The bright light of sustainable practice
On the home stretch through Canterbury we came across this canola field – it summed up a lot about this Sustainable Practice roadshow – many rich, golden experiences. It brought back into to focus the importance of a deep connection to the land and the importance of a sustainable land ethic as the baseline for sound, strategic decision-making for the long view – a sustainable future for our grandchildren.
Our choice to use biodiesel to fuel this roadtrip was brought into sharp focus while driving through these fields, highlighting that to transition from ‘business as usual’ is a matter of choice. Travelling with Steve Henry, nothing short of a high energy particle in the field of sustainable practice, has shown me that overcoming the barriers is A MATTER OF WILL. With the right vision, planning, preparation and collaboration around ideas that provide genuine win-win-win outcomes, we all benefit, the land included.
By shining a spotlight on all the great examples of sustainable practice in different pockets of the country we gain new ideas, fresh insights, inspiration and the knowledge that a sustainable future is a reality for all of us – we just need to choose it!
The depth of the connections along the way has been astounding, the communities we been fortunate enough to have continued real engaged dialogue have told us they are ready to embed sustainable practice.
This is, in no small way, testament to the vision, hard work and tireless efforts of Steve Henry and the team at the Centre for Sustainable Practice.
The message of this ancient Maori whakatauki speaks the language of sustainability in a way we can all understand.
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua.
Care for the land. Care for people. Go forward.
What strikes me is that it’s message is even more relevant today.
Return to Awhi Farm to meet with tangata whenua
Welcome to Awhi Farm - Turangi Sustainability Centre
Our return visit to Awhi Farm has proved to be the most culturally rich experience of the tour so far – a grassroots action project, practical outcomes, a supportive learning community, tangata whenua involved intimately in the process – all necessary to create a culture of acceptance, forward thinking and a sustainable future.
Nick, a young Maori man talked passionately about his 8-months at Awhi Farm “this has changed the way I think about what I do, about who I am, about myself”
Lisa, tangata whenua, talked about being able to inhabit the land without having to go into debt, something she had done before and was not prepared to do again – the opportunities Awhi Farm provides allows for this possibility.
Bryan spoke again about the Awhi Farm vision of creating a low-cost practical learning centre for young people in the local community.
Jo talked about the profound impact a 2-week permaculture course had had on her perspective and how it had informed her ideas and community vision for Awhi Farm.
The discussion came up around the idea of whether Awhi Farm could be a teaching and learning hub for sustainable practice in the Central North Island –“It already is” was the response. There is the potential that more formalised recognition of the work being done could be credited through the qualifications in sustainable practice being developed by Otago Polytechnic’s Centre for Sustainable Practice (CSP).
Steve and I were provided with the opportunity to speak from the heart about why the new qualifications are so important – John, one of the founding trust members highlighted the need for the new qualifications to be promoted with Maori communities. Strong ties between a traditional Maori perspective of land and the type of sustainable practice both Awhi Farm & the Centre for Sustainable Practice means that genuine collaboration is possible between these unique, rich and diverse communities; united under the shared vision of what a sustainable future looks like for all of us.
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua.
Care for the land Care for people. Go forward.
Enough said.
Awhi Farm solar trailer demonstration
