WHANGAREI TRANSITION TOWN NEWSLETTER

What We’re Up To

TT’s Proposed Seminars and Workshops

TT Whangarei is organising seminars and workshops on a variety of topics related to sustainable living, and we’re interested in getting your feedback. Are there things that you would like to learn that we might be able to arrange?

We’ve had a think about a few things and would like to hear if you guys would be interested in:

• Urban chocks
• How to prune fruit trees and vines
• Building composts
• Bee keeping
• Urban rain water harvesting
• Food processing – preserving etc.

Ideally we would make these as practical as possible and where appropriate run them in people backyards and houses. This is just a few so let us know other skills/things that you’d be keen to learn.

I’m also keen to hear from anyone who has skills that they would like to offer to teach/show. Just flick me an email. Will be great to hear from you.

The Whangarei Transition Town Website

The ning website that Whangarei TT currently uses has started to cost us money so unfortunately we will be closing it down at the end of March. We are going to replace the ning site with this site.http://www.transitiontowns.org.nz/whangarei.  If you join this site you will be able to put up events and start discussions.

If anybody has any ideas and wants to put some time and effort into the new site, let me know.

New Projects

If there is a project you would like to get started or help contribute too, drop me a line and I’ll put it in the next newsletter so other interested folk can get together and start getting new TT initiatives off the ground. Remember, you don’t need all the answers but by working together things can get rolling!

Steering Committee

The Whangarei TT Steering Committee is just anyone who wants to take an active role in TT. Meetings are open to anyone so just turn up. Meetings are held every Saturday at 10.00 a.m. in the Central Library on Rust Ave. You can usually find us at the round table to the left of the front doors.

Events

Seed swap

The next seed swap will be at Karl and Adrian place in Oakleigh, from 10.00am on Sunday the 27th of March. Address is:

31 Mangapai Rd

Oakleigh

Whangarei

Feel free to bring any seeds, seedlings, plants or produce to put on the swap table as well as a plate for morning tea. Everyone is welcome.

Critical Mass Bike Ride

Critical Mass is an awareness raising cycle ride around Whangarei central. The next one is on the 25th of March at5.30pm gathering outside the Old Library, Rust Avenue. For more info about what Critical Mass is all about check out www.criticalmass.org.nz

Envirofest 2011

A one day event celebrating ideas, products and services that enable Northlanders to live smarter and cheaper. The focus is on practical solutions that save money and enrich the environment. Free entry

When: Saturday 12 March 2011;

9.00am – 4.00pm

Where: Kerikeri Domain, Cobham Road, Kerikeri, Bay of Islands

For more information visit: www.envirofest.co.nz

Enter one of the competitions:

• Recycled Garden Sculptures

• Best Ever Preserve: Pickle, Chutney, Sauce, Jam
• New from Old: take old garments and make a new one.
• Best Artwork made entirely from recycled materials

Learn how to make an Adobe Pizza Oven. Attend a seminar to learn more about organic fertilizers, caring for your septic tank, financial sustainability, keeping chooks etc.

Visit the many sites showcasing building, business, home and family issues.

Have the kids entertained at the games area.

Harmony Gathering

The Harmony Gathering is the weekend of 25th - 27th March at Marsden Bay Camp, One Tree Point. Workshops are:
Yoga, Voice/Singing, Peaceful Parenting and more. All workshops are offered on a voluntary basis and come ‘from the heart’.
Price:
Adult $75.00
Children under 16 $50.00
Family $200.00
Accommodation and food (except Friday evening) included.

For more information check out Harmonygathering.com

Free Community Guided Snorkel Day at Reotahi to celebrate Seaweek Sunday. 12 March 2011, 10am - 3pm

Presented by Experiencing Marine Reserves, Supported by Department of Conservation

Experience the wonders of the Whangarei Harbour Marine Reserve. Guided snorkels at the Whangarei Harbour marine reserve site at Reotahi, Reotahi Beach. Learn more about our marine reserve!  Just turn up and register on the day. Weather permitting – for cancellations go to www.emr.org.nz . Bring your own gear or get free hire for our masks, snorkels, fins and wetsuits. Recommended for everyone 5 years old plus. All children under 15 years must be accompanied by an adult observer. Bring sun block, togs, towel, picnic lunch and a drink. Experienced guides and advanced safety procedures will be in place on the day. Its FREE, but your donation is welcome!

Location: Reotahi Beach, Whangarei Heads, Whangarei, Northland

Directions: Reotahi Beach, after McLeods Bay follow Reotahi Rd, then Beach Rd to end to Reotahi carpark, oppositeMotukaroro Island and Marsden Pt.

Contact person: Kim Jones
Email: info@emr.org.nz phone (09) 434 0779 mobile: 027 243 4818
Website: www.emr.org.nz

Interesting Stuff

EnergyWatch

EnergyWatch is the newsletter of the Sustainable Energy Forum. The purpose of the newsletter is to keep you informed on sustainable energy developments in New Zealand.

http://www.energywatch.org.nz/index.shtml

Resurgence

Resurgence is an interesting magazine for people who care about the environment, love reading, enjoy new ideas and are looking for inspiration on sustainable living. You can find it at the Whangarei Library.

http://www.resurgence.org/

About Transition Towns…

Transition Towns initiatives are part of a vibrant, international grassroots movement that brings people together to explore how we – as communities - can respond to the environmental, economic and social challenges arising from climate change, resource depletion and an economy based on growth. We don’t look for anyone to blame or anyone to save us, but believe our communities have within themselves the innovation and ingenuity to create positive solutions to the converging crises of our time. We believe in igniting and supporting local responses at any level and from anyone – and aim to weave them together into a coordinated action plan for change towards a lower energy lifestyle. By building local resilience, we will be able to collectively respond to whatever the future may bring in a calm, positive and creative way. And by remembering how to live within our local means, we can rediscover the spirit of community and a feeling of power, belonging and sharing in a world that is vibrant, just and truly sustainable. For more information check out:http://www.transitiontowns.org.nz