Serenity in sand

From the depths of personal turmoil to creating a career through artistic expression, Kenrick Smith’s journey is a testament to the healing powers of nature and mindfulness. UNO talks to him about discovering sand art, working for Ed Sheeran and his passion for improving our country’s sobering statistics on mental health. 

WORDS Karen Clarkson  |  PHOTOS Quinn O’Connell

On a quiet Wednesday morning at home in Pāpāmoa, mental health coach and father of two, Kenrick Smith, tunes in to the soothing sound of the ocean and focuses on his breath during his morning meditation. A newfound daily ritual he has come to rely on. But life hasn’t always been this zen. 

In 2020, while living on a lifestyle property in the Kaimai Ranges with his artist-wife Jasmine and new baby, Kenrick’s world was cut off overnight
due to a global pandemic. His successful wedding photography business ground to a halt due to lockdowns and he felt isolated, anxious and navigating personal turmoil. “I had a recent back injury, was recently diagnosed with ADHD and my marriage was struggling – I was in a bad place,” he reflects candidly. “Looking back now, I was on the edge of a major depressive episode.”

On a family trip to the beach during lockdown, he felt inspired by the wide open spaces of his Hawkes Bay rural childhood, found a stick and began drawing. A basic circular design with a piece of driftwood, soon evolved into regular trips to the beach to create large-scale mandalas, using a variety of tools to reflect textures, patterns and shapes in nature. “Sand art became my sanctuary," he shares. “It was where I found peace.”

Over the next year, while attending marriage counselling and researching his own neurodiversity, Kenrick also discovered the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. He started sitting on the sand for five minutes, focussing on the sound of the waves, the feel of the sunshine, listening to the birds, and the wind on his face. “Then I would head to the sand and design. The difference was amazing.”

What started as personal catharsis soon blossomed into a business with a goal to “help others feel this way.” From needing to take annual leave to run his first workshops, Rake Healing now hosts regular corporate groups, schools and private classes – helping hundreds of adults and children to experience the benefits of time reconnecting with nature, exploring your creativity and using sand as your canvas.

He says the change in clear shift in wellbeing from the beginning of a two-hour workshop to the end, still surprises him. “From CEO’s to five-year-olds, getting out in nature and creating something artistic has a profound positive effect for our brains and bodies. For some people meditation and mindfulness can be a scary, unknown thing. In reality, it is about being aware of your surroundings; it’s about putting down your phone and watching your kids at the playground; going for a walk at the beach and listening to the sounds around you, or doing something creative to allow you to focus on the present.”

A phone call from a Warner Music spokesperson last year, culminated in Kenrick’s first international commission – a large sand-art design of a Sycamore tree, designed on the Mount main beach near Moturiki Island. Kenrick was chosen alongside eight other international sand artists to create a design to represent a song on Ed Sheeran’s album Subtract. “Sycamore was chosen for New Zealand; it is a sombre track with heartfelt lyrics of struggle and loss so I felt like it was the perfect collaboration,” explains Kenrick.

Through this and other collaborations with national and international brands and causes, Rake Healing has enabled more conversations around mental health and fuelled a desire for Kenrick to support more New Zealanders navigating mental health challenges. 

Yarns With Rick, is his latest venture into mental health coaching and support, where Kenrick channels his experiences into guiding others through life’s tumultuous seas. “Like many Kiwis, depression and anxiety wasn’t discussed in my family, school or community growing up. When you’re in a dark place, it’s critical to let others know what you are going through, and connect with others – both friends and professionals who have been through what you are.”

“I see Yarns With Rick as a compass,” he explains, “to help individuals navigate their inner landscapes and find their true north.” Through retreats, workshops, and online resources, he aims to dismantle stigmas around mental health and empower individuals and communities with practical tools for resilience and self-compassion.

With a passion to help neurodiverse youth and adults thrive in life and be all they can be, Kenrick runs monthly meet-ups for men, regular adventures in nature for guys and girls and is about to launch a series of online courses. 

“We need to normalise conversations about mental health,” he urges, “and provide practical tools for facing painful experiences. Nature provides a wonderful environment to allow people to discover a pathway back to themselves. For me, it was everything I needed when I needed it. 

From a young Dad, struggling with his own mental health, to getting outside and soaking up the healing power of nature, Kenrick’s goal is to empower more New Zealanders to access the tools they need to harness mindfulness, resilience and self-compassion, so we can all thrive as people, parents and communities. 

Kenrick’s top tips for mental health: 

Get into nature 

Nature is so calming for the body and mind. Put your phone away and walk to the beach, go to a park or walk around the block. Moving your body increases blood flow and reduces stress, so often challenges can be easier to deal with after a good walk. 

Acknowledge your emotions 

Often we are trying to avoid the negative emotions in our body. If you can actually acknowledge what you are feeling, to yourself outloud, in a journal or to a friend – often clarity, peace and perspective follows.

