Nutrition  

Dr Viv Harris, president of the New Zealand Holistic Veterinary Society, recommends that cat owners who want to give their pet a more natural and organic meal from home focus on a small selection of meats and supplements. A basic natural cat diet should include a mix of lean beef, lightly cooked chicken, rice and carrots. Cats are almost entirely carnivorous, but they do require some vegetables for fibre to regulate their digestion.

Dr Harris also recommends the following supplements to add to natural meals: essential fatty acids, vitamin E, taurine, a cat multivitamin, and a cat powder made up of torula yeast, kelp powder, lecithin, calcium and vitamin C. Torula yeast is high in B-vitamins and protein, while kelp (and other sea vegetables) is rich in multi-minerals, such as calcium, potassium, iodine and iron. Lecithen is health-promoting for the heart, brain, kidneys and liver, and vitamin E and C are antioxidants required for skin, heart and immune health. Taurine is an amino-acid that is destroyed by all forms of cooking, and is absolutely essential to cat health. If food is cooked or processed, it must then be added to meals as a supplement.

And if you want your cat to have a fine, lustrous body of fur, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from olive, flaxseed, wheat germ and cod liver oil will make your cat’s coat shine. Some cats may not like having these oils, or other supplements, added to their food, so introduce it gradually.

Herbal Medicine

In herbal medicine the leaves, roots, bark, berries and flowers of plants are processed to extract their nutrients, antioxidants and phytochemicals. Recent years have seen a rise in the popularity of herbal medicine, and fortunately, many herbs are safe for cats to use as well. Medicinal plants that are safe for cats to use include ginger for digestion, echinacea for immune support, dandelion root for liver and gallbladder health, chickweed for digestive tract healing, lavender for calming, and garlic for parasites, asthma and immune support.

Some herbal medicines can be used externally as poultices, creams or ointments for wounds, infections and skin problems. Chickweed is anti-inflammatory and wound healing, while comfrey helps to heal bruises, strains and broken bones. Tea tree and manuka are anti-microbial, and can be used on fungal, viral and bacterial infections. Check with a medical herbalist on the dosages required for the weight of your cat.

Emotional Healing

Bach Flower Remedies are a system of homoeopathic medicine founded by Dr Edward Bach in the early 20th century. The remedies are made from extracts of flowers and plants, and are considered safe for humans and animals. Specifically indicated for supporting emotional and mental balance, holistic vets and Bach Flower practitioners prescribe Bach Flower Remedies to animals who exhibit behavioural problems, such as aggression, fear, anti-social behaviour or neediness. Some remedies, such as Rescue Remedy, are even recommended for shock, terror and trauma.

If your cat is appearing restless or anxious and cannot relax, give White Chestnut. If your cat is antisocial around other pets and people, try Water Violet. Use Willow if your cat is urinating around the house, or becoming aggressive. Gorse and Elm help with changes of home or routine, and Chicory helps when your cat is far too demanding or bossy. Well, when more so than usual! Check with a naturopath or Bach Flower practitioner about which remedy would most suit your pet.

Joel Le Blanc is a medical herbalist, NLP practitioner and freelance writer living in Christchurch, New Zealand. His previous writing has featured in various publications, newsletters and websites, and currently Joel is studying towards a BA in English and Creative Writing at the University of Canterbury. When not working on freelance projects or publishing poetry, Joel spends time sitting in and weeding his organic herb and vegetable garden, where he hopes to grow enough produce for the whole winter long. 

Want to read more by Joel? Search on ‘Joel Le Blanc‘ in Happyzine for more inspiring, informative articles.

iD reveals 2012 Emerging Designer finalists

Fashion history will be created and careers launched when the world’s hot new fashion talent show their collections at the 8^th annual iD International Emerging Designer Awards in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Twenty eight finalists from seven countries have been selected to show at this year’s prestigious event to be held on Thursday 29 March 2012, at the Lion Foundation Arena, Edgar Stadium, Dunedin.

Victoria Muir, iD’s event co-ordinator says the iD Awards are continuing to attract international talent who travel from around the globe (including Switzerland, Israel and Croatia) for the opportunity to show at this must-see fashion event.

“For the first time since this international fashion competition was launched in 2005, we have a finalist from Canada, with an even stronger representation from New Zealand and Australia. Every year I’m amazed at the quality of the entries we receive, and this year is no different. I’ve collated over 100 entries from 11 different countries, representing some of the most prestigious fashion schools in the world.”

 Tanya Carlson, fashion designer and selection panellist, says it is exciting to see more menswear collections in this year’s entries, alongside many applicants showing sustainable processes and a greater awareness of the environment.

“It’s great to see an increase in the number of Australian finalists embracing the opportunities the iD Awards offer – including having their collections seen by one of the industry’s best, Hilary Alexander, who I’m looking forward to meeting again!”

This year’s finalists are:

• From New Zealand:
  • Auckland University of Technology: Vihanga Mahesh Sontam.
  • Massey University: Luka Mues; Samantha Murray; Andie Ye Ji.
  • Otago Polytechnic: Grace Averis; Phillip Hawkins; Jojo Ross.
  • Whitecliffe College of Art and Design: Sally Huang; Yun Shin Do.

• From Australia:
  • Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology: Carolina Barua; Allison Bell; Jon Cordiano; Katie Dickinson; Christina Exie; Jane Fuge; Chris Ran Lin.
  • University of Technology, Sydney: Penny Allen; Ben Bala; Kacey Devlin; Natalia Grzybowski; Patricia Kapeleris; Caitlin Murray; Keira Paradice.

• From Austria:
  • University of Applied Arts, Vienna: Tanja Bradaric & Taro Ohmae.

• From Canada:
  • Ryerson University: Yvonne Lin.

• From Croatia:
  • University of Zagreb: Verdrana Mastela.

• From Israel:
  • Shenkar College of Engineering and Design: Renana Krebs.

• From Switzerland:
  • University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW): Julia Klein-Klute.

The selection panel comprised of renowned New Zealand fashion designers Tanya Carlson (Carlson), Sara Aspinall (Company of Strangers) and Anjali Stewart (twenty-seven names).

Prizes include NZ$5,000 for first place winner, $3,000 for second place, $1000 for third place, with other special prizes yet to be announced.

Winners from the 2012 iD International Emerging Designer Awards will show their collections at the iD Dunedin Fashion Show on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 March 2012.

