WHEN: 7:30pm Monday 1st March
WHERE: Paraparaumu Community Centre (next to library off Rimu road)

What is this meeting about?

In the past TTK has been run following the model suggested by TT UK. IE We have had a steering group who have organised & run TTK activities. This model has worked reasonably well for the past 2 years, but finding and keeping enthusiastic steering group members has been a challenge. Another model that other TTs use is to have open public meetings once a month at which anyone can attend and help guide TT forward. EG TT Otaki have a pot luck dinner get together once a month.

So this meeting is to invite suggestions and feedback on what TTK has been doing and where to from here and too look at how the steering group could work better.

Some back ground info

What is a TT?
A Transition Town is a town building resilience to the challenges, and opportunities, of Peak Oil and Climate Change. From Transition Initiatives UK.

What have other TTs done/doing?
See Transition Towns NZ.

What has TTK done so far?
Some of the things TTK we have been involved with so far are:

• Showing documentary Films once a month for the last 2 years.
• A gardening club.
• Creating a local produce directory as part of the 100 mile diet.
• Have had stalls at a number of festivals in the area.
• Created a draft Transition Manual for the Kapiti Coast. See this post.
• Built a Website (you are on it).
• Partnered with KCDC in distributing 2 eco bulbs to every household in Kapiti.
• A team is working on creating a Food Forest.
• Hold a Monthly Seed Swap meeting – Seedy Sundays.

What is TTK’s resources?
TTK has some money in a bank account, has a mailing list of interested people, and a fledgling library.

What is TTK’s opportunities?
Should TTK have a stall at the KCDC Sustainable Home and Garden Show 27/28 March?
Ooooby Market Stall
Develop the 100 mile diet and create a local produce directory.
Look at creating a local currency.

What should TTK be doing?

Please come along and give us your feedback, ideas, input and anything else you would like to contribute.

WHEN: 7:30pm Monday 1st March
WHERE: Paraparaumu Community Centre (next to library off Rimu road)

KAPITI FOOD FOREST
community feedback meeting.

WHEN: 7:30pm Monday 7th December
WHERE: Paraparaumu Community Centre (next to library off Rimu road)

Food is such an incredibly important issue for everybody.  We need to start reconnecting as a community with where our food comes from, learning how to grow good quality food sustainably and teaching these vital skills to our children.  Our food and health are too important to leave solely to others.

So what is a food forest?  Also known as a forest garden, a food forest is a productive garden designed like a forest.  Organic principles are used to create a stable, functioning environment based on the ecosystem and multiple layers of a natural forest.  Species will be selected to harmonise with each other and to fulfil the needs of gardeners.

The Kapiti Food Forest steering committee is seeking community feedback.  While options are being explored for where the food forest may be situated, volunteers are needed to help make the project a reality.  This public meeting has been arranged for all interested members of the community to attend.  Attendees will hear more about the proposal, meet the team and be able to give input.

EVENING FORMAT:
Introduction to what a food forest is.
Why we want a food forest on the Kapiti Coast.
Introduction to the Kapiti Food Forest steering group (the eight people behind this project).
What the community (you) can do to help.
Open Discussion
Supper.

Further details of the food forest project are available at
http://ttk.org.nz/?page_id=217
Contact person: Bena Denton 04 905 6151

Imagine a place that works in harmony with nature.  Imagine a place that provides a sustainable food supply.  Imagine a place that is an oasis of tranquility in a busy world. Imagine a place that will educate, inform and inspire people.  A group of Kapiti residents are imagining all of that.  Inspired by the ideas of permaculture expert Geoff Lawton, the group is currently exploring sites for the establishment of a sustainable food forest in the local area.

Look forward to seeing you there,

The Kapiti Food Forest steering group.

Apologies; Sharon, Isabel, Richard

1. Site Assessments (Gary and Emily Williams)

Mazengarb Site Good aspect and possible integration in working in with the wetland mitigation project.  Good ‘edges’ and contours allowing for variation in varieties.  Prefer the open ground directly next to the car park (rather than the narrower riparian stretch along the stream), which may flood but also large trees would shade housing as on North side.  An overall concept plan defining stages would be best with details only gone into at the start of each stage (this would also limit costs and make sure we don’t bite of more than we can chew initially).

Milne Drive Site Also a good site from a community perspective (good foot traffic) but South aspect a negative.  Flooding occurs on the lower strip.  The rise and ‘edge’ to the higher levels have good planting possibilities.  Could mulch over summer to suppress weeds.  Plant tree lucern (check varieties) and fruit and Nut trees in Autumn / Winter.  Concerns over possible airport roading (Anna to investigate).  Probably more of an over all leaning towards this site from the group, because of its manageable size and central location.

2. Remuneration for Gary and Emily Remuneration would be necessary, with the possibility of TTK stepping in and providing finical support (to be discussed by TTK).  Gary and Emily are less busy in Dec and March (two possible times for a FF workshop, to guide us through the design process of a FF for our chosen site).