Turn the problem around 

Now you’ve acknowledged what’s going on, turn it around. Taking a previously negative emotion or experience and turning it around can help hugely. If you’re feeling worried, what could be the opposite of those feelings? Concerned can also feel calm, anxious might feel confident and scared could feel secure. 

Mindful about money

Fontein Coaching’s Cassandra Hogan teaches us to navigate mental wellbeing amid the cost-of-living crisis.

In the current landscape of economic uncertainty and the relentless rise in the cost of living, financial stress has become an unwelcome companion for many New Zealanders. It's essential to acknowledge that if you find yourself grappling with financial worries, you’re not alone.

The burden of money-related stress is pervasive, triggering emotions such as embarrassment, shame, anger and frustration.

This financial insecurity isn't confined to impacting our wallets alone; it seeps into our physical and mental wellbeing, disrupting essential aspects of our lives. Sleep patterns are interrupted, exercise routines are abandoned, and eating habits are compromised. The toll on mental health is profound, making it crucial to address these challenges with empathy and resilience.

To navigate through this difficult terrain, it's vital to recognise that there are resources available to support you.

One of the first steps towards managing financial stress is to open up to someone you trust, whether it's a friend, partner or a financial advisor. Sharing your concerns can alleviate the weight on your shoulders and provide a fresh perspective on potential solutions.

Taking control of your finances, even in the face of economic uncertainty, can be empowering. Implementing a household budget or a financial plan allows you to regain a sense of control.

If this seems overwhelming, online tools like sorted.org.nz/budgeting-tool can guide you step by step, helping you save as you go. Seeking professional advice from a financial advisor or debt consolidator can provide tailored solutions to your specific situation.

Simplifying and decluttering your life is another powerful strategy. Being mindful of where your money goes and making conscious choices can contribute to a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. Additionally, exploring opportunities to sell unused items online not only helps you declutter but also provides an extra source of income. You may also consider exploring additional income streams through freelance work or leveraging your skills, such as photography, to supplement your earnings.

Community support is invaluable during challenging times. Connect with your local community to share resources, organise swaps of services for goods, or coordinate work and school commutes to reduce travel costs.

Above all, prioritise your mental health. Physical activity is a potent antidote to stress. In the scenic beauty of New Zealand, taking a walk or engaging in outdoor activities can be a quick pick-me-up and refreshing break.

If you're struggling, consult with your doctor or GP for advice, or call 1737 anytime to connect with a trained counsellor. Remember, in the face of the cost-of-living crisis, there are avenues for support and strategies to enhance your mental wellbeing.

You are not alone on this journey.

Fonteincoaching.co.nz

Surfing for the soul

Bay farmers are learning to take the beach back to the paddock.

Words Hayley Barnett

It’s fair to say the past few years haven’t been kind to our farming and horticulture community. Economic conditions and labour shortages have really taken their toll on a once-thriving industry. But a small group of people have been working hard to bring a little bit of sunshine back into the lives of the people holding together our country’s backbone, with an initiative called Surfing for Farmers.

The idea is self-explanatory – getting more farmers and orchard workers out onto the beach and into the waves. The free programme runs over the whole of summer and offers surf lessons and an evening out for the whole family to enjoy.

“The theme this year is to take the beach back to the paddock,” says BOP board member Sarah Hickey. “We want to encourage anyone working on a farm or in the horticulture industry to get out there into the surf then take that experience back to work, talk about it with their colleagues, or just feel better in their day-to-day life. We want that ripple effect to happen once you’re off the beach, to spread that good feeling.”

This will be the fourth season that Surfing for Farmers has run in Mount Maunganui, but the programme itself has been running since 2018. The founder, Stephen Thomson, who worked in the farming industry himself, started the project after watching a documentary on returned soldiers using surfing as PTSD therapy. 

“Something just clicked and he was like, ‘I could do that here for farmers’,” explains Sarah. 

A year later, Sarah was sitting with a friend, who had been teaching her how to surf, when they came across a newspaper article about Stephen. 

“That’s when I realised that, hey, we could do something here in the Mount,” she says. “It kind of snowballed from there and now we’re running in 28 locations around New Zealand.”

Each region operates slightly differently, but the main aim is the same. In the Bay, friends and family of the team, who surf themselves, volunteer their time to coach, and the boards and wetsuits are borrowed from local surf schools.

“It’s about sharing knowledge and getting everyone out here,” says Sarah. “It’s really fun. We always have a barbecue afterwards, so it turns into quite a community event.”

The feedback, says Sarah, has been overwhelmingly positive. “We’ve definitely had some amazing stories. We've had one guy who was a farmer his whole life but had stopped working. He came along for one session and got hooked on surfing. And that became his way to still be connected to the industry. Now, he's retired and this has become a hobby that himself and his son do together.