For more information and event details visit www.idfashion.co.nz

My name is David Visser, and I’m from Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand. My elder brother Wilf is living with a rare and fatal motor neurone disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  In his earlier years, Wilf was a top athlete in both cycling and running, representing South Africa twice at the Commonwealth games. At his peak, he completed the half marathon in 1hr 7min. He started showing symptoms of ALS in 2008. He is only 51 years old, with a wife and a young son, who are doing their best to keep things together in the face of this terrible disease.

My elder brother Wilf and I are very close. He’s my brother in the truest sense of the word. As I think about the losses he suffers on so many levels, like missing out on teaching his son great running and cycling techniques, or playing games with his family and friends, I feel a deep sense of grief. My heart breaks as I pour myself out before God but my brother is so strong. He has always been inspiring, but since his diagnosis, he has turned to God, who’s been knocking at his door for a long time. Now my brother is more inspirational than ever, a living testament to overcoming tragedy. He inspires everyone he meets. What more can I say, he’s so cool, he’s my brother.

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS]?
ALS is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. In ALS patients, nerve cells waste away and die, and can no longer send messages to muscles. This leads to muscle weakening, twitching, and eventually an inability to move the arms, legs and body. The condition slowly worsens until, when the muscles in the chest area stop working, it becomes hard or impossible to breathe on one’s own. ALS affects five out of every 100,000 people worldwide and in New Zealand, there are about 300 ALS sufferers. There is more information on the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association of New Zealand’s website, http://mnda.org.nz.

The fundraising project:
I’m blessed to be able-bodied, and feel compelled to do something to raise awareness and support for those suffering this terrible disease here in New Zealand, and in the process, help my brother too. He can no longer work, has a young family, and has had to make several modifications to his home to accommodate his ever-increasing disability.

I’m passionate about riding my motorcycle, so I’m planning to ride the length of New Zealand, from Bluff to Cape Reinga, in three days, to raise both money in support of my brother, his family and the Motor Neurone Disease Association of New Zealand. All funds raised goes directly to my Brother and his family (65%) and to MND NZ (30%) who have shown strong support of this idea. The remaining 5% goes to the http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/fortheloveofmyBrotherWilf website administration.

I have a fundamental belief that we can make a difference in the world.

I have planned the ride for the 4th, 5th and 6th Feb 2012 (Waitangi Weekend).
Friday 14 October 2011
Saturday 4th, Bluff to Picton.
Sunday 5th, Wellington to Tauranga.
Sunday 6th, Tauranga to Cape Reinga.

To ensure the full distance is being covered on my ride, I’ll ask the local police to officially see me off in Bluff and again in Picton, with the same when leaving Wellington and arriving in Cape Reinga.

How to donate to my Project,

1. Online using this link http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/fortheloveofmyBrotherWilf
2. By direct credit to the following dedicated Bank account for this project
National Bank
06-0565-0829326-00
3. By cheque made out to: Motor Neurone Disease Association
NOTE: on the back of the Cheque the project name “for the love of my brother, Wilf’
• Mail the cheque to
o Motor Neurone Disease Association
o PO Box 2176
o Wellington
I’d be happy to take any questions
Regards
David Visser
david.visser@paradise.net.nz
0297724545

Click here to view the embedded video.

Forest and Bird

A Vote for Nature is a vote for the New Zealand we love and want to pass on to our children

In the lead up to the election, we need to remind political parties that the environment and conservation should be at the centre of planning our country’s future.

We can make a difference if we carefully consider the parties’ positions on these important issues and keep them in mind when we vote.

Political parties and their candidates will respond if they know the weight of public opinion supports a sustainable future where we invest in our natural capital rather than spend it recklessly until nothing of value is left.

Politicians had to listen last year when New Zealanders told them they didn’t want mining in national parks and other precious conservation areas. They will listen again if New Zealanders speak loudly enough during the campaign and at the ballot box.

Most of the talk ahead of November’s election has been of the downturn in the economy and the rebuilding of Christchurch. Some candidates talk as if the environment and conservation are luxuries we cannot afford in hard times.

But the economic slowdown and the tragic earthquakes in Christchurch are an opportunity to take a fresh look at how we do things in New Zealand and to place the environment at the centre of a secure future and sustainable economy.

Agriculture is the basis of our most valuable goods exports but rapid intensification, especially the dairy boom, is threatening to choke our waterways with pollution and to change the natural character of places like the Mackenzie Country. Our clean, green “100% Pure” image is crucial as a marketing edge for our tourism and agricultural exports but it is at risk of being seen as a sham.

There is a limit to how many cows we can sustainably support in New Zealand and our future prosperity will need to be based on being more than a supplier of agricultural commodities. In a world trying to get to grips with climate change, exporting coal and other fossil fuels is no answer either.

The destruction of Christchurch offers the opportunity to rebuild a sustainable city with open spaces, room for native plants and animals and good public transport. Christchurch has the opportunity to become a model for the rest of New Zealand and for the world too.

Our native animals and plants and our landscapes are unique. They are what makes us New Zealanders and we must protect them for our sake and because they have as much right to their place here as we do.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Forest & Bird has drawn up a list of the policy goals we think are important for the future of New Zealand here.

Some of these reflect our major campaigns – such as saving the wild beauty of the Mokihinui River from a hydro dam, protecting the unique Denniston Plateau from open-cast mining and the stopping the large scale conversion of the Mackenzie Country tussocklands into irrigated and fertilised pasture. These places are special and irreplaceable.

The policy goals also reflects the pressing need to reverse the rapid decline of freshwater quality, expand protection for our marine environment, and save our endangered species on land and in the water.

Forest & Bird has asked the political parties to commit themselves to these objectives. You can see their responses here.

We can ensure Nature’s voice is heard in the election by asking our local candidates to support these commitments and to state their position.

We should tell them we want them to work towards a sustainable future which protects our environment and secures our future. On November 26, we should weigh up their responses and Vote for Nature when we vote.

Mount Eden Village People

It is nearly the end of the year and the 27th of November is our yearly community get-together, celebrating our path to a sustainable Mt Eden. This year we are inviting the old McDonald farm with ducks, chickens, goats, a pony and a kitten to join our celebration at the community garden.

If there is anything you can contribute such as creating activities and/or games for kids and adults where they can learn about sustainability, recycling, gardening etc… please let us know.  It would be great if you can join us at our community celebration preparation meeting on the 25th of October from7-8pm at the Mt Eden Village Centre, Methodist church building across Circus Circus.

Activities we had last year included face painting, seedling planting, raffle tickets and the sales of gardening tools to raise money for more community fruit trees, a compost game for the kids and a community exercise to get to know each other and talk about your sustainable vision of your neighbourhood.

