Greetings for the first fruits of the Māori New Year! We had a special celebration this year during Matariki- a lunch at Manee Thai with our Shakti friends, because the birthdays of two of their older supporters happened to fall during Matariki this year: Retna, mother of Shila (July 14), turned 84, and Charmaine […]
1. In the south…Whakatū-Nelson
July 19, 2020 by Leave a Comment
On 22 June we took off to the South Island for 10 days, to catch up with friends and explore an area we hadn’t visited for some years- Whakatū (Nelson) and Mohua (Golden Bay). Of course, we were doing our patriotic duty too, at PM Jacinda’s suggestion, supporting AirNZ and a range of small businesses […]
2. In the south: Mohua-Golden Bay
July 19, 2020 by Leave a Comment
After our stop at Mapua we drove over Tākaka Hill to Tākaka township, which still has a distinctively ‘alternative’ atmosphere, with its gentle pace, organic shops and old-style hippy culture. Tākaka obviously also continues to have a strong community focus, and a more modern political focus too – a clear Black Lives Matter statement on […]
School Holiday Adventures…
July 19, 2020 by 1 Comment
We look forward to school holidays because we get to be kids again for a few days! Two of our favourite young ones come for overnight stays in our apartment- Ellie, aged 8 (Tanya’s grand-niece) and Taiga aged 10 (our Japanese neighbour from Earthsong days). With each of them, we look at what’s on downtown, […]
Beyond Rahui…
June 18, 2020 by 1 Comment
Two huge challenges are spreading around the planet- the sickness caused by the Covid-19 Virus, and the liveliness aroused by the healthy Black Lives Matter movement. Surely we humans can use these two dramatic experiences to shape real changes for our futures together on this tiny, fragile planet? We’ve been moved by the shifts which […]
Remembering Atareta Poananga
May 17, 2020 by Leave a Comment
We were both saddened to read of Atareta’s recent death. Here is a letter of thanks from Tanya to Moana Maniapoto, well-known NZ musician, lawyer and powerful social justice advocate, expressing gratitude for her tribute to the late Atareta Poananga, wahine toa no Ngati Porou, Ngati Rangitane… Kia ora Moana, I want to thank you very much […]
At the Table …?
April 19, 2020 by Leave a Comment
We are a bit addicted to the “Jacinda and Ashleigh Show” on radio or TV most days at 1pm. The Prime Minister and the Director-General of Health present the latest news on Covid-19 with clarity and warmth. We are grateful that swift action to isolate cases and prevent the spread we have seen in some […]
Amazing Autumn Artistry..
March 19, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Before the outbreak of Covid-19, we had the good fortune to engage in a range of stimulating and challenging events around Tamaki Makauraru, Kelmarna Gardens Trust put on a fundraising dinner, in the gardens, in cooperation with Forest and Ozone Cafés – a feast of fruit, vegetables and herbs picked from the gardens, prepared and […]
Earthsong Eco Neighbourhood
Public Good