“It’s about connections and people. They come along, and then suddenly, three weeks in, they've got this new surfboard and wetsuit and they're grabbing their neighbours and inviting them to come down. Or they're discussing things on the farm and giving each other tips and tricks because it's a real mixture of young and old. We like to get the children involved too.”

And that ripple effect Sarah was talking about earlier comes into play throughout not just the farming community, but the wider community as well.

“Farmers’ families often tell us that their dads have come home much happier,” says Sarah. “We had a daycare sponsor give us some money and we were like, ‘What's a daycare doing sponsoring Surfing for Farmers?’ And they said it was because they notice that the kids are happier. When the dads have been out for a surf, the kids are happier at the daycare. So it's a win-win for everyone.”

But it’s not just the men getting amongst the waves. “It is mainly men but we do get quite a few women. One night we had females outnumber the males, which was a really cool night.”

So far, around 4000 to 5000 farmers are taking part every year, and Sarah says they’d like to increase that number substantially. “Our goal for 2026 is that by the end of summer 2026, we will have moved the needle for 25,000 people.”

To participate, all you need to do is turn up at any session and register. Session times are posted on the website for each region. “Just show up. That's all you need to do. We cover the rest.” 

surfingforfarmers.com

Shine a light

An upcoming event shines the light on men’s mental health by demonstrating that it’s braver to seek help than to tough it out alone.

Words Liz French

Zane Munro

For too long, Kiwi culture has celebrated the tough guy. While women have felt free to seek help from friends and professionals, men have bottled their problems. If they expressed vulnerability or showed their emotions they risked being told to “harden up”.

With one simple word and a lot of support, Cassandra Hogan intends to help change perceptions about how men deal with their mental health. The event on October 13 that will put the focus firmly on the male state of mind is simply titled: he. 

The pendulum is gradually swinging, but not fast enough, says Cassandra. As a certified life coach, she sees far more women than men, but she also gets to talk to men more deeply than many. “I’ve got a lot of guy mates,” she explains. “If they confess to me that they are finding life hard and I ask what they’ve done to get help, the answer is usually… nothing.” 

Kenrick Smith from rake Healing with one of his mammouth artworks

Awareness that the men she talked to were just the tip of the iceberg, Cassandra germinated the idea that has evolved into he. And it’s got bigger than she anticipated.

While keen to facilitate an event about men for men, she knew it needed to be by men as well. Cassandra only had to put the word out to influential males in the mental health arena to have speaker offers flooding in.

Zane Munro is a speaker who is upfront about his struggle with depression, anxiety and feeling isolated. He says that the birth of his son five years ago was the impetus for the men’s mental health support group, For All The Brothers: “I didn’t want him to grow up like this.” 

For All The Brothers provided a platform where blokes could comfortably share their experiences. It took off on social media (40,000 followers on Instagram!) and there are now branches in many centres. It has organised men’s walks all over New Zealand and Australia. “It’s easier to talk while you are walking side-by-side,” Zane points out.   

Cassandra Hogan

Cassandra is an ambassador for The Shaka Project, an Australian initiative to ignite the conversation around mental health. Sean Weir from Shaka is coming to talk about the benefits of connection, mateship and brotherhood. Shaka was inspired by a dad’s love for his kids and his friends, something Kiwi men can certainly identify with. 

Tai Tupou from Hamilton will also be an inspirational speaker. He experienced a downward spiral when a broken ankle axed his chances of playing league the day after selection. He represents The Last Chance Project, supporting men with burdens from haunting past issues to everyday pressures. The Last Chance Project provides a safe, healing and nurturing environment for men to walk positively into the next chapters of their lives.  

Kenrick Smith is better known for his pictures than his words. Kenrick started drawing in the sand during lockdown as an outlet for his energy. So began Rake Healing, which creates mindfulness and calmness by putting artistic lines in the sand. Kenrick’s greatest pleasure is helping individuals fulfil their potential. If it’s fine on he. day, his work will appear on the beach outside the venue, Mount Maunganui Surf Club. 

Co-ordinating he. is a big job for a woman with a business and a young family. Cassandra gratefully acknowledges her supportive family and friends and the assistance of Kim Brown of She is Unleashed, a networking group for self-employed women. Both women stress that while they are ensuring he. happens, this is the men’s do. 

Serious action does not mean acting seriously. he. is planned as an evening of open sharing, laughing and realising others have your back. The Surf Club will create an intimate atmosphere in an inspiring location. Attendees get a drink as they arrive and dinner is served between speakers. Sponsor enthusiasm ensures the goodie bags will be very good! Women are welcome whether as partner, friend or interested supporter.  

Well known sportsmen are already lining up to be involved in the next
event. “Next!” laughs Cassandra. But her supporters are already talking
about he. becoming a regular event and spurning spin-off groups. 