White roofs have worked for thousands of years in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cities. (Photo: www.obviousmag.org in Architecture)

Progress report from ian Montangees – Founder of the NZ White Roofs Project

I am preparing to begin Stage 2 of the project to start towards the end of September, which will get much more serious, directly approaching and giving presentations to businesses, councils, and other organisations, not just homeowners, about playing a role in this global warming solution.

I intend to start slowly so as to not overload my time, and build up from there with a two-pronged approach. Firstly, of building credibility step by step by having groups and businesses endorse the idea, starting with the easier ones and working off their endorsement to the bigger ones until there are mainstream businesses endorsing it and also some city councils.

I’ll go to the media once some momentum has been built up. At the same time, out of the many contacts that will be made my wish is that there will be funding developed to allow me more time to work on this project, so that I can spend more time on this project instead of needing to earn money doing other things, as I wish this to be my primary focus over the next year or two, as long as it takes to reach stage 3 where the idea becomes integrated into local and national administrations who then propagate it.

So far I have funded this project through my own funds (except for two donations that were much appreciated) and my time, a service as my way of making a contribution to the betterment of the greater good while also it being personally satisfying for me to do. It’s a matter of going forward with a good plan and seeing what happens.

We welcome collaboration and opportunities to spread the word, and welcome initiatives that lead to donations or funding towards the sustainability of implementing stage 2. If you have suggestions on groups or businesses (perhaps your own) that can play a role by endorsing the project or the white roofs idea, this would be very useful especially in these early stages. I am happy to come and give presentations either one-to-one or to large audiences, to help spread this idea.

If you wish to communicate the white roofs idea to people, it helps them “get it” if you mention three things in your opening statement, otherwise there is often an initial silence while people are thinking the idea sounds “crazy”. If they hear these three points they usually realise it’s a seriously good idea and like it.

(1) White roofs is a fast and low-cost way of helping reduce global warming

(2) It works by mimicking the way the polar icecaps cool the planet by reflecting sunlight back into space

(3) It’s being taken seriously and implemented by the Obama Administration

Sign to the White Roofs newsletter.

Contact: Ian.Montanjees@whiteroofs.org.nz

Thanks to the  following environmentally responsible businesses for supporting Happyzine:

ECOtanka

• Eco-friendly –  Reusable for years upon years
• Safe & non-leaching – BPA free (bisphenol-A)
• Solid food-grade stainless steel – Super hygienic & clean

www.ecotanka.com

This baffles me.

Apparently ‘altruistic concerns over the environment have been forced into a backseat role.’  This is due to recent economic down-turn.  As if our economy isn’t just a teeny bit reliant on our environment.

And here I was thinking we were a bright, savvy bunch of entrepreneurs here in New Zealand.  You know, number eight wire and all that.  But perhaps the number eight wire thing is not so much about making the most of what we’ve got, but forcing a pliable piece of mineral into something foreign and bent.

We’re in a bloody good position here in this relatively under-populated island nation where our kids can swim down at the river, and we can eat the food from our soils, and where many of us still know some good places to gather good kai moana.  Do you think it’s just going to stay this way, if we don’t place any value on ‘saving the planet’?

Well?  Do you?

I’ll tell you something interesting.  There are no sacrifices to be made in running an environmentally sustainable businesses.  You may have to change a brand or two, or go to a bit more effort here or there, perhaps reduce the use of a few products and wisen up about ways to get from A to Z.  But the cost of these changes can be offset with the marketing.  Haven’t you heard?  The LOHAS market is one of the fastest growing on the planet?  So’s the organics market.

Sure, it’s easy for me to make that last remark.  I said it so flippantly.  “Why don’t they just sort their s**t out those Kiwi businesses, it’s simple really”.  I mean, what would I know?  I’ll tell you one thing: if we don’t sort it out now, these days of environmental peace will appear pink and rosy in hindsight for centuries to come.  Really, they will.  If we don’t wisen up, if we don’t sensitize now, if we don’t re-connect now – our babies, and their babies will not be very pleased with us.  To put it nicely.

I mean, what are we waiting for? Environmental catastrophe? Or are we waiting for America to say ‘Oh Kiwis!  We love your quaint, clean, green country and you’d better keep it that way, that is if you want to remain friends with us!’

Here’s an interesting suggestion: why don’t we combine a wee bit of foresight, with just a teeny bit of innovation and savvy marketing and commit to becoming a world-leader in sustainability.  I refuse to put a question mark at the end of that sentence.  Why don’t we ride our green edge, just as a model rides on the god given benefits of youth, and build an economy around it?  Let’s commit to casting aside our reliance upon fossil fuels in favour of some very clever, locally produced sources of energy – it’s being done elsewhere right now!  Let’s go carbon neutral.  Let’s go 100% organic and make food treated with chemicals ‘abnormal’ again.  Let’s compost human waste and use it as a resource.  Let’s create living streets bursting with free food all year round!  No this is not utopia.  This is U better wake up and take control now.  Because this is it!

Or perhaps we’d rather wait until things begin to look just a little bit too shabby, and we can’t quite get away with that 100% Pure thing we keep raving about.  And just a few too many tourists go home to their countries and shake their heads about our not so green anymore landscape, business practices, food sources and attitudes.

Why is it that Europe is twenty years ahead of New Zealand in terms of implementation of sustainable living? How come they have whole cities weaned off fossil fuels while over two thirds of our businesses don’t even regard ‘saving the planet’ as worthy of their concern?  I bet there are some really simple changes the owners or shareholders of those Kiwi businesses could make.  If they truly cared.

I liken it to one of those kiwi women who sunbathes every day of summer for forty years and then wonders why her skin went all thin and wrinkly so fast.  She wasn’t protecting it.  And neither are we.

It’s about time we did.

We are a country of the blessed.  We were born lucky.  We have water coming out of every orifice.  Unlike some Chinese people.  Most of us can inhale deeply and feel wonderful because our lungs are full of nourishing, clean oxygen, er … unlike some Chinese people … in China.

It’s already happening you know … the good green stuff.

Whether or not we feel like it right now, we are all being pulled into the green economy.  Why? Not because middle class people are demanding more and more organic bread (which they are).  Nope.  Not because the UK love our organic beef (which they do).  Nope.  Because Eco-Store’s made it big in America.  No, we’re moving into it out of necessity.  Mark my words you young’ns (said the cranky 34 year old who ran the good news site) life will pull is deeper and deeper into a green economy because it will come down to survival.  The survival of our food sources, our animals, our water, our oceans and sea-life, of our children.  So we can either fall into it reluctantly and rate shockingly low on these international surveys, or we can wake up, see the potential, get excited and strive to become a nation of innovative, green: designers, office workers, factory staff, entrepreneurs, writers, parents, teachers, artists and the list goes on.  It’s time to get imaginative and creative.  It’s time to step up, take this economy by the horns and fill it up with common sense.  It’s time to fall back into line with the most efficient operation you’ll ever discover: our natural environment.

