Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui.

Be strong, be brave, be steadfast.

Manawa is a space for women to build confidence in the outdoors—through hands-on learning, shared experiences, and real connection. Whether you're backing a trailer for the first time, hiking into a remote hut, or just looking to meet other women who get it, you're in the right place.

Founded by Britt Davies, Manawa was born from a love of the wild and a desire to make the outdoors more accessible, supportive, and empowering for wāhine of all backgrounds.

We run a mix of speaker events, practical skills workshops, and multi-day experiences—all designed to help you feel more confident outside, and more connected inside.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be open to giving it a go.

We focus on

  • Confidence

    Gaining practical outdoor skills that help you feel capable

  • Connection

    To Te Taiao (the natural world), to self, and to others

  • Challenge

    Pushing your limits in a supported environment

  • Reflection

    Creating space to grow, reset, and reconnect

Why Manawa?

Manawa means heart or pulse in te reo Māori.

In this context it speaks to the rhythm that connects us—to our environments, to each other, and to ourselves. It’s the feeling you get when you pause to breathe in the bush, when your heart races as you try something new, or when you're standing beside someone who understands what it's taken to get there.

Our Values

  • Building resilience—mentally, physically, and emotionally—through outdoor experiences.

  • Stepping outside our comfort zones, pushing boundaries, and embracing challenges with an open heart.

  • Fostering a supportive community of women who lift each other up.

  • Honoring and caring for the whenua (land) that allows us to grow.

  • Equipping women with the skills, confidence, and mindset to thrive in outdoor spaces.

Meet the Founder

Kia ora, I’m Britt—a designer, hunter, outdoor lover, and big believer in the power of saying yes to challenge. I grew up fishing and duck shooting with my whānau in Tauranga, and later found a love for the mountains and big wild places of the South.

After stepping further into the hunting and outdoor world, I realised how important it is to have spaces where women feel welcome, supported, and empowered to learn. Manawa is my way of creating that space—for all of us who are still learning, still growing, and still getting out there.

Come and join me on this journey, I can’t wait to meet you all where you’re at.