Vulnerability and hopelessness descended on me as I watched helplessly as fire engulfed our power shed a couple of weeks ago… We’d had a week of dreadful weather and a team of builders onsite so the generator had kicked in to give the solar batteries a boost when the lights began to flicker and the… Continue reading Disempowerment!
Category: Permaculture
Bringing it on home
After nearly two years since we first saw our architect and the day finally arrived last week…. our house was due for delivery! The bulk of the construction of the six pods that make up the house being done at the builders yard an hours drive away at Mahakipawa. Our craftsman Builder David Kepes getting… Continue reading Bringing it on home
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Empowered!
The Vagra is a powerful symbol in the Buddhist world as the diamond thunderbolt of wisdom that cuts through ignorance in a flash of light – The Vagra handles of the newly installed power station at Ngahere Hou represent a great way to open the doors to our new solar power I think! Our place… Continue reading Empowered!
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We’ve got plans!
Our house plans have gone to Council and now we wait to get started on the build! Hugh Tennent is our architect and he’s done a brilliant job in bringing our dream to realisation. Our vision to live lightly on our beautiful land, in a small but spacious and sustainably off the grid home looks… Continue reading We’ve got plans!
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Going Home
Another commission has found its way home! It’s a painting of Woodpecker Bay on the wild the West Coast, one of my most sacred places where my spirit flies free in the mountains, the wind and sea. Although I only lived there four years it was a time that really shaped me, where I felt… Continue reading Going Home
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Get in the Sun
Living off the grid you learn to adjust your behaviour to minimise your power usage. So during a week of blazing sunshine it was something of a surprise to run out of power! At Hou Ngahere we have a basic but very effective solar system. Starting with just the two panels (on the… Continue reading Get in the Sun
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For the love of it!
It’s harvest time in the olive grove at ‘Hou Ngahere’ and its been a whirlwind of activity on the hillside! I’ve just returned from my Diamond Approach International Retreat Group and getting out among the birds and trees is a great way of integrating the work. It’s making me very happy indeed! There is something… Continue reading For the love of it!
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Give me spots
“Hey farmer, farmer Put away that DDT now Give me spots on my apples But LEAVE me the birds and the bees Please! Don’t it always seem to go That you don’t know what you’ve got ‘Til its gone They paved paradise And put up a parking lot” ~ Joni Mitchell, Big Yellow Taxi.… Continue reading Give me spots
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Planting the seed
The last of the spring planting is done at ‘Hou Ngahere’! We got the final 30 Kowhai trees in the ground (part of the 270 from the Easter planting) before it dries out for the summer. Now we’re watching the Kereru (Wood Pigeon) shred the older Kowhai trees. Its not all bad though, having them visit… Continue reading Planting the seed
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One small step…
They’re in! Every single one of the 500 trees supplied by the Wellington City Council are now happily ensconced in their new home, the Buckley Road Reserve. Thanks to all that gave a helping hand. We had some good weather and a great mix of new and familiar faces, young and old, Maranui scones and… Continue reading One small step…
Life and Light 