2March2010
Posted by admin under: News.
As I browse through the online profiles of wwoofers, it seems that in
the vast majority of cases it’s the persons’ first trip to New Zealand
and also their first experience wwoofing. My situation is somewhat
different, as I made my first visit to NZ 25 years ago, and have been
coming back about once a year ever since. I first joined wwoof in 1991,
and have been involved with the program on and off since that time.
Some things have changed a lot since then, and some hardly at all. The
New Zealand countryside seems to have a timeless quality about it. The
grass and trees and sheep look about the same. However, the issues which
concern the environmental movement have changed over the years. In the
early days, the primary concern seemed to be the effects of synthetic
herbicides and pesticides on people and the environment. Now, in addition to those issues; genetic modification, global warming, peak
oil, and sustainability issues have joined the mix. The Transition
Towns movement is a good example of the latter.
Within wwoof, the major change has been in communications technology.
In 1991, the internet and e-mail were academic curiosities, and
overseas phone calls cost a fortune. Wwoof revolved around the
printed book. You ordered the book, and then sent letters by snail
mail to line up an initial host. Once in-country, the telephone was
the only way to make contact. Printed listings in the book could become out of date quickly. Now, with the wwoof website and e-mail,
everything has changed. Not only can hosts provide more information about themselves, including photos, but prospective
wwoofers get to post their profiles as well. The wwoof website
continues to evolve, with new features being added all the time. With
much more current information available, as well as faster and
cheaper communication, easier and (hopefully) more compatible
placements can be achieved.
One thing that hasn’t changed is that wwoof continues to be just as
much about people as about agriculture. My interest has always been
more in the social aspects of wwoofing, and the majority of my
wwoofing experience has been at various intentional communities and
group living situations which utilize the wwoof program. At one
community north of Auckland, my job was to operate the wwoofer program
for several 3 month periods, so I’ve had the opportunity to
participate in the program from both perspectives, host as well as
wwoofer. This was a large community, and we had an average of 4 or 5
wwoofers there at a time, with an all-time high of 10 over one
Christmas period!
The wwoof website is sort of like an on-line dating service, where
prospective wwoofers and hosts try to determine how well they will get
along, living and working together. No matter how much information is
on the website or how much communication takes place, that first face
to face meeting will always be something of an adventure! Sometimes
the chemistry is right, and sometimes it isn’t. I’ve always felt that
the experience of meeting and getting to know new people and their
viewpoints is as valuable an aspect of the program as is learning
organic farming techniques.
Have fun wwoofing!
Chuck Hart
12November2009
Posted by admin under: News.
No time to garden? The Dirt Doctor Workshops provide the secrets to growing
a lot of food, in little space for busy people. Soil-focused gardening gives
you a new perspective on the benefits of weeds, an appreciation of the good
microbes living within the soil and the practical ability to bring their own
soil to life. Feed your family of four in just 30 minutes of gardening a
week!
Urban Eden Workshop
Saturday December 5, 9:30 4pm. Cost $60
Learn how to prepare a highly productive chemical free garden from scratch.
Workshop includes practical methods of garden and compost creation and
leaves you with the secrets to maximising soil health and a new appreciation
of weeds.
Advanced Soil Biology Workshop
Sunday December 6, 9:30 3:30pm. Cost $60
The Advanced Workshop moves away from the more basic concepts of gardening
methods and takes a more scientific approach that examines the relationship
between soil biology and plant health. We have an extensive discussion on
the Soil Food Web and the symbiotic relationships between bacteria, fungi
and other life beneath the soil and the nutrient uptake of plant roots. As
an example, Jim demonstrates how a focus on these relationships has led to
success in his key crops of garlic and tomatoes.
Also, we look at micro-organism technologies and make some bio-spray, or
“compost tea” that you can take home and use on your garden. We also
acknowledge that you may have specific areas of concern and there are
opportunities throughout the day to answer your more specific questions.
Please find details of the weekend below, if you have any questions please
feel free to get in touch.
