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.

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

By Suzi Franks
Last week I told you about the wonderful world of edible flowers and Charlotte has asked if I could pick some of my favorites and tell you about them.. I said ‘Of course …

It all started in early autumn.  I cycled past a garage sale, and spotted what looked like a solar panel on the lawn.  It couldn’t be – could it?
I’d always harboured a secret desire to …

Hikurangi Foundation
Media statement
For release: 19 August 2010
Residents have their say on “Taxi-bus”
Warkworth residents are being surveyed on a Taxi-bus service to see if this could be a solution to the lack of public transport in …

I check the weather online almost as often as I check my email. Not that it changes anything- we’ll still get weather. So it seems almost ironic, in a very long wet winter, …

It would be easy to become dis-heartened if you work in the sustainability field in New Zealand.  Although the National party has introduced an emissions trading scheme, it is gutless, and won’t in any meaningful …

Gardening is all about planning and permaculture is no exception to that rule. Despite having a degree in Making It Up As You Go Along, when I garden I need to have a convincing …

By Suzi Franks
There is something inordinately beautiful about a flower, maybe it’s the way the sun reflects the colors of the petals or perhaps it’s the delicate artistic individuality of each variety.
I’m not sure what …

Despite never having actually owned my own garden I had been secretly practicing the principles of permaculture, left and right and all over the world, for years- but not knowing it.  I was like many …

Where to Get Chickens
You can buy “point of lay” chickens (teenagers about to start laying) from many battery chicken farms, Trademe, or ask around to find local breeders. The price of purebred chickