Some of my time-consuming activities this year have arisen in the course of local community commitments; others have been projects which have emerged through meeting interesting people further afield. Here are some examples of both… Earthsong Centre Trust constitution and new reporting requirements At meetings of the Earthsong Centre Trust, which I chaired 2015-16, it became […]
Auckland Regional Parks
December 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The Regional Parks in Tamaki Makaurau are amazing – 26 of them, from Te Arai in the north to the Hunua Ranges in the south, and on both east and west coasts. Many have baches which were farm cottages, now available to the public to rent for holidays. We honour the foresight of the regional […]
Turanganui-a-Kiwa… (Gisborne)
October 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Turanganui-a-Kiwa was our spring holiday destination this year. Sunshine every day, so much to do and see.. here are a few highlights.. Watching the Walkway From our motel balcony we enjoyed watching the variety of people on Oneroa, the new coastal walkway, which stretches the length of Waikanae beach: walkers, of course, but also runners, […]
Two Roads Worth Travelling
October 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
From Turanganui-a-kiwa to Te Wairoa: on the inland road… From Gisborne, the inland road leads across plentiful plains, up into rugged hill country , and then descends into Tiniroto, Frasertown and Wairoa. A side road took us to Tiniroto village – pub, school, community garden and a couple of houses clustered above the lake. A hospitable publican […]
Te Wairoa…(Wairoa)
October 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Te Wairoa itself has all the charm to be a thriving town. The shops and cafes stretch along the edge of the river, colourful and cared-for. Houses are plentiful – and unbelievably cheap, around $100,000 for a modest bungalow . But there aren’t enough paying jobs. The Wairoa Freezing Works, once a major thriving employer […]
Kotare Village and Koanga Institute
October 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
We’ve known Kay Baxter and Bob Corker for more than 25 years. They did design plans for our land at Awhitu, and our orchards were planted with Kay’s recommended varieties of heritage deciduous and subtropical plants. We have a huge respect for their work over the years. So we decided to go to an Open […]
Spring Equinox greetings from Earthsong…
September 19, 2016 by 1 Comment
A rhythmic chorus of frogs and a coloratura tui wake us at 5 am each day here at Earthsong. As Tanya’s photo above shows, the frogs are afrogging in our pond. And the tuis are acrobatting in the tallest trees. Auckland in spring is tempestuous – sudden gusts and showers, days of rain followed by frosty nights […]
Inside Out
September 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
We’ve had four very different experiences in the last week which could all be called “Inside Out”- very fitting for spring weather, this time of challenge, change and new growth: • Gurmon Sup (“Dark Forest”, an installation at Te Uru Gallery by an Auckland-based Korean artist and tomato grower) • New Voices (readings […]
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