Because, in the words of Fred Dagg:

Click here to view the embedded video.

New Zealand has a drinking culture that glorifies alcoholism and justifies behaviours that would otherwise be unacceptable.

New Zealand has inequality that eats at the very core of our communities; isolating the poor and hiding the rich from the reality.

New Zealand has such an entrenched culture of violence that we still find it acceptable to raise children with violence as a form of discipline and remain silent when vulnerable people are being harmed.

New Zealand is riddled with depression and mental health issues that we endorse and promote with our “she’ll be right” and “get over it” attitude.

New Zealand is driving down a road of economic disaster as we continue to rely on the very things that landed us in the mess we are in today.

New Zealand has such a disconnection from our democracy that only half our residents vote in local elections and mainstream political conversations typically revolve around “those bastards” in reference to our politicians.

New Zealand continues to exploit our environment for pathetic economic gain at the sacrifice of the very thing that once made us unique.

We acknowledge our roots by carving entrance ways, singing before an event and enjoying the odd hangi but never truly embrace or place value on our indigenous culture.

And the list continues

All of which bring us to what I believe is a scary identity crisis.

Aotearoa needs to heal.

We don’t experience our problems in isolation but I love this country and I want to focus on our issues here first.

Healing begins with forgiveness but forgiveness can only be obtained by addressing the core of an issue and for want of better words “righting the wrongs”.

Around all of our issues there is a deep and real sense of urgency to address them but we are still relying on the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.

That is where I believe youth engagement brings such great value and opportunity to the table.

In my eyes youth engagement is not a nice addition or a bonus initiative. It’s an urgent and pressing opportunity that needs to be embraced with open arms in a genuine and meaningful manner.

As my good friend Yvonne Godfrey often reminds me “there is no other succession plan” and there are no second chances.

In saying that, I’d like to add my contribution to the “young people are tomorrow’s leaders” notion with this statement- young people have every right, desire and ability to be the leaders of today as well.

That statement was met with a round of applause during my recent presentation to the Global Summit on Ending Corporal Punishment and I hope it is met with equal enthusiasm here in Aotearoa.

New Zealand must embark on a journey to heal our pains and deal with our grievances. New Zealand must embrace and empower young people to take leadership on this process.

Youth engagement is not about pushing from behind or pulling from in front. It’s about walking alongside young people on a journey that we all need to walk.

Our issues don’t paint a nice picture of Aotearoa but with our hurt and pain will only make us stronger in the long term.

To end on a relevant and positive note here is one of my favourite songs by Ruia, it’s a Maori version of Bob Marleys “One Love”

Click here to view the embedded video.

I write this on the last day of my trip to America where I have been since last Wednesday, I travelled over here to speak to the Global Summit on Ending Corporal Punishment and Promoting Positive Discipline- a some what moving event that brought delegates from across the world together in the uniting belief that children worldwide should not be raised on violence as a form of discipline.

I’m going to be regularly blogging on Happyzine and my website johnyodonnell.com from now on, I’m really excited about this because it’s giving me an opportunity to share my passion for youth engagement.

Youth engagement brings huge opportunities but also huge risks, my passion is working with organizations to walk alongside them in co-creating an environment where young people and adults can have a meaningful relationship that is built on genuine motivations and endures positive outcomes.

There has certainly never been a greater desire or need for youth engagement, young people make up a large proportion of our overall population and we are failing to engage them in a meaningful way- this presents a huge opportunity for us to turn that picture around and bring young people to the forefront of our work.

Being 17 myself I have a good grip on what it’s like to be a young person in todays challenging word but equally so I have plenty of experience working with other young people and trying to engage them in various efforts of social change.

You can read more about my past experiences and beliefs on my website johnyodonnell.com

It’s my hope that we can build lots of momentum amongst our communities to really value the practice of youth engagement which is really about honouring young people and all they can offer our communities.

Always in hope and excitement for the potential this movement holds

Mauri Ora

Johny O’Donnell

Happyzine

Sunday 6th June, 2011

Fresh FM Teams Up With Positive Green Writer to Encourage Community to ‘Chillax and Have Fun’ As They Go Green.

Nelson’s community radio station Fresh Fm is partnering up with Golden Bay writer and editor Charlotte Squire to share the positive green message of her new ebook ‘Ten Ways to Chillax and Have Fun As You Live Your Green Dreams’. The new electronic book is available to buy on the Fresh FM website, as a fundraiser for the radio station.

The ebook features interviews with a number of successful environmentalists world-wide, offers tips about maintaining a positive attitude as an environmentalist, shares useful tools for people are serious about creating green projects, businesses or careers, and encourages people to call upon their unique strengths to make a difference for the planet.

Charlotte, who founded and edits the good news website www.happyzine.co.nz, says she’d had the ebook brewing inside for ten years before she finally got around to writing it.

“Once upon a time I thought all environmentalists had to either grow organic food and live off the land, or sail the seas angrily saving whales. I wanted to help out too, but as neither idea appealed to me, I had no idea how,” she said.

“I’m not much of a gardener, I’m happier eating the organic food! But I love to communicate and I’m an enthusiastic person by nature. Eventually, after much trial and error, I realised that I represent one of the millions of people with the perfect personality for green change-making! So I put my writing skills to work!”

Mike Williams, Manager of Fresh FM is excited about the ebook and the opportunity to share such a positive green message with listeners around the top of the South Island.

“This is a brilliant Ebook from long-time friend of Fresh FM, Charlotte Squire. It’s inspiring, challenging and uplifting. This Ebook will inspire and invigorate you – get you thinking about how easy it could be to achieve all the above and have a ball doing it!”

Mike aims to sell 1000 ebooks via the Fresh Fm website, earning Fresh FM ten thousand dollars. This funding will put towards the relocation of their Nelson studio from Collingwood Street to Founders Park, which Mike describes as “a very expensive necessity”.

To down-load the ebook from the Fresh FM website now head to www.freshfm.net and click on the links.

The very first Green Living Show & Organic Expo 2011 where industry experts from all green areas meet to share their knowledge and showcase their products.

