Robz Jones is the founder of Kura Taiao (soon to become ‘Mentored by Nature’) where he supports youth to deepen their connection to nature.
Robz will be contributing a small local nature-based segment in the Chronicle focusing on sharing skills and seasonal Nature observations in 2025. The Local Rag catches up with Robz to introduce him and his mahi to our readers.
Can you tell us about your experience as a nature mentor and the work you do?
I have worked as a Nature Connection Mentor for the past 8 or 9 years, mostly with kids but often running workshops for adults, and families too. It really varies from person to person what I do, as people’s needs and stories are always different; but I guess in a way, it’s like being a relationship counsellor, but the relationships you’re trying to strengthen are with the natural world, yourself, and exploring how the two interact.
Traditional craft and bushcraft have always played a big part in my work, but even that has always been more about the journey than the outcome/destination. For example, traditional fire has always been a popular element of my bushcraft workshops. The type where you rub two sticks together to create an ember, which you place in a bundle of tinder and blow into a ball of flames.
Culturally, we’re programmed to aspire to ‘achieve’ an ember and we plough on towards that goal. But if we can let go of that need to reach an outcome, there’s so much to explore in the process. The types of trees and where to find them (which ties into navigation, knowledge of place, soil types, etc), the shape and smell of smoke, the colour of the charred dust, the sound and vibration of the friction between the two sticks, the wind direction, moisture levels in the ground and air, and so on. When all these aspects enter our field of awareness, they all act as threads of connection, familiarity, and ultimately, neurologically speaking, become almost like friends. Imagine walking through every moment of your life, feeling like you have friends all around you. Because nature is always around you, and you have formed relationships with so many aspects of the natural world! Life changing!
When I work with kids, it’s more about holding a nurturing space where they feel both safe and seen, from which they can explore these connections intuitively, and without any time limits or expectations. Nature has blessed us with a blueprint on how to develop these connections from a young age, so nature is really the mentor here. I just create the foundation and offer the support for the kids to find their way in this world.
You have also written books on the subject. Can you tell us about these?
I’ve written several articles and blogs, and am currently working on two books but haven’t yet published anything (too busy working face to face with people).
What vision do you have for the regular series in the Chronicle and why do you think it is relevant to the Whaingaroa community ?
My vision for a monthly segment in the Chronicle is to provide our people with a narrative of the natural world they see before their eyes, every day. Not even necessarily when they’re at the bush park or the beach, but just the nature that we encounter within our mundane day to day life. The weeds on our doorsteps, the clouds and winds above us, the birds in our garden, the stars and sun, etc. These parts of nature which are reaching out to us all the time, but we never had reason or time to reach back. I’m really hoping my writing can be a spark for people to start to wonder what that birdsong means, or why this weed only grows in the shady places, or why it always rains the day after that particular cloud.
But why is any of this important to know? Because we are living in a growing epidemic of loneliness, anxiety, stress, and all sorts of mental health struggles. And knowing that we have nature as a friend, a therapist and a teacher for the rest of our lives is such a blessing which can give comfort and joy to so many people.
A regular series with Robz from Mentored by Nature.
