens organisations, and supports long-term wellbeing, stewardship, and collectivity.

Nā reira, tēnei te mihi ki a koutou katoa e ngākau nui ki te kaupapa nei. Kia anga whakamua, kia aro hī, kia aro hā!

With sincerest gratitude to all who are interested in uplifting ourselves and others, let’s move forward with courage, purpose, responsibility, and with people at the heart of our journey!

WELCOMING MATTHEW TO A PERMANANT ROLE

We are delighted to announce that Matthew McClymont has been appointed permanently to the role of Project Manager. Matthew is overseeing both the development of the Centre as well as contributing to the ongoing activities and development of the Onekakā site as a whole.

Matthew’s next major piece of work is to develop a business plan that will help ensure the Centre is sustainable and able to operate successfully well into the future. We’re excited to have Matthew continuing to lead this important work and look forward to seeing the next stage of the Project unfold.

COMING TOGETHER IN GOLDEN BAY

In early August, the RXAA team, with some RXI supporters, came together in Golden Bay for a few special days of connecting, sharing and getting to know one another — with some meeting in person for the very first time.

We were also fortunate to meet many wonderful local teachers and practitioners and learn more about the rich community around Golden Bay. Staying together at the Villa gave us plenty of time to connect beyond our usual roles, while planting harakeke (flax) on the Farm gave us a chance to get our hands in the soil and contribute together.

It was a lovely opportunity to better understand each person’s role and responsibilities, and to see how our different skills and contributions come together in support of our shared goals. We returned feeling more connected, inspired and grateful for the wonderful community we are part of.

PROGRESS AT THE CENTRE SITE

Stage 1 of the road to the Centre site is nearing completion, marking another exciting step forward for the Project. The new access will provide safe and reliable entry to the site in all but the worst of weather conditions and makes it easier for the work ahead to unfold. It’s wonderful to see this important piece of infrastructure taking shape and bringing the vision for the Centre another step closer.

The second of the three design phases has now been completed. While the overall design of the Centre has remained largely unchanged, this phase has taken the design to a much greater level of detail, particularly in the building structure and essential services. This represents a significant step forward in our understanding of how the Centre will actually be built and function. We are very grateful to our Design Team for the considerable work and expertise they have brought to this stage.

NEXT STEPS FOR THE CENTRE DEVELOPMENT

Following a significant period of progress on the Centre project, we are now entering a more deliberate phase of planning and reflection.

One of the important insights to emerge through the design work so far is just how unique the Centre site is. Set within a remote, largely undeveloped natural environment, the site has almost none of the services and infrastructure that are normally taken for granted in a conventional development. Water supply and treatment, power, waste systems, access and other essential services all need to be considered as an integral part of the design.

Rather than simply seeking to overcome these constraints, the design team is exploring how they might become opportunities: to create a resilient, largely self-sufficient place that is deeply responsive to its environment.

This understanding is now shaping how we approach the next stage of the project. We have reached a point where designing the buildings alone is not enough. We need to better understand how the Centre will actually work as a living place within this unique setting.

How will people arrive, live, work and gather? How will the Centre, Farm, Villa and wider landscape support one another? How will the site operate sustainably and remain resilient over time? And, importantly, what is required to create a genuinely positive experience for both guests and staff?

Before moving further into infrastructure design, we now need to step back and develop a shared understanding of the activities and experiences the Centre is intended to support, and how it can function effectively year round. This will help ensure that the infrastructure, buildings and landscape are ultimately designed around the way the place needs to live and operate, rather than the other way around. It will also help to guide our fundraising approach with more clarity. 

We are also placing greater emphasis on how we communicate the project, both with our immediate neighbours and with the wider global community. As the project develops, we want to share more of the journey, the thinking, the challenges and the emerging vision.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT

Currently, approximately $6 million has been raised through generous donations, including the support of one founding partner who has committed $500,000 over three years. This contribution has been integral to the work completed so far and has enabled important milestones to be achieved.

We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support that has brought the project to this point. As work continues, further donations and partnerships will help carry this vision forward and enable the next stages to unfold. Every contribution, large or small, plays a meaningful part in helping create a centre that can serve generations to come.

If you feel called to contribute, please contact: Cat catherine.alker@renxueaustralasia.org to learn more.

REN XUE FARM UPDATE

The Ren Xue Farm is in great hands, with Jeremy Ricketts, Farm Manager, and Elliot Cleland, Farm Assistant, supported by the Ren Xue Farm Management Group, formed under the guidance of Rainer Hofmann, building on the input of the previous farm group team - Kath Flight, James Alker, John Bentham and Riley O’Neill.

There is plenty happening on the farm. The greenhouse will be used to grow tamarillos, with the young plants currently growing well and not yet ready to be transplanted.

The team is also working hard to produce our own growing mediums and fertiliser for all our new trees. This is an important step towards building the farm’s self-sufficiency and supporting the healthy growth of future plantings.

New machinery has also been purchased, helping to strengthen the farm’s capacity and efficiency. Looking ahead, firewood will become another income stream for the farm, making use of available resources while contributing to the farm’s long-term sustainability.

If you have any questions about the farm or would like to know more about what is happening, you can contact Jeremy at farm@renxueaustralasia.org.

VILLA MANAGEMENT UPDATE

The Villa is being trialled under a new management model for the next 12 months, with the aim of covering its operating costs while RXAA determines its longer-term role within the wider site.

Without an onsite live-in manager, each booking now incurs additional cleaning, management and operating costs. Outsourcing the Villa management provides a more sustainable and practical way to manage these costs, while also reducing the administrative and operational burden on RXAA.

The Villa is being managed on a trial basis by Golden Bay Holiday Homes. Ren Xue guests will always be given priority, so if you’re interested in staying at the Villa, please check availability here. Ren Xue teachers can use the discount code RXTEACH (all caps, one word) to receive 20% off.

The Villa is available to rent as a whole house rather than on a room-by-room basis. This provides a wonderful opportunity for Ren Xue groups, retreats, whānau (family) and friends to enjoy the Villa together and make the most of this special space.

The only planned exception to this is before and after the November retreat. During this time the Villa will still be available for hire by the room. Please contact Sharon Munroe on sharon.munro@renxueaustralasia.org for more information and to enquire about availability.

If you have any questions or would like further information about the Villa, please email us at villa@renxueaustralasia.org.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Villa!

MORE INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS?

Please send any questions, queries or feedback to info@renxueaustralasia.org