With only a few weeks before the big weekend, our team is busy at work to ensure that this event is a success for all involved, and in future years will be the most important show of its kind in New Zealand.

Here comes a little taste of what you can expect:

Taste certified organics and gluten free foods and produce from Matakana Superfooods, Living Foods Lifestyle, Kiwi Organics and many more, be dazzled by the New Zealand made Eco-fashion and be pampered with local, overseas organic and natural cosmetics.

Does increasing cost of living concern you? Slash your power bills and minimise your carbon footprint with Insulation and Solar Technology suppliers at the Show.

And who could give you a better energy, water and material related advice than The Eco Design Advisors? Meet them at the show!

You will learn more about how sustainable performance is great for you, your business and our planet. In a series of seminars and workshops you will find answers to most of your questions.

Plus you will be the first to hear where the mayor of Auckland, Len Brown, places sustainability in his efforts to make our largest city the most liveable global metropolis.

Remember the admission is FREE – why not tell your friends! Head to our facebook page facebook.com/thegreenlivingshow and share the great news or forward this email to everyone you know.

This show is proudly brought to you by Green Living Network and BNZ, with support from EnviroSpec, Soar Printing and New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development and The Green Living Magazine.

On May 13 we are hosting an Open Day at the NZ Clean Energy Centre in Taupo to give you an opportunity to visit the Centre and take a tour. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10am, following which tours will be offered every 30 minutes through till 4pm. Our MP, Louise Upston will be in attendance from 12:30 – 1:30pm. You may arrive at any time between 10 and 3:30 and be taken on a tour. (Please note that this is not our formal grand opening – this event will take place in late June.)

The invitation is below. As you will see, there’s also an inaugural evening concert at the Centre featuring ex Mutton Birds frontman Don McGlashan. Bookings for the concert are essential and may be made through www.41above.co.nz

If you’re coming from out of town, why not enjoy a relaxing weekend in Taupo? The Hilton Lake Taupo – just 700 metres from the Clean Energy Centre on the Napier-Taupo Highway – is offering luxury accommodation to our guests for the nights of May 13 and 14 from just $185.00 per night. The hotel features sweeping views over Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park. To book your accommodation or find out more about this offer, please click here.

If you are interested in the NZ Clean Energy Centre but are unable to make the open day, please call me on 021 728 875 or email me. Opportunities available include:

• Tenancy – limited spaces are still available in Stage 1
• Technology demonstration
• Representation of your solutions
• Exhibiting at the NZ Clean Energy Expo to be held October 14-16. This event is supported by NZ2011 – the government office responsible for showcasing NZ during the Rugby World Cup.
• Participating in an Investor Forum to be held during the Clean Energy Expo

By Marcia Meehan.

My honey bees Apis mellifera, are precious in more ways than one. . . Some people understand that without our food plants being pollinated, except for the likes of rice and some cereals, we humans will be existing on a very bland diet indeed, others don`t understand at all ! What most don`t understand, is the tiny honey bee, which was imported to our shores in the 1830`s, is the main contributor to this vital job, one which it is finding harder and harder to accomplish.  But hey, there have always been enough bees haven`t there ? Once there were, but now there is a huge decline in their numbers due to many issues,  I do believe it has been mainly brought on by mans selfishness, his idea that the bee is here for our use and of course, don`t forget, the mighty dollar. Varroa arrived on our shores around 2000, decimating many hives and putting beekeepers out of business. Many hobbyist beekeepers just gave up, not wanting to bother treating their bees twice a year, but our numbers are on the rise again, thanks to many younger and not so young bee enthusiasts learning about bees, planting gardens and orchards, realising they need bees for pollination !

Honey bees have long been part of human life, providing much needed sweetness, light from candle wax, and most importantly, the pollination of over 40% of what we eat. Up until Rev Langstroth discovered removable frames, humans lived with bees in a fair relationship, each providing the other with what they needed ie habitat, flowering plants, honey and wax.

With products from the hive including honey, pollen, wax and propolis earning beekeepers a tidy sum, things changed rapidly, leaving the bees stranded in a place of disease and illness. . their numbers declining, their health declining, with their ability to fight.. slowly declining ..

We will loose our bees unless attitudes change, food as we know it will change considerably, life as we know it will change beyond our comprehension – sounds abit over the top? I don`t think so, and neither do many other worried bee keepers. I feel very strongly that until many of the established ways of beekeeping, here in NZ and world-wide, change from how much money can be made from keeping bees, to how can we care wisely, working with these insects in a way that will benefit both parties, with the bees being the major beneficiary of our kindness and knowledge we now have regarding the use of pesticides and other chemical nasties.

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Honey bees evolved with Angiosperms, flowering plants, millions of years ago – each supplying the other with the exact life sustaining substance it needs. During this time, bees along with other pollinating insects and birds dealt with many life threatening changes, over time adjusting and continuing to pollinate, plants providing the proteins and sugars needed to keep the insects healthy, the bees transferring pollen from flower to flower, thus continuing the cycle of life . .

So, my plea to all who care for our planet and its inhabitants, next time you see honey bees, bumble bees, other insects in your garden or wild places, think of what you can do to make their short lives free of starvation (plant bee food), free of contamination ( don`t use chemicals of any kind), free of homelessness ( keep a hive, maybe a TopBar hive, in your garden)  – it does not take much effort at all . . .trust me

Marcia Meehan

For immediate release March 31st 2011

Wellington Office Building Becomes a Work of Art

The Market Testament Colin Hodson,  11-25 April 2011

139 The Terrace, (formerly Asteron House,) Wellington

A Letting Space public art project

An entire office building on Wellington City’s The Terrace is to be turned into a work of art, public art programme Letting Space reveals today.

The vacant floors of a central office building will be occupied with its lighting controlled via a live data feed from the stock market. The work will operate at night for two weeks from Monday 11 April.

Colin Hodson’s artwork The Market Testament at 139 The Terrace, highlights, Hodson says, “the degree to which our lives are highly determined by a complex of economic systems that, to a large part, are running beyond our comprehension and control.” The work also includes a live webcam feed.

Public art programme Letting Space (www.lettingspace.org.nz) brings artists and property owners together to explore creative ideas for urban renewal and growth. It commissions temporary art works from leading New Zealand contemporary artists for vacant commercial CBD spaces. The programme was responsible for four public art projects in Wellington in 2010, including Kim Paton’s Free Store and Tao Wells’ The Beneficiary’s Office, which both caused significant national media interest and debate.