Saturday December 5 - Urban Eden Workshop, Sunday December 6 - Advanced Soil
Biology Workshop
The workshop is being held at the farm of Roslyn Taylor, 46 Kina Peninsula,
Tasman. Roslyn’s phone number is 03 526 6846. We will have signage out on
the day, but parking will be at the bottom of the drive.
Please arrive from 9:30am to ensure a prompt start at 10am. Day runs until
4pm
Payment is required to secure your booking. This can be made via online
payment or by cheque (details below). Cost per person is $60 per day.
Tea and coffee will be provided, however please bring a lunch to share.
Please bring a notebook, pen and a cushion. If you would like to take home a
sample of Bio-Spray, this will be available on the Sunday and please bring a
container and lid.
We will also be taking orders for our Dirt Doctor Tools and for the DVD that
Jim O’Gorman features in, ‘Earth Whisperers Papatuanuku’.
Payment Details:
Cheques made out to: Dirt Doctor Ltd
C/- Jim O’Gorman
Kakanui PDC
North Otago 9495
(Please ensure that your cheque arrives by Wednesday December 2.)
Online Payment to: 02 0520 0120807 00
Particulars Surname
7September2009
Posted by admin under: News.
by Maria Wu, Toronto, Canada
It does not matter where in the country you go, showpiece scenery is always on display: bays sprinkled with islands, snow-capped volcanoes, bright blue mountain lakes, sea cliffs and rocky caves, rivers and waterfalls in semi-tropical rainforests, white-sand beaches, ancient and giant trees, green grassy hills that slope into river gorges. And so it goes on. Yes, the landscape is awesome. And, as important, are the great people. Whether you are in the Visitor Information Centers or with hosts in country homes, you will be looked after by genuinely friendly, well-informed and down-to earth folks. New Zealand’s remoteness is precisely what keeps it precious and unspoiled. Once you get over the long flights required to get there, it is easy to rent a car and drive around at your own pace.
I have visited the country three times over a span of 11 years and have never been disappointed. For me I have chosen to travel NZ with an organization called Willing Workers on Organic Farms (WWOOF). WWOOF allows volunteers/travelers to stay on organic farms and join in with the various projects their hosts are engaged in. There is a variety of such properties spread throughout NZ, including farms, market gardens, communities and ventures in self-sufficiency in which organic growing plays some part. Currently there are nearly 1200 WWOOF Farms in NZ. While living with the family, the ‘wwoofer’ is expected to join in and help with the day-to-day activities. Generally four to six hours help each day is required. In addition, help with cooking, washing up, etc., is recommended and is appreciated by the hosts. For me, WWOOF has provided the opportunity to live and experience the daily life of New Zealand families.
Before leaving Toronto, I contacted WWOOF of New Zealand by e-mail at support@wwoof.co.nz and signed up as a member. As my first stop would be Christchurch and I wanted to spend several weeks around the Banks Peninsula, I contacted a number of hosts by e-mail in both areas. I was accepted in Christchurch by ‘English Park Eco Accommodation’ for seven days, followed by three weeks with ‘Sally and Richard Gabric’ at Little River, followed by three weeks with ‘John Thom & Julie Wagner’ at Duvauchelle. At the end of those seven weeks, I would travel independently for a while before doing more WWOOFing.
In my experience, it was best to contact the hosts by email. It allowed me to give a short description of myself. Each position provided me with a different experience. Initially I was apprehensive before meeting my hosts but this quickly dissipated as I found the New Zealanders I met were friendly, sincere, and helpful. I felt at home within the first hour of my arrival. Every family, without exception, was happy in their life style, had healthy diets, dressed for comfort, was involved with the local community, loved and cared for the environment. Most of them had book shelves full of books which I was welcome to read. I was glad that I had the opportunity of reading many books written by New Zealand authors about life in that country.
