New Zealand was the first self-governing nation to grant all women the vote, when a bill was passed in Parliament on 19 September 1893. Each year Women’s Suffrage Day is celebrated throughout Aotearoa (although largely ignored by mainstream media, of course…). There’s an excellent web page about women winning the vote at http://www.christchurch.org.nz/women/ We went to […]
The Spring has Sprung
September 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment
We love the kaka beak, kowhai and crimson manuka around Earthsong… Peach, anemone and plum are in full bloom too…
All Black in deed…
September 17, 2015 by 3 Comments
We’ve had enough. We’re absolutely sick of having people assume we want to hear endlessly about rugby, and the ABs, and the World Cup. Like hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders, probably, we are not fans of rugby – indeed we find it a war-like, ugly disgusting game glorifying brutishness and thuggery. It’s often played […]
Who are W.H.O?
August 10, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Our Congolese friend Lema Shamamba, with the support of Hinemoa Key from Ranui Action Project, has brought together a group of refugee women living around Ranui for companionship and support. The two names they discussed for their group: Women of Hope, and Women Wake up, Helping Ourselves have become one: W.H.O – Women of Hope, Helping Ourselves […]
Whole House: ReUse – not Refuse
August 10, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The Whole House ReUse Project was founded and codirected by two women: Juliet Arnott and Kate McIntyre. With teams organised by Rekindle almost 100 artists and craftspeople from throughout Aotearoa (and beyond) have turned a red-zone Christchurch building into 390 creative works ranging from a 4m x 2.5m studio-sleepout, and dining suites, to an elegant Maori flute, […]
cranes, containers, construction, creation, contrast…
July 19, 2015 by Leave a Comment
[singlepic id=130 w= h= float=center] The central city engages us, shocks us, grieves and enchants us. It is a personal experience, human stories around every corner. the cathedral, its new gateway a tiny wooden whare with richly planted roof and sides, its gaping nave a black cave with pigeons roosting in it giant cranes nudging […]
Happy New Year, Winter Solstice, and Matariki!
June 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment
At Earthsong: A time to plant, and a time to rest and reflect… Tanya and Yuki have planted a hundred garlic cloves in the Earthsong community garden for harvesting on midsummer day. But with looming frosts and lots of rain, better to wait a month or two before planting most other crops outside. Trays of seedlings nestle on our deck awaiting […]
More Matariki Events…
June 18, 2015 by 1 Comment
Our first Matariki event was an afternoon tea with distinguished Maori writer Patricia Grace at the refurbished Edwardian Masonic Hotel in Devonport. Patricia was introduced by Mere Whaanga who is currently the writer in residence at the Michael King Centre in Devonport. Patricia Grace has just launched her new novel, Chappy, her first major fiction work in […]
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