As has been reported, Wgtn CBD office vacancy rates are set to keep rising to 15% by 2013.  “We need to engage in creative solutions for the future mixed use of these buildings to ensure a vibrant future for the city. Colin Hodson’s work could act as a conversation starter,” says curator Mark Amery.

Artist Colin Hodson sees such buildings as symbols of an economic system increasingly run independently of human intervention and concerns.

“Many of us look from the outside at these buildings – monuments to the banking and finance industries – and feel excluded from the capitalist project that we were told heralded growth. Within their architecture we still see the echo of that optimism, carrying on without us, regardless. There may be no physical agencies on the unoccupied floors of these buildings, but in the flickering sequence of lights that mark occupation and utilities there’s a code still generating itself.”

Letting Space public art projects see partnerships made between artists and property developers and managers, and The Market Testament is no exception. The property partner for this project is Prime Property.

About Colin Hodson

Colin Hodson’s previous work includes the direction of two feature films, Shifter and .ON., and he is currently developing more film projects. He has exhibited video in various shows in New Zealand, Australia and The Netherlands, as well as live performance projects. He most recently produced a video recording of Richard Gage’s Blueprint For Truth Lecture recorded at Te Papa last year.

About Letting Space.

*  The current Letting Space programme is funded by Creative New Zealand
*  Letting Space commissions leading artists to work in vacant commercial properties, interacting with a wider community, and with the intention of transforming relationships between artists, property owners and their city.
*  Coming up in May and June in Wellington is a Letting Space project by artist Bronwyn Holloway-Smith. Pioneer-city.com will see a real estate showroom established to sell apartment dwellings in a city on Mars.
*  2010 projects in Wellington with Creative New Zealand (and in some cases Wellington City Council) support included Tao Wells’ controversial project The Beneficiary’s Office, in which Wells’ set up a PR company to promote the benefits of unemployment, and Kim Paton’s Free Store, in which Paton set up an independent grocery store giving away food for free to explore systems of food distribution. Versions of the Free Store as community projects have opened since in Waitakere and Wellington. Other major projects were completed in 2010 by artists Eve Armstrong (in Featherston Street Street) and Dugal McKinnon (Willis Street).
*  In 2010 Letting Space also organised a capacity event at City Gallery Wellington:Urban Dream Brokerage, which saw artists and property developers alike pitching ideas for the creative use of vacant space in Wellington city. A number of temporary public art projects were staged in 2010 independently of Letting Space out of this process.
*  In March Letting Space staged a major new work in Newmarket Auckland, as part of the Auckland Arts festival. Shopfront was described by the artists The Suburban Floral Association as an “alternative gardening event”, bringing the established plants and flowers of Auckland suburbs’ into a  new inner city residential area in the form of video screenings, installations, workshops and talks.
*  More information on all these projects and Letting Space can be found at www.lettingspace.org.nz

For more information and photographs please contact

Letting Space (Sophie Jerram and Mark Amery)

sophiejerramandmarkamery@gmail.com

tel 029 934 9749 or  027 3566 128

or Gabrielle McKone 021-373-873

Charlotte Squire talks with www.HomeGrownMarket.co.nz Founder Laurie Mitchell

1. What is Home grown market?

HomeGrown Market is a website that helps communities buy, swap and sell locally produced stuff.

www.HomeGrownMarket.co.nz – the “Community TradeMe” – A Free Place for Kiwis to Trade Their Locally Produced ‘Stuff’

2. What inspired you to start it?
The idea for this type of initiative bubbled around for about five years. It started when we rented a house with a very large orchard, and I would agonize about the fruit rotting on the ground. It astounded me that nobody would take any fruit, and not only did it rot, but it attracted wasps which stung. I saw similar instances where families could not cope with the amount of fruit (and the height of summer – veggies) being produced, which would just be “given to the pigs” or left to rot. Eventually, these thoughts bubbled into “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way for people to swap, trade or even give away surplus homegrown produce to other locals in their community”.

The seed for the website was planted. But it was only when petrol prices increased and grocery shopping became more expensive two years ago, that I spoke to my husband about the idea. He is in the internet field, thought it was a great idea, and promptly built the HomeGrownMarket website.

3. How do you run it?
The website has been set up in the spirit of community projects and as such is 100% free for users and advertisers alike.

Admittedly, the website is a lot more than just a place to sell or swap veggies. Locals in a region are able to use the website to advertise any of their locally made or produced products, such as arts and crafts, handmade goods, plants and seedlings and more. Basically all the great things you normally see at a local craft or farmers market.

Once enough people in an area are using the website, it could be a fantastic mechanism to help build up the local community. The site has achieved much of this, as it has put people in contact with each other.

4. How’s it been starting this site up?
The site has been running for just over two years (it started 1st April 2008), and to be truthful, it grew quite slowly. I haven’t advertised it much as I had a one-year old when I started it, so most of my energies were elsewhere plus I work, so it gets “squeezed in”.
Most of the growth (in terms of listings) came from supportive people in the Eastern Bay and from there it spread to the rest of the Bay of Plenty area, and elsewhere.

Also, there are difficulties associated with listings e.g. winter is very quiet for surplus produce but busy for seeds

Home grown's founder Laurie Mitchell

5. How many people are contributing to your community?
In the case of HomeGrown Market, there are nearly 1,000 registered users using the site to list items.

6. How can people become a part of this community?
People can become part of the HomeGrown Market community by registering. Once they have registered, they will be able to upload their items. We encourage anyone and everyone to use the site, either to view what’s on offer within their community, or to list items they have to offer. People wanting to view the site – or add their items for free can do so at http://www.homegrownmarket.co.nz

7. What’s your ultimate goal for this site?
My ultimate goals for this site are:

* to get people within the local community trading, swapping and
selling locally produced items
* that community groups use it to advertise their meetings and
events e.g. plantings or harvestings at community gardens, thereby
reinforcing the community-building component of the site
* that, longer term, there is a pool of experienced people to ask
questions and obtain advice (e.g. advice on organic pesticides,
recipes for bottling, etc.)

8.What are some examples of listings on HomeGrownMarket?
Examples of listings include someone looking for surplus fruit to make jam, free peking ducklings, someone selling daffodil bulbs, another listing for sale Wood Ear, Tree Fungi for use in Chinese and Thai cooking, Chi Massage and Reiki, someone looking to swap woven torsos for fruit trees/seedlings and someone looking for pea straw. There are nearly 300 more listings, these are just a snapshot.