3.  Feedback on Community Board Meeting. Ann, Richard, Isabel and Bena attended the Paraparaumu and Rauamati Community Board meeting on 19th Oct 09 to support the Community Gardens Policy.  Bena spoke in support of the policy and also the Jeep Road group’s proposal for a Community Gardens in Jeep Road.  A background document on Food Forests (written by Anna) was handed out to the councilors and a brief overview of what we are doing as Community project establishing a FF here on the coast.

4. Permaculture DVD’s Dan to get receipt to TTK (Andrew) to be reimbursed.  Anna took one of the Geoff Lawton DVD’s to present to Jenny Roan when she has a meeting with the Mayor.

5. Site Visits to Danyverk FF  Postponed for now.  People to individually visit.  Emily Williams to give her feedback once visited to let us know if she thinks the FF will be instructive.

6.  Action Plans

Richard: other possible Riparian sites?

Pam: Contact NZTA to make them aware of what we are doing and the possibility of working together (as per Gary Williams suggestion).

Bena: Council meeting (see above) to relay our site assessment outcomes

Anna: Contact airport people to suss out possible airport road through Milne Drive site?

Next Food Forest Meeting: Sunday 8th November 2.30pm Andrew’s Place

Agenda:

1. Outcome of Council meeting regarding the two sites…

2. Where to from here?  Project Plan and Details i.e. timeline…

3. Dec or March FF workshop with Gary and Emily?

4. TTK financial support for mentoring and plants / costs?

5. Food Fair 5th Dec

6. Other Matters…

Present;
 Andrew, Isabel, Joy, Dan, Bena, Sharon, Anna, Richard, Pam

Apologies; Sharon

1. Site Visits to possible Riparian sites for our Food Forest Fantastic possibilities! The two sites visited were ‘Milne Drive’ and ‘Mazengarb Reserve’.

Milne Drive This site is at the end of Milne drive where there is a culdersack and start of a walking track along Wharemauku stream. This was the smaller of the two sites but still has ample room for our beginning purposes; aprox 4000sqm in total, though not all available for our use due to council requiring access to drainage and piping etc, planting distances from residential housing and planting distances from flooding ‘zone’ of stream. Site roughly rectangular in dimension. The sites appeared to be well foot trafficked with dog walkers, horse riders (foot and bridle path opposite side of stream). Wheremauku stream and path runs from the council offices, past the site to Raumati Beach vicinity so had good potential for ‘expansion’/ replication along either course. A future bridge would benefit site / accessibility. Joy commented that the site appeared lush and was a good contender. The site was relatively flat, sloping down to the straitened, fast moving stream. Clear site, no obvious weeds i.e. grass only. South facing, but open so still plenty of North sun. Obvious water access.

Mazengarb Site A large, open site based at the end of Scaife Drive, adjacent to sporting amenities such as hockey pitch and buildings with potential community use (i.e. educational programs regarding food forest). Estimating 7,500sqm in the main area, this then follows the stream around and joins Guilford drive, where additional riparian water ways and paths have been offered (a long elongated stretch aprox 14-17m across and 500-700m long est). However it was felt that this long stretch was too low lying and maybe subject to flooding, at least the areas closest to the reserve. The main area of the reserve surrounds a pond, which is earmarked as wetland mitigation by ‘On Tract’. Therefore a large area surrounding the wetlands is not for our use, but there is potential to work with this wetland development with our FF. This is especially so as the two will merge in place due to the undulating nature of the site. Some, if not all of the existing trees may need to be retained. Site appears relatively fertile, less so further from the pond area (i.e. drier ‘scratchier’ grass. A positive is this site is closer to colleges (student involvement in FF). Not as much foot traffic at this site? Beautiful aspect and pond / recreational assoc.

Note: with the possibility of accepting any riparian site there is a major benefit and draw back; the arrangement structure is a loose one , whereby our Food Forest group becomes a ‘friend’ of the riparian site and in so doing, there is very little holding us back from getting started pretty much immediately. The down side is that this loose structure gives us no certainty that all our hard wok wont be removed and the site used fro other purposes should the council wish it. As we all know a Food Forest takes many years to mature so longevity and legal structures which ensure its perpetuity is desirable. HOWEVER the general feeling is we need to gain credibility by doing the do and we also need experience and perhaps it is best just to get started and hopefully gain more secure sites in the future.

2. Paraparaumu and Raumati Community Board Meeting Monday 19th Oct 7pm Valhalha. Bena to speak at this meeting in support of policy. Everyone to email Bena any important points to be included. As many of our group to attend as possible.

3. Site Visits Saturday 24th Oct Alisha’s 10am Dannyverk (one year old FF) and Wendy Foxton 1pm same Saturday on the way back (good example of Urban permaculture and very interested in our work on FF). HOWEVER, these meetings will be rescheduled if Gary and Emily Williams can make it down to make site assessments that day. Please keep informed! Andrew to contact G & E and let Bena (to reschedule) and group know…

4. Dean Scott QE11 Ranger Discussed propagating Eco sourced seeds from park Scar Kowhai seed or soak overnight. Manuka and Kanuka, can collect seed all year (always on tree), put in envelope and once seeds burst (tiny) can plant. Can get permit as a group (free) to eco source seeds from park (not for commercial use) Good quality seed raising mix, dampen and throw handful of seed in, lightly cover with dry mix and keep lightly watered (every few days) until germinated (may take months), prick out into small pots, once 1 foot aprox high, put into larger pots, want a good root ball established so has best chance of surviving. A two year process from seed to a small tree ready to plant. Slugs the enemy, keep shade area clean so cant harbor.