The Banks Peninsula is one of the most beautiful volcanic areas in Canterbury on the South Island of New Zealand. I felt in love with the beauty of Akaroa Harbor when I first saw it and felt certain that the surrounding areas would be worth exploring. Since I had come without a car, I asked my host where I was staying how I could see more of the area. I was told to take a trip with the “mail run”. The folks in the Information Centre at Akaroa were delighted to book my trip with Garry and Anita Trott who do the “Eastern Bays Mail Run”. This is a daily excursion (Monday to Saturday) that leaves the Akaroa Information Centre at 9 a.m. Bookings are essential as there are only eight seats in the bus. The trip visited no fewer than ten bays, traveled over 120 km, serviced over 100 mail boxes and climbed from sea level to heights ranging from 300 – 700 meters on no fewer than eight occasions. In addition to all this natural beauty, passengers learn how the mail gets through to these isolated bays and communities, whatever the weather. Barry and Anita were full of information: sharing historical facts of the Banks Peninsula and insider stories of the rural communities, fascinating stories not to be found in any books. Two hours into our journey, we stopped at Little Akaroa Bay, where Anita served a sumptuous mid-morning meal with scones and sandwiches which she had made that morning. Afterwards we visited a quaint little church – St. Luke by the Sea – wherein they would serve the same meal when the weather does not co-operate. The four-and-a-half-hour trip was the best way to see the magnificent, pristine beauty of this region and the isolation of the farmsteads and hamlets.
One of the highlight of my wwoofing stay turned out to be the time I spent at the “Flying Fox”, located in the lower Whanganui River Valley, surrounded by the Whanganui National Park, in central North Island. Access to this property is by boat along the river or by aerial cableway! It appealed to my sense of adventure, so I contacted Annette Main who agreed to host me for a week. The fun started as soon as I entered the gate signed “The Flying Fox” and walked down a short but steep gravel road, at the end of which I found a cable car and a box containing a sheet of instructions. To contact the host, John Blythe, I blew the whistle hanging on a pole, climbed into the cable car and then waited as instructed. Five minutes later, John appeared. I shouted to him that I was ready and shortly the cable car moved off, over the river about 100 ft below. My heart skipped a beat when I looked down but my apprehension disappeared when I saw John’s cheerful, smiling face. John showed me two cottages, a caravan and a camper. Each is unique, built and decorated with love, pride and creativity by John and Annette. As soon as I met them, I felt at home. My seven day working experience at the Flying Fox went by far too quickly, yet I never left the property. I walked, read and enjoyed my hosts’ eclectic collection of old records, and meals with them and their guests.
28April2009
Posted by admin under: News.
We urgently need to promote the importance of the volunteer and non-profit sector during the downturn, as funding is in decline while demand for services are increasing.
To highlight the importance of the volunteer sector and reward New Zealand’s most outstanding volunteers, Good Magazine and Intrepid Travel have joined forces to create the Intrepid Travel National Volunteer Awards.
The Awards are a part of a larger national campaign which will be used to bring attention to the true value of volunteering while building up to Volunteer Awareness Week (14th -20th June). The campaign will be bringing an impressive arsenal of media together including Good Magazine, The Sunday Star Times anda TV campaign.
How it works
Charities from all over New Zealand will be nominating their best volunteers under 7 different categories. Good magazine will load them on to a voting webpage on our social networking site for charities and volunteers www.gomad.co.nz
The Sunday Star Times will be running a promotion for 2 weeks (print and online) to send people to the site to vote for the favorite volunteers. The winners and their charities from each category will be profiled in a special supplement in Good magazine which will hit the news stands on the 15th of June.
The awards will be held at AUT’s St Paul Gallery on Thurs 11th June, the week prior to Volunteer Awareness Week. We have an extensive PR campaign planned which will create opportunities for charities to get their stories out in main stream media.
The overall winner will get a $5000 volunteering holiday from Intrepid and Good magazine will donate 20% of its subscription revenue in June and July tothe winning volunteer’s charity
or project.
What you will get:
- Massive media exposure: As a finalist your charity will reach over 600,000 people.
- Cash donation and free advertising: As the winning charity you will get $4,500 of free advertising in Good magazine and 20% of our subscription revenue from the June/July issue.
- A reward for your volunteers: The volunteer of the year will win a $5,000 Volunteering Holiday.