9. Can you share some interesting statistics about the site?

* We’ve had close to 1,000 emails generated off the site (in terms of
requests sent to and from people)
* In the last three months, there have been about 100 click-outs to
other peoples’ websites, helping to promote their sites
* We are unable to note the number of telephone calls generated from
the listings, but estimate there are many
* On average, there are over 30 visits per day, and of those 30
visits, 10 are returning or repeat visits.
* We have almost 1,000 registered users
* In total, we’ve had on average 1 listing a day over the last 2 years

www.homegrownmarket.co.nz

Through completing their Masters in Science Communication and Natural History Filmmaking, Splashroom’s crew has produced a variety of award-winning films, premiered them nationwide, and collaborated on two large-scale community action festivals. After only operating full time since the start of the year, “the award came at a huge surprise – it’s an awesome opportunity to connect with other business and organisations all leading environment focused innovation around New Zealand” – Guy Ryan, Managing Director. Operating out of Otago University’s Centre for Innovation, Splashroom has a vision to become New Zealand’s leading producer of solution-focused films that inspire action – helping to solve 21st century social and environmental challenges.

Despite the many challenges of running a start-up company, Ryan says “so far the journey’s been really exciting and we’ve had a lot of support.” Splashroom is producing films for a diverse range of clients spanning industry, NGO’s and government – one of which, recently took them to Nepal – “we’re working with Caritas Aotearoa to produce an educational film for New Zealand secondary schools to learn about how a rural Nepalese community is dealing with challenges of climate change.” www.splashroom.co.nz.

PHOTO CREDITS:
From left: Edward Saltau and Guy Ryan of Splashroom Ltd. Photo courtesy of Neil Mackenzie (www.pixs.co.nz).

CONTACT: Guy Ryan (Managing Director, Splashroom Ltd) – 027 485 0941

WHO: Emerging Dunedin film production company Splashroom Media (Splashroom Ltd)

WHAT: Splashroom announced as category winner (Media & the Environment) – Ministry for the Environment’s Green Ribbon Awards

WHEN: Winners were announced evening of Thursday 3 June 2010

WHERE: Parliament – Wellington, NZ.

Auckland’s story is unique. It’s a story that can be told through the dining tables of the 181 ethnic groups that call New Zealand’s largest city home. Kai to Pie recognises the role food plays in family, belonging and culture.

The exhibition uses striking design elements and interactive technology to bring stories of Auckland to life. Kai to Pie invites visitors to travel through a ‘four course meal’ based around four elements – Fashion, Feast, Fuel and Future.

Enter Fashion to discover a specially built runway showcasing past and present stars of Auckland’s food culture: from the faithful Edmonds Cook Book to one of the city’s first espresso coffee machines.

In Feast visitors can explore fascinating stories of this city’s most extraordinary gatherings, including the 1844 Remuera feast, which boasted a menu of 9000 sharks and 11,000 baskets of potatoes as part of a display of Maori might. Meanwhile the Ball and Banquet of 1854 saw Auckland’s Albert Barracks converted into an elegant London ballroom by settlers celebrating Queen Victoria’s birthday and the first sitting of the New Zealand parliament.

Inside Fuel watch a film of Aucklanders through the ages putting in the hard graft to harvest and prepare our city’s food from its fertile soil and bountiful harbours.

The Future section of the exhibition uses interactive touch screens to ask questions about what we eat and why. Discover how New Zealand food facts compare to other countries, and peek inside a digital fridge of the future.

Kai to Pie is accompanied by a full programme of events. This includes the World on a Plate series, which showcases the incredible array of cuisine – from Maori to Mediterranean – available in Auckland. Every Saturday visit the Museum for cooking demonstrations, food tastings and cultural performances from the 181 ethnic groups that call New Zealand’s largest city home.

Keep an eye out for the Trolley Dolly with incredible food to sample and a Family Food Fiesta during the school holidays. There’s also a Coffee Festival, online photo-share and so much more to satisfy your appetite.

Kai to Pie: Auckland on a Plate reveals and revels in what it means to be an Aucklander. Get a taste of Auckland this winter.

I’m also curious to see what an up-market city motel means by the term ‘eco-friendly’. Do they compost? Do they drive electric cars and grow organic food?   Do they use eco-friendly products? The more I ponder the ‘greener’ options that a busy city-based motel must face, the more I realize how many there are …

Owners Jeff and Naomi Peters welcome us, and we carry our wriggling brood into our suite, home-sweet-home for the night. The tour begins and I’m drawn instantly to the small compost bins on the bench.
“Is this a worm bin?” asks photographer Ginny.
“No it’s a compost bin, the local council pick up organic compost each week,” Jeff says.
“Really? The Christchurch City Council have a compost scheme?” I was deeply impressed.
Jeff explains how most guests seem to adapt to using their small compost container, complete with degradable bags (which are called this because they break down and disappear quickly into virtually nothing) and recycling bins quite easily.

Wow. Christchurch has come a long way since I last walked its streets. As well as recycling, they now fling hundreds of thousands of bins of compost into a mega large compost pile on a regular basis.

I contemplate what a large operation that must be – both logistically and geographically. Jeff said he took his kids along once, to make sure they were walking their talk, and he was awed by the sheer scale (two football fields) of the Christchurch City Council’s endeavours. I’m smitten with this idea. And I wonder how many other towns are doing this.

Jeff and Naomi leave us to settle in and I conduct my own tour of the suite. Ah, the bathroom – my personal choice of in-house sanctuary. And this one’s lush. It’s clean and new and I’m deeply impressed to note that the soap, shampoo and conditioner appear to be quite natural, and not in that token fake-natural way either. Later I’m told that the soaps are made in New Zealand, are indeed totally natural, and they get recycled. Jeff even proudly shows me several large buckets of soaps destined to be sent back to their makers in Auckland for recycling. Most guests hardly touch their little bars of soaps, if at all.

Jeff and Naomi (who is from Japan) are a hard working couple whose extra effort has ensured their motel rates number one out of one hundred and forty four motels on ‘Trip Advisor’ – a site where travellers rate their accommodation experiences. I find it interesting to learn that although they enjoy making a positive environmental difference, they describe themselves as more ‘middle of the road’, rather than ‘greenies’. They say being more environmentally efficient reduces their overall costs, is in line with industry standards (such as Qualmark) and makes a great impression with their customers.
“You wouldn’t say the majority of people expect it at the moment. [But] people appreciate it when they find it. They don’t expect it, but they’re happy to see it,” Jeff said.

The couple and their children moved to New Zealand two years ago, after spending twenty years in Japan. There, environmentalism wasn’t an option, it was a necessity.

