Kazel's blog

Transition Towns started all over the world in response to the challenges of Peak Oil and Climate Change, but there are some big advantages to being part of the transition even if those two looming troubles aren’t enough.  Some Transition Towns inititives build community, like time-banking and community vegetable gardens.  Many initiatives also help in times of economic hardship; like supporting local growers, free community market-places, saving electricity and petrol by insulating and using alternatives. » Read more

We’ve all heard the saying “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”, but how many of us realised that the reason that things don’t last for generations any more is because it was planned that way?  I first heard the term “planned obsolescence” in the excellent free 20 minute video that you can download or watch online called “The Story of Stuff”.  » Read more

Something wonderful is about to begin in Whakatane, something that has the power to improve the quality of life for people in the Eastern Bay. » Read more

Can you guess how much it electricity is used to make a loaf of bread with a breadmaker? The mixing, rising and baking takes up to three and a half hours, but at a surprisingly low cost – just nine cents a loaf.  » Read more

Did you know that 70% of our electricity in New Zealand is generated by hydro dams?  That makes our country a world leader in renewable clean energy.  Unfortunately, the other 30% is generated by burning coal, which the dirtiest, most polluting way to make electricity despite what the coal companies will try to spin.  There is no such thing as clean coal, and the whole idea of carbon capture is still just an idea.  Burning coal is responsible for more than half of the world’s total Carbon Dioxide emissions – which has been directly causing climate change since the 1800’s. » Read more

The new location for the Children’s Art House on Buchanan Street is slowly being transformed into a creative and safe environment – home for the inspiration for all the beautiful murals that adorn Opotiki.

A new fence has been built and two gates have been hung by the students of Opotiki College, with support from their teacher Kerry Gardiner.  Everything is ready for the next stage to develop now that the gardens are fully protected and sheltered. » Read more

The saying goes that “it takes a village to raise a child”.  Villages are small communities that can be remarkably self-sufficient and enterprising within the greater township.

Some of the people in the Transition Town groups in Opotiki and Whakatane are wondering how many people it will take to raise a village.  » Read more

A downturn in the economy could lead to a chance to rebuild our style of living in an improved way.  New Zealand emerged from the Great Depression with an invigorated economy and a far better standard of living.  During a down-turn in fortune we take stock and make fresh decisions about how we want to live and what kind of legacy we want to create. » Read more

Hooray for feijoa season! You know Easter is just around the corner when the green egg-sized fruit start covering the ground. A couple of trees provides such a bounty of fruit that you can bottle, freeze and store a year’s supply and still have bags full to send home with any visitors.

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I’ve really enjoyed seeing Opotiki’s new Marketplace go from strength to strength over the past two months. Regular stall-holders have made Fridays as their main day of selling, and on any sunny Friday afternoon you can wander down to the marketplace and be sure to find a selection of fresh fruit, veges, jam and even wood-fired pizza. » Read more