Deadline Friday 1st of May
We will need the form, photo and logo emailed to us by the 1st of May but pleases try and supply the information before that to make production easier for us.
For further information contact Jessica on 09 966 0999
Kind regards,
Jessica Lax
Project Manager
Good Magazine
Tel 099660999
Email jessica@hbmedia.co.nz
HB Media Ltd, Level 4, HB Building, 228 Queen Street, Auckland
23April2009
Posted by admin under: News.
The 5 Elements- Tattwa dharana
Queen’s Birthday Weekend
29th May – 1st June 2009 (3 nights)
Aio Wira Retreat, Waitakere, Auckland
Teacher: Swami Chintanshuddhi coming from India
Description:
Explore the yogic view of the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and ether (pancha tattwa) and their associated chakras. Tap into the essence behind creation and evolution in a simple, accessible and practical weekend. As the predominance and balance of the elements change, their mirror is seen in the body, mind and health. Immerse yourself in nature’s arms!
* Explore the tattwas and their associated chakras
* Utilize mantras and yantras
* Hatha yoga practices with element focus
* Tattwa dharana meditations
* Havan (fire ceremony)
Jnani & The Anahata Team
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION contact
Anahata Yoga Retreat
P.O. Box 155, Takaka,
Golden Bay, New Zealand
03 525-9887
www.anahata-retreat.org.nz
“There is no noise in the world. There is no peace in the Himalayas. Both are within you.” - Paramahamsa Satyananda
If you wish to be on our mailing list and are not, or received this email in error and wish to be removed from our mailing list, please let us know… Om Tat Sat
13April2009
Posted by admin under: News.
Hello,
I’m currently working on a 26 minutes film on this outstanding novel way of living, farming, travelling, sharing, the WWOOFING! … for the documentary program “Envoyé Spécial” on the French national TV channel, France2, -telecast this summer-.
And I’m looking for people crazy about WWOOFING around the world, who are willing to
participate in this film in the near future.
We are following this month french Wwoofers in France, India, Nepal, Japan and US, but we will be extremely happy to meet french wwoofers in New Zeland as soon as possible. I work for a teleproduction agency called Babel : babelpresstv.com.
Can you contact me if you’re in the game?
Thank you very much,
Julie Peyrard
juliepeyrard@hotmail.fr
+919958111210
12April2009
Posted by admin under: News.
OBITUARY GEORGE RICHARD (DICK) ROBERTS
Dick Roberts said more than 3000 folk had worked on his farm during the 30 years or so that he lived out his ideals of appropriate land use in Todd Valley.
He was one of the instigators of the WWOOFing Scheme (Willing Workers On Organic Farms) and workers came came from every corner of the globe, learning about his theories, which he practised.
The words microclimate, ecology and sustainability were all frequently on his lips, long before they became common practice. Though many of his ideas may now almost be in danger of becoming hackneyed, he was among the first to disseminate them in Nelson.
Mr Roberts was a fervent teacher, and his urge to impart his enthusiasm for biology, evolution and genetics resulted in his huge photo library; slides he’d taken all over the world which eventually illustrated text books and encyclopedias on matters geographical, biological and agricultural.
This was all part of his utilitarian philosophy.
Though there were flowers at his place (I suspect smuggled in by WWOOFers), when presented with some beautiful blooms, he would be more inclined to hold forth on the exquisite mechanisms that had evolved to promote pollination than just delight in them.
He was no Mr Gradgrind, but there were inclinations that way. He was something of a missionary in his zeal for reason. He was a long- time member of Rationalist and Humanist associations, and was a member of Voluntary Euthanasia and Exit groups. Almost the last words he spoke to me were “I’ve just bought a wonderful book on genetics, you must read it!”
He was a long-serving member and president of the New Zealand Tree Crops Association, and wrote articles for magazines that were devoted to conservation and other green topics.
He was a keen healthy lifer, but confessed one day that although he grew and ate salads he really didn’t like them.
