We’ve mentioned before our friendship with Farida and Shila, from the group which founded Shakti in Aotearoa. http://shakti-international.org/about-us-nz/ We have a huge admiration for Shakti’s work, which began in Auckland as a service for women from minority ethnic backgrounds experiencing domestic violence. This year it celebrates 20 years here in Aotearoa, and its expansion to […]
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 […]
A Treat at Tongariro
June 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment
We ‘ve just had an invigorating break in the dramatic Tongariro National Park in the Central North Island. We enjoyed the icy air and rosy snow-capped mountains at dusk on our first day, exploring the mounds on the plateau left by an ancient avalanche, a drive up to Scoria Flat on the rocky volcanic slopes of Ruapehu, misty bush walks beside […]
Arts, Animals, Admiration, Ambivalence..
May 19, 2015 by 1 Comment
We had an unexpected opportunity in late April to visit the Gibbs Farm Park in Kaukapakapa, north of Auckland. On earlier journeys we’d glimpsed from the road Bernar Venet’s corten steel cluster (called 88.5° ARC x8) but were even more impressed by Neil Dawson’s beautiful Horizons and Maririjke de Goey’s The Mermaid, above… […]
ALL FRESCO: K-Road Art 2015
May 19, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Dingy alleyways and dirty walls around Karangahape Road are blossoming with art works. Congratulations to the K-Road Business Association for inviting good street artists to enliven some of the bare walls in the neighbourhood. This is a very creative alternative to fighting a losing battle against random taggers! Once a good piece of street art is created it […]
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