Wellness travel is no longer focused predominately on women, with one of Bali’s newest retreats reflecting this shift. New Zealanders Janine and Trent Cottle opened
, Bali after guests at Janine’s women-only retreat, Escape Haven, repeatedly asked if their partners could come too. The name Mana comes from te ao Māori and reflects Trent’s heritage. Now, more than half the guests at Mana are men, and some have already rebooked for next year.
Every stay begins with a six-night, all-inclusive Foundation Reset built around sleep, circadian rhythm and nervous system regulation. Guests then add one of seven Pathways, including a Men’s Mental Fitness programme shaped by Trent. Facilities include an onyx cold plunge, an infrared sauna and IV infusions, and a team of more than 40 looks after no more than 14 guests. manasanctuary.com
Rest, reset and recover in the heart of Canggu. Photo / Beyond That Wall
Kahukiwa returns to Sydney
Robyn Kahukiwa’s work has come full circle. The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia has opened My Ancestors Are Always with Me in Sydney, the city where the acclaimed Māori painter was born in 1938. It’s the late artist’s first major solo exhibition in Australia, running until February 7, 2027.
The exhibition is a partnership between the MCA and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. Kahukiwa’s paintings consider Māori life, culture and politics, with a focus on the status of Māori women and the ongoing impacts of colonisation. They also speak to Indigenous experiences around the world, including the loss of land and language, migration and urbanisation. mca.com.au/exhibitions/robyn-kahukiwa
Robyn Kahukiwa’s bold canvases take over Sydney’s MCA.
Nanuku for the win
Hundreds of thousands of travellers have voted, and a Fijian resort ranks among the region’s best. Nanuku Resort Fiji placed No. 12 across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards: Top 20 Resorts in Australia and the South Pacific, and No. 5 among Fijian destinations. The resort is known for its cultural experiences and its connection to Fiji’s natural landscape. nanukuresort.com
Nanuku Resort Fiji earns its place among the South Pacific’s best. Photo / Nanuku Resort Fiji
Get fit in Ōhakune
Ōhakune gives everyone a good reason to get out of bed on a Saturday. Every week at 8am from now until January 1, 2027, Mangawhero River Walk parkrun sends walkers, joggers and runners on a free 5km course through the heart of Ruapehu. Volunteers run the whole event. Entry is free, but you need to register with parkrun and bring a scannable copy of your barcode.
The out-and-back course starts at the corner of Mangawhero Terrace and Ayr Street. It follows the Mangawhero River over two bridges, including a swing bridge, to the Junction end of town. Expect birdsong and the sound of the river on a trail of crushed stone and wood chip, which can get muddy after rain. parkrun.co.nz/mangawheroriverwalkohakune
Ōhakune’s riverside trail is inviting residents for an easy Saturday start. Photo / 123rf