On a more personal level, his longest lasting relationship, with Faye, was tragically cut short a few years earlier by her death from cancer. She, perhaps, made him aware of his limited cultural interests, and for a while he was a member of a Book Discussion Scheme, though he hardly ever read the books, unless they had a factual, preferably biological, bias. He was prone to losing the books and when a meeting was to be held at his house he always forgot and went to a compost meeting instead. Consequently, he was drummed out of the group.
As a schoolboy Mr Roberts lived for sport, got a blue at Cambridge for running, introduced dancing at the boys’ boarding school where he taught, and tango dancing became his abiding delight.
He gained a commission in World War II and later took a degree in biology at Cambridge University.
He was modest about his abilities, and was fond of saying that while he was not particularly bright “I’ve used every neuron I’ve got”.
In many ways he was ahead of his times. Born in Devon, he came to live in New Zealand shortly after the Cuba crisis in the belief that if things got really bad, the southern hemisphere had a better chance of pulling through - a reasoning that is arguably still very sound.
A few years ago, having failed in his endeavour to make his farm an educational trust to continue his land-use philosophies, he sold up and went to live in the city, where he died peacefully on March 23. He was 84.
Mr Roberts is survived by his daughter Joy and granddaughter Nova.
Christopher Vine.
2April2009
Posted by admin under: News.
with the Taranaki Environment Centre
$75 per weekend (amazing price!)
1. PERMACULTURE PHILOSOPHY & DESIGN - 6 & 7 June 09
with Kama Burwell
We will explore ecology and the ethics & design principles of permaculture.
We’ll learn to read & apply landscape patterns, and practice permaculture
design in the sandpit.
2. WATER, APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY, ENERGY - 18 & 19 July 09
with Kama Burwell & Michael Lawley
We’ll explore how water moves through the landscape and how we can design
to enhance water quality & quantity. We’ll also explore nutrient cycles,
greywater, appropriate technology, and ethanol & methane production. On
Sunday afternoon we’ll visit Eco-Innovation with Michael Lawley to
explore renewable energy.
3. ECO-LOGICAL BUILDING - August (date to be confirmed)
with Graeme North
We’ll explore the ecology of buildings, natural materials (local earth,
straw, timber etc), passive solar design, and building health. We’ll get
our hands dirty in a practical earth-building project.
4. CLIMATES, SOILS, GARDENING - 12 & 13 Sept 09
with Dee Turner & Jodi Roebuck
At Dee Turner’s farm, we’ll explore climates of the world, the
importance of food production, zone 1 design, soils, carbon and nitrogen
cycles, & biodynamics. On Sunday, we’ll visit Jodi Roebuck’s Seed
Keeper property and learn about bio-intensive mini-farming, make some
compost, and explore seed saving.
5. URBAN LIVING & WASTE - 24 & 25 Oct 09
with Lisa Talbot & James Bellamy
Our urban areas need to be redesigned and retrofitted. At the Marfell
Community Garden & Community Centre we’ll explore sustainable living,
ecological footprints, waste, compost toilets, transition towns, &
retro-fitting urban environments. We’ll do some hands-on projects that
contribute to the Marfell Community Garden.
6. FOOD FORESTS, FORESTRY, PASTORAL FARMING - 14 & 15 Nov 09
with John Earney, Steve Pivac, & Kama Burwell
We’ll explore farm design, soil & carbon farming, and integration of
fodder & tree crops. We’ll visit John Earney’s farm and explore
pastoral farming strategies, multi-species rotation, and living tree
fence/fodder systems. Then we’ll stop at Steve Pivac’s forestry block
and explore forestry design and using horses to harvest timber. On Sunday
we’ll explore the design of shelter, food forests, orchards, and the
integration of small animals.
7. COMMUNITY, DESIGNING FOR DISASTER, NUTRITION - 30 & 31 Jan 2010
with Kama Burwell & Ruth Cohen
We’ll explore community decision-making, legal structures & ownership,
banking & financial systems, co-operative enterprises. We’ll also explore
designing to cope with disasters such as fire, climate change, volcanic
eruptions, and tsunami. Ruth Cohen will address seasonal and local food,
ferments, preserving your yields, and maximising the nutritional value of
your food. We’ll make sourdough bread and bake it in the cob oven.