“When we lived in Japan there was quite a big emphasis on recycling and reusing everything, so we put the effort into getting as much recycled over there as we could … when we came over here it was a natural flow on to be able to do that kind of thing,” Jeff explained. “It’s just that the world that we live in is kind of limited so it’s a case of how can we get on and make it work a bit better. In New Zealand it’s very strange because we’ve got a massive land mass with only four million people in it and if you go to Japan they’re not self-sufficient in food, they’re not self-sufficient in energy. They’ve got one hundred and twenty million people in the same size as New Zealand so it really makes you wonder. In New Zealand we say we’re clean and green but really are we? You’ve got to do something, [even if you start off small], like our cute little plastic box. People like getting that and we’ve done the explanation thing, on the official Christchurch website.”

Here in our luxurious motel room, they’ve installed key card controlled electricity switches so that we only use power when we’re in the room. I note they’ve decked the rooms out with energy efficient light bulbs, inside and out.

Also, they make a point of inviting guests to re-use their towels, rather than change them daily as is usual practice. I later find out that just this measure alone, saves hundreds of litres of water per month (they know this because they go to great lengths to measure the amount of towels they’re no longer washing), as well as a considerable amount of power.

A multitude of other small actions stack up to make a difference including dual flush toilets, regularly cleaning the clothes dryer filter, drying laundry outside as often as possible, using only cold water in the washing machines, and taking care to explain to guests how to walk (rather than drive) to nearby city attractions.

I’m beginning to realise that until recently within the accommodation industry, the term ‘luxury’ wasn’t always synonymous with environmental efficiency. While at home many of us would reuse a towel without thinking twice, here in this up-market motel, having your towels changed each day is part of the service, but opting to re-use them is welcomed. Naomi and Jeff are managing to massage in a range of new behaviours that barely affect customers, yet really make a difference.

I’m interested to know more about the ‘word’ that’s trickling down from the industry’s quality control agencies about the importance of sustainable practice.

Says Jeff:
“Qualmark is really pushing the green stuff at the moment; they’ve got their Qualmark Gold, Silver and Bronze. Last year we were invited to apply for the Silver status, we’re just in the process now of going for it. You’ve really got to be on the ball and be doing lots of things to get it. You get so many points for each thing. To get Silver … it’s the monitoring of what’s going in and out of your place … they’re not saying you’ve got to reduce, reduce, reduce; they’re saying you’ve got to be aware of what’s happening, so that if there is a chance that you can reduce something somewhere, then do it. Or if there’s nothing to be done. That’s fine.”

And what does it take to reach Qualmark’s Gold standard?
“If we had a stream running through our property with enough water flowing through to run an electric generator, etc, we’d be considered. Basically, with the size of the property we have, we don’t have enough options. Maybe if we were to put solar panels all over the roof … and went totally that way then we’d get Gold. There are places who have more options to exercise and they’ve got Gold, but it’s not so easy in the city.”

This couple have created a comfortable, up-market and eco-friendly motel experience in Christchurch. It’s plain to see how they’ve reached such high standards – their attention to detail (much of which is apparently owed to Naomi’s Japanese heritage), combined with their welcoming and relaxed manner as hosts were certainly very appealing to me. I’d seriously consider returning.

If you’d like to stay at CentrePoint on Colombo and meet the hosts personally, whilst experiencing some of Christchurch’s best restaurants and entertainment, here are their contact details:
CentrePoint on Colombo
859 Colombo St.
Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
Reservations freephone 0800 859 000 (NZ only)
Ph. 64 3 377 0859
Fax 64 3 377 1859
info@centrepointoncolombo.co.nz

Time and time again I hear it: “Eco-fashion is way too expensive!” But is it? Let’s pull back the curtains and take a quick look at what goes into producing conventional vs eco garments. I think understanding the skill, time and energy that goes into the things we buy makes us value them a little more.

We all love to look beautiful and for most of us we are trying to figure out how to do that on a budget. When times are tight, the lure of those cute, trendy tops for $30 at Glassons or Supre can be overwhelming.

But let’s look at the bigger picture. The amount of labour and energy that goes into each conventional garment we buy is kind of staggering. The crop is planted, nurtured, harvested. Then the raw material goes to a factory where it’s processed and spun into yarn. The yarn is usually then taken to another factory where it’s woven into fabric, sent to a dye mill where it is dyed and possibly finished.

It’s sold to a manufacturer who must design, draft and grade patterns, create samples to test for fit and performance, cut and sew the garments, market, finish pack and ship. At each stage there are ordinary people who need to be paid for their labour and the cost of the raw materials. So, if we are paying $30 for a top, are the workers throughout the supply chain being paid a fair price?

The sustainable fashion movement is growing, but it is still very niche – it makes up a tiny part of the industry worldwide. To begin with, often the raw materials are more expensive. The cotton grower makes a significant investment of time and money transitioning from a conventional to an organic crop. Raising sheep on organic pasture is more expensive than feeding them the non-organic option.

Processing raw materials in a responsible manner often means that the mills and dye houses will need to alter existing machinery or buy new machinery and add new waste treatment facilities. In order for worker conditions to improve all along the supply chain, a factory’s cost of doing business will increase.

Because the demand for eco-fashion is still a small proportion of the industry as a whole, they are often being made by smaller producers or they are a small part of a larger company’s production. Designers who decide to keep production local are making a conscious decision to support local industry, wages and health and safety requirements which also pushes up cost.

Though it may cost us more to buy a hemp/silk dress than one made of conventional cotton, I think we can take some pride that a little portion of each of those dollars is paying a factory worker a better wage, or helping a factory treat the waste from their factory.

Expensive or fair? What do you think?

And just to add my little plug here at the end – If you have the urge to treat yourself or someone else with some beautiful eco-fashion threads, visit The Thread Loop. As a Happyzine reader, you’re entitled to a 15% discount off anything in store just by entering the code HAPPYSHOPPER when you check out.

Jo Blundell – Founder/Director

www.thethreadloop.com

On May 6 at Adam Auditorium City Gallery Wellington at 6pm (free entry) in a local twist on the likes of TV’s Dragon’s Den, three artists and then three property developers and managers will pitch their creative ideas for urban private spaces to a panel of their opposite.

While the Wellington urban environment continues to grow in terms of residency and facilities, commercial retail business faces severe challenges.

As lovers of the city wishing to ensure vibrancy, this challenge to come up with submissions and the accompanying documentation and forum evening are the crucial first icebreaker between art and property worlds, which may assist in brokering more creative uses of vacant inner city commercial space.

The Urban Dream Brokerage is being held with support from: City Gallery Wellington