About Lifespan Rites

Lifespan Rites was created to bring important Rites of Passage work, Initiations and Ceremonies designed to honour and support people of all ages  as they encounter significant life transitions such as puberty, adulthood, grandparenthood, elderhood and death to lower North Island communities from Taranaki, through to Manawatū and Ōtaki regions.

Through our offerings, we aim to;

  • Build the wellbeing and confidence of young people.

  • Support individuals with physical, emotional and spiritual changes that occur during the times of change in our lives.

  • Provide skills and experiences for future life changes and challenges.

  • Acknowledge and celebrate significant life transitions.

Why are Rites of Passage important?

The lived experiences of many people is that they were "initiated" through puberty with very little practical advice and no acknowledgement of the importance of changes to tinana/physical health, hinengaro/mental health, wairua/spiritual health and whānau/family and community health. There is a need to provide healthy guidance, skills and acknowledgement for young people at this time while also connecting their whānau. 

As adults we also need ongoing support and care regarding our changing roles in our whānau and communities. Rites of passage allow us to acknowledge and mark the transition points in our lives in a meaningful way, and to honour them in a connected and celebratory manner.

We believe that honouring important transitions through-out life supports individuals and our community to thrive,  to be connected, and to be resilient.

Kaupapa | Purpose

  • To offer Rites of Passage, Initiations and Ceremonies which are designed to honour and support people of all ages as they encounter significant life transitions such as puberty, adulthood, grandparenthood, elderhood and death. 

  • To collaborate with other people and organisations in order to best meet the needs of our community.

Core Values

  • We value:

    • the positive, joyful marking of significant life stages. 

    • honouring others by bringing the community together. 

    • being present, supporting others as they thank one life stage and welcome in the next.

  • We value:

    • Connecting with others, nature, a meaning, a purpose.

    • Creating spaces for everyone to thrive and grow.

    • The opportunity to touch our ‘longing to be’, to gain insight into our individual talents and saying out loud how we can contribute to our community – the village – the world.

  • We value:

    • Creating experiences that allow everyone to safely explore the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual challenges and opportunities they encounter.

  • We value:

    • Being in service to others.

    • Building an inclusive, collaborative village, of all generations and all expressions of identity.

    • Developing authentic, healthy, whole and connected people.

Interested in working with us or supporting our work?

Fill out a form below and one of our wonderful team will get back to you. We look forward to hearing from you, ngā mihi.