Other stories
Over the past few days I’ve experienced a range of communication situations. Some have been absolutely horrible and upsetting, where I felt powerless and insignificant, and others, my friends have been pure delight. Those moments …
Kia Ora,
My name’s Charlotte Squire, I’m the Editor of www.happyzine.co.nz – New Zealand’s good news website (with a key focus on positive news about the environment). I would like to invite you to participate as …
I have just walked in the door after a night in Nelson with my beloved, and before my head hits the pillow I wanted to update you all on what has been happening. An interesting …
For one moment when I read through this blog today, I was in the midst of a great novel. I was the person in the meeting, being asked to leave. I could feel the anger …
I have been fortunate enough to experience first-hand the value of compassionate action, in an often adversarial eco-political setting. Such experiences come from my clumsy efforts but are inspired by those who are far more adept, and remind me that it is worth practicing wholesome ideals, even when we are beginners. Like learning to play a musical instrument – with practice we improve.
There is a lot of good news with the earthquake that needs saying as its very easy for us locals (and the media) to be all doom and gloom ‘when bad things happen’.
Here are just …
I woke up to this lovely email:
“Hi Charlotte! (No, we haven’t corresponded before, you can stop trying to place the name and email address)
I’ve been a subscriber to HappyZine for (I think) almost a year …
I woke up to something knocking on my window last night. Too sleepy to remember to be afraid, my mind drowsily tried to come up with a small handful of reasons for the knocking. The …
By Sean Weaver
Over the last twenty-five years of environmental practice, I have had countless opportunities to experience and reflect on how to enhance my effectiveness. I have had my fair share of failures and successes …
Today I would like to introduce you to Sarah Ferry. Sarah was a graduate from the first ever Happyzine Positive Writing Course and her debut piece is up in the headline position right now. It’s …
By Sarah Ferry
In 2010 mountaineers removed two tons of rubbish from Everest, rubbish that we see in our everyday lives. But what was it doing up there in the first place, and what can New …
There’s nothing like changing a newborn nappy by candlelight to remind me of the perils of Peak Oil. Romantic it wasn’t.
For a few months there my bedtime reading was Rob Hopkins’ Transition Town …
I write this blog scrunched forward, squinting at the screen in my contact-lenseless state. It’s been a chaotic day of family and animals, kind of exhausting, and heart-filling, all at once. So first – here’s …
Greetings and welcome to the first of my twice-weekly blogs for the month of September. I recently approached Charlotte about blogging for a month about my journey back to living healthily, in part because you …
Along the way, I also began to hold out for more in my relationships. For more joy. For more safety. For more trust. I slowly learnt to say ‘I love you, but I don’t love …
Media Release
31 August 2010
Yealands Estate Wines looking for ‘Art on a Bottle’
Sponsors of the Yealands Estate Marlborough Art Gallery – Yealands Estate Wines and The Marlborough Art Society would like to announce the first year …
I heard the story of these guys a few weeks ago on the National Programme and thought they sounded pretty cool. They’re very busy ‘going green’ and are even hoping they’re the most sustainable vineyard …
I find something inherently comforting about being surrounded by wood. As I look around our little 1940’s cottage I realise how much of nature’s cloak we’ve drawn around us; our wood framed weatherboard house has …
Your eyes are feasting on an array of delicate blooms with their own artists palette of shades and immeasurable incalculable infinity of geometric designs.
How does this make you feel?
Relaxed, senses sated?
This is the powerful effect …
Ok, so today’s great moment was: standing in the kitchen making really bad, highly immature jokes with my flatmate and laughing uncontrollably. There were many more sweet moments today, such as completing another Positive Writing …
I listen in each week to Bioneers – which is an ass-kickingly brilliant positive radio show that’s broad-casted regularly on Fresh FM. Yes indeed, it truly rocks. Here’s the link to their radio shows. They …
Gaibrielle Syben of www.myva.co.nz is offering an exclusive 20% discount this month only, to Happyzine subscribers only, who would like some help to smooth out their accounts.
It can be a challenge to …
Chickpeas (Garbanzos)
Chickpeas, native to Asia, are a key ingredient in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cookery. They’re tan and shaped like a small hazelnut. Chickpeas contain more iron than other legumes and are a good source of unsaturated fats. …
by Claire Chateau
“And after we get the Gold Award…what do we do?”
This was one of the burning questions asked by Alex, eight, last week, as he was reflecting upon the eco-journey of his school, together …
by Claire Chateau
Like me, you are probably an expert at finding reasons why you are not going to make it to the early local growers market at the week-end. Busy week at work (“all the …
I’m just dashing off to watch Grand Landscape Designs on a friend’s TV. Yes! Having sworn off TV for a year (at our house) I’m finding myself lusting after it’s many luscious programmes elsewhere! There’s …
By Hannah Spyksma
Aucklander Robyn Simcock is renovating her garage. As is, it is slightly sunken into the ground so that the roof is only a metre above the pavement. She has pumice, wild flowers, succulents …
Last week I chatted merrily about water conservation, about my dreams to capture more and how to put it to use. A very keen part of the permaculture process. Another principle of permaculture …
While some days it doesn’t seem as if I achieve anything (as the mother of this good news website, plus one gorgeous three year old and one Golden Retriever), actually I do. Even today, as …
Media Release
Eco labels and the right information have mass market appeal
Sellers using eco-labels backed with the right information could make as many as 85% of New Zealanders more likely to buy a product.
Huge numbers …
The good news is that last night, late last night, I finished the second draft of my e-book. The title of my e-book is ‘Ten ways to chillax and have fun as you contribute to …
Come away with me, today we’re going to visit Ro and Joanna Piekarski, of Pohara Valley, Golden Bay. Wear your gumboots, because come the end of our time there it will rain. And you can …
Youthline Press Release
From audio to visual – NZ musicians help Kiwi youth
Hollie Smith, Julia Deans and Riki Gooch have more than just Kiwi music in common.
Along with 13 other local musicians, they’re switching mediums to …
Sustainable Communities
Council searching for Green Street
New Zealand’s Kapiti Coast District Council has announced a competition to find Kāpiti’s Greenest Street. Commencing in October, the competition is being touted as an opportunity for neighbours to get …
By Sean Weaver, 23 August, 2010.
This is the first of a series of blogs that Sean Weaver will write about Ekodo.
Eko (ecological) do (way) is the way of the eco-warrior. Ekodo turns environmentalism into a …
“Over a half-century ago, British negotiators learned the power of silence from a negotiator who single-handedly brought the British Empire to its knees. Gandhi also took breaks at regular intervals, during which he remained silent …
“Dear friends of the Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market,
We’re very excited to announce that the next street market will take place on Sunday, 26th September from 9am – 12.30pm in the West Lynn shopping district on …
I’m currently cradling my three year old son in my arms. He came home from his Dad’s yesterday with a fever and has had a temperature ever since. He’s doing well, it’s funny how kids …
Since my previous ramblings about food here on Happyzine, I’ve spent far too much time with my nose in a book called “Eating Animals” by Jonathan Safran Foer. As the title suggests, it tackles the …