5. Action Plan

Richard: Google any other possible Riparian sites for individual visit prior to Gary and Emily site assessing.

Andrew: Contacting Gary and Emily Williams to site visit and assess sites

Bena: Meeting minutes / Agenda. Community Board Meeting talk

All: attend Community Board Meeting (see above), individual tasks as noted in last meeting minutes.

Next Meeting: who would like to host on Sunday 25th Oct?

Another fantastic workshop!

Do away with your lawn mower and your gym subscription, and make hay/mulch for your garden.

On tour with Austrian scythes and trainer.  Coming to Otaki on 13th to 15th November.

Strictly limited numbers - unless you have your own scythe.

Please enroll by November 7th — at the latest!  Early expressions of interest would be helpful, especially if you would like to do the full master class.

Flyer.

Please pass on to people you think may be interested.

Cheers

Gary Williams gary@waterscape.co.nz (06) 3626684

A COLLABORATION ON WATER & THE WATERWAYS OF LIFE

AIM:
RESPONSE and Waterscape, in discussion with Ngati Raukawa representatives, are bringing together people with different interests in water from Aotearoa-NZ, and from the Pacific region. The ‘assembly’ will draw on diversity of cultural, historical, scientific, economic, technological and artistic ways of relating to and managing rivers and waterways, locally and globally. Knowledge about water will be shared, and based on holistic understandings of rivers as veins of the earth’s living ecosystems. The symposium is to contribute to integrative approaches for the health of waterways. Considerations and strategic planning will be cognizant of tangata whenua and indigenous knowledge and aspirations for governance of watersheds.

DATES:
November 5^th (evening) to 7^th – (mid afternoon) at Tatum Park, Levin.

CONTACTS:
Gary Williams gary@waterscape.co.nz (06) 3626684
Betsan Martin betsan@response.org.nz 021 388 337
Huhana Smith makareta@me.com 021 244 8711

Program | Registration

I was so pleased to see so many turn up however being lots more than expected we ran out of notes. Hopefully they are attached to this link if the computer fairies are on my side.

To answer a question that was put forward re: anti-inflammatory herbs. There are a great number of very effective herbs to deal with inflammation however they vary according to where the inflammation is e.g There are specific herbs for organs,   muscles, digestive system etc…. and of course the reasons for inflammation are so many and need to be addressed along with any treatment plan plus a deficiency of vitamins and minerals can also contribute. So there is no one simple answer.

I plan to have another talk around February next year when we will discuss a different range of weeds and herbs and by then we may have a good example of Self Heal. I will have a limit of 16 people on this next one so it can be more personal and everyone will get to see and ask questions , plus I will have enough notes.

A special thanks to Nanette Wright for her knowledge and wisdom.

Thanks again it was a good learning experience for me and hopefully you all learnt something too.

Cheers Louise

Why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?

The Age of Stupid Global Premiere Trailer from Age of Stupid on Vimeo.

Please note the dates at the end of the above trailer are no longer valid.

When:   Tuesday 17th November 2009, 7.30pm

Entry:    Koha

Where:  Kapiti Uniting Church, 27 Raumati Road, Raumati

Here is a poster which can be downloaded, printed out and put up around town, thanks.

So bring all your chicken-related questions! We’ll also have chickens for sale and info from the Kapiti Coast District Council on their chicken-keeping guidelines.

And don’t forget the incredibly popular swap table. If you’re anything like me, you’ve bought a heap of seeds from beautiful catalogues and started planting them all out. I’ve got plenty of leftover seed to bring along and swap. Vege seedlings, cuttings, herbs, seeds, fresh produce are all welcome. I’m always amazed by the huge variety of things we have on the table.

Still seeking community support for our Community Food Forest
Just to point out once again, venue is now at the Paraparaumu Memorial Hall in Tutanekai St.

Entry by donation.

Links:
Poultry Industry Association of NZ - www.pianz.org.nz - Darcy is the President. Lots of good bird info.
The Funky Chicken Farm - www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/thiswayup/chicken - Excellent show from Radio NZ with mp3s & videos.
Transition Towns Kapiti - ttk.org.nz - Building resilient communities on the Kapiti Coast.
Ooooby - ooooby.ning.com - Out Of Our Own Backyards is a network of food gardeners and locavores who support local food and living locally.
Ontoit - Sign up to the Kapiti Coast District Council’s monthly gardening e-newsletter by emailing ontoit@kapiticoast.govt.nz.

Please feel free to forward this email to anyone who may be interested.

Hoping to see you next Sunday!
Anna

Transition Towns joint Submission on Kapiti Expressways Proposal.Submission to NZTA re Expressways - v2 RH.pdf