Manu Haven

01/06/2026

29/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/192J1tKmuE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A special gift of a little elopement package at a function organised to raise money for Breast Cancer tomorrow.

Who will the lucky couple be?
And would you like to win this ?

27/05/2026

Love this place ! Music while I work - another coat of polyurethane on the bench top . And then I stepped out into the deck. The garden is welcoming the gentle rain so I don’t have to water after all today!

27/05/2026

15/05/2026

It’s Pink Shirt Day today. I don’t have any pink shirts, so I hope this pink flamingo will do!

I spent my entire childhood bullied. I didn’t fit the mould. I was bigger than other kids, I had thick glasses. The ‘token fat kid’ to be made fun of that graced most 80s and 90s television, movies and literature.

It didn’t help that I wasn’t able to keep up in sports, I dreaded phsycial education classes, those were the worst opportunities for bullying. There was a unique kind of shame in being ‘the last one picked’.

I can remember crying as my mom explained “they just tease you because they like you.” Ugh, yea right.

The weight went away, but the weight of being bullied never did. I can see how bullying trancended into my adult life in so many areas from confidence in myself to disinterest in sports, to body image and so many other areas.

It’s why I created the Brave Bodies programme, so future kids (and parents) can know that ‘all bodies aren’t the same’ and gain confidence in their uniqueness.

And why Pink shirt day is so important. An annual reminder to celebrate diversity, stand against bullying, and promote safe, inclusive environments for everyone. And that’s something I can get behind!

For organisations, and individuals I highly recommend checking out Clearhead’s upcoming webinar with Professor Michelle Tuckey: 8083576f-9b54-4d68-b455-1f82544de596@cbc0a61d-8e6c-44c9-8365-a281cd72d336" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8083576f-9b54-4d68-b455-1f82544de596@cbc0a61d-8e6c-44c9-8365-a281cd72d336

For individuals who want to make a difference in their lives and those of the children within them, check out Brave Bodies: https://michelleyandle.com/course/brave-bodies

Learn more about Pink Shirt Day: https://pinkshirtday.org.nz/

15/05/2026

Wowee - look what pulled up into my drive this arvo!
A 1930 Ford Model A
Delivery Hot Rod!

…… and it’s for sale ! Ummmm no Beverley 😩. I married the couple, admired the car and waved Goodbye……. It doesn’t have a GPS and that’d be a problem for me! 😂

15/05/2026

Gentle jazz playing as I await the first couple to arrive at Manu Haven

15/05/2026

Congratulations to Rich and Carrie who were married in an intimate little ceremony at Manu Haven this morning. The sun was shining and the birds were singing - no fuss. ‘Twas just perfect for them. ❤️

11/05/2026

So pleased with the latest project in The Gatherage, a space where guests may help themselves to a coffee, a herb tea or a cup of soup even, before they settle into a workshop or a PowerPoint presentation

Thanks to Tim Youngman for his construction and ideas! 👍