The he. event will take place on October 13, 5.30pm at Mount Maunganui Surf Club. For more information, head to the Facebook page:

 he.mensmentalhealth

Giving back to the community beyond crisis: Todd Hilleard of Noxen

“I ran at her and tackled her onto the bed. She still had the gun in her hand but now it was pointed at me. I kept thinking, ‘Is this real?’”

WORDS Ellen Brook

Todd Hilleard was passionate about being a police officer, but a routine callout turned armed confrontation was the first in a series of events that changed his state of mind. Todd had been talking to a woman who had allegedly assaulted her husband when suddenly she pulled out a pistol, held it to her head, and threatened to shoot herself.

“It was a horrible situation,” recalls Todd. “Everything was happening in slow motion and I felt awful to be pinning this woman down, trying to force the gun from her hands.It was my first time in a situation which came from nowhere and involved a firearm. I was completely unprepared for it.”

Later, Todd was rattled when a driver he’d stopped unexpectedly reached under the seat of his car. “I was worried he might be reaching for a gun, and it put me on edge,” says Todd. 

After another event where a shotgun was thought to be in the vehicle of a father who had abducted his children, Todd realised he wasn’t coping. The Police transferred him from Tauranga to Christchurch, his hometown, hoping the fresh start would improve his mental health.

But the September 2010 earthquake made Todd even more anxious. “Afterwards, I was on edge.I didn’t feel comfortable in my own skin, especially going out on jobs in the middle of the night.”

During the second earthquake in February 2011, Todd was at work on the third floor of the Christchurch Central Police Station. “The alarms went on and on, and I expected the building to come down,” says Todd. “I was terrified.”

Todd didn’t have time to dwell on his fear; he was immediately sent to the CTV building which had collapsed like a concertina, killing 115 people and trapping many more. “Other cops were on top of the rubble, but I thought, ‘I can’t be here, I’m scared’," says Todd. He stayed at the scene for 12 hours. “It was chaos. I saw terrible things you hope to never see.”

There were also bright spots. Todd and his fiancée Tash were planning their wedding, and he was working on a rewarding project organising the recovery of vehicles trapped in Christchurch’s Red Zone. But the day after his stag party, Todd went to hospital with heart palpitations. He then had an allergic reaction to the drug he was given and went into anaphylactic shock. His heart needed electrical cardioversion to restart its normal rhythm.electrical cardioversion, a high-energy shock sent to the heart to restart its normal rhythm. Todd was devastated.

“I couldn’t believe this was happening to me at 30 years old,” says Todd. “I was beside myself at the thought of my heart stopping.”

Todd married Tash in April 2011. Although the wedding was a happy occasion, Todd hit rock bottom soon afterward. “I was driving to the movies when I started to have chest pains,” says Todd. “I went to the hospital, but my heart wasn’t the problem. I was having a panic attack.”

After the birth of their baby boy, Tate, Todd woke up one morning in 2011 and  knew he couldn’t go back to work. “It was time for me to stop fighting.I felt quite euphoric about that.”

He went on sick leave from the Police, and then leave without pay. Soon after, Tash, then 24 weeks pregnant with their daughter Lexi was made redundant and the young family moved back to Tauranga. Todd found solace in the local surfing scene, but he’d lost his identity as a police officer. “I’d be out and see police cars with my old mates in them. It took a long time to accept what had happened,” says Todd. He finally resigned from his job in 2013.

Although he’d left the Police, Todd’s mental health was still poor. At his lowest point, he even considered suicide. “My twisted thoughts were my biggest battle. They put me in a very dark place and I worried I was going crazy,” says Todd. “I finally got help through my doctor, went to therapy and realised that talking openly and rawly and letting myself be vulnerable really helped.”

Todd returned to the workforce in sales at Coca-Cola and then Goodman Fielder, and stayed involved in the surfing scene. His love of the sport led him to the next chapter of his career. Taking part in the 2018 Police Association Surfing Champs in Raglan, Todd noticed that at 1.8 metres and 90kg, the XL-sized hooded towelling poncho Todd received as a souvenir of the event was too small for him. He began researching similar products and looking at samples. When he found what he wanted, he set up Noxen (noxen.co.nz), an online surf and lifestyle clothing business. 

For Todd, what started as a solution to one problem has become a way for him to give back to the community. The brand’s tagline “Ride Every Wave” reminds Todd to ride out life’s ups and downs. A percentage of each sale goes to Lifeline, the mental health and suicide prevention hotline, and a further percentage of sales revenue is donated to other charitable causes.

Todd continues to be open about his mental health, both on the Noxen website and at speaking engagements. He acknowledges that his experiences changed his ability to manage things the way he used to. “I’ll never be fully back,” says Todd. “I’ll always have anxiety and depression, but I can manage it, and now I have an opportunity to pay it forward.”

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