8. DESIGN PROJECT - 27 & 28 Feb 2010
with Kama Burwell & Dee Turner
In small groups or solo, you will complete and present a design project.
The aim of the project is to apply permaculture design to a specific site
or proposal, while making use of the knowledge and processes learnt during
the course.
Full course details are attached.
To enrol in the Permaculture Design Certificate, or any of the weekends,
please email me or give me a ring.
Regards,
Kama Burwell
Coordinator for Taranaki Enviroschools
& Permaculture Design Certificate
Taranaki Environment Centre
20 Kauri Street, Inglewood
Ph 06 756-8229
www.environaki.co.nz
1April2009
Posted by admin under: News.
We’re looking for any UK wwoofers that might be in New Zealand to escape the recession and make the most of the opportunity by doing a bit of travelling/taking gap years etc.
There’s been lots of media interest in this and we’re looking for case studies – people that wouldn’t mind sharing their story.
If you come across any wwoofers from the UK, would be fantastic if you could please let me know.
Many thanks,
Joanna
Joanna Cheok
PR Officer UK & Europe
Tourism New Zealand - Manaakitanga Aotearoa
New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TE
DDI: +44 (0)20 7389 0152 | Mobile: +44 (0)7712 578 656 | joannac@tnz.govt.nz
31March2009
Posted by admin under: News.
Hello Friends,
Kia Ora,
Thanks to all of you for your interest in the programmed to be run in Kina Peninsula for 12 days during three week.
The initial aim of this workshop was to apply diverse techniques into building something functional and to experience the whole process of such techniques with a social focus by working in group and community. This requires at least 3 weeks, and a minimum of 10 people previously enrolled.
Because to-day, three days away from the starting date of the workshop we couldn’t reach this goal the first week has been cancelled.
Enthusiastic for the good interest of some of you fellows, we are trying to make this happen. We have come to an alternative version of a one week program as a compact workshop that can cover briefly the same alternative techniques stated in the program, with the cost of $100 NZ dollars and with the following program and tentative schedule.
Still for this to happen, a minimum of 10 people is required to be previously enrolled.
PROGRAM
Thursday 2nd of April 2pm-8pm
Bamboo: introduction about harvesting, treatment, preparation, joints and structures, brief exercise about garden structures, and application into buildings.
Other Fibres: Revision of hemp, yute, flax, and some grasses and straws as a building Material.
Friday 3rd of April 2pm-8pm
Earth as a Building Material: Introduction differentiation of soils and uses, tests, mixture and brief understanding of different principles of Earth buildings.
Wattle and Daub: practical exercise applied into a building.
Straw Clay: Introduction, preparation and exercise applied to a building.
Saturday 4th of April 9am-1pm (lunch brake) 2pm-8pm
Adobes (Mud Bricks): Introduction, preparation, moulds, joining mixture, and exercise into a building.
Cob: Introduction, mixture, preparation, exercise into a building; Oregon technique, bottle work, sculptural application.
Sunday 5th of April 9am-1pm (lunch brake) 2pm-8pm
Reviewing of techniques: Integrating Natural Materials for Sustainable way of Building, Reviewing of Manuals, handbooks examples and Bibliography.
Choose a Favourite: Practical work and building exercise to apply the technique of your preference.
Finishing walls: Natural Plasters, Details and Paints.
*note: This program has been redesigned to be more compact and more intensive, therefore 36 hours where divided to fit half day Thursday and Friday, and full day during Saturday and Sunday. Bring your lunch to share on Saturday and Sunday, and as an option dinner also can be shared if you all feel like it.
Let us know any comments or suggestions.
Once10 people have contacted me for enrolment I will email the group with the account details for payment. An initial 50% of the total cost is asked as a confirmation of your enrolment. And the deadline for enrolments is Monday the 30th of March.
Thanks for your understanding, interest time and energy, we will love to know about your comments and suggestions, hoping to hear from you soon.
Please phone (03) 5266846 to make enquiries.
Blessings
Jaime Rios
Bambungalos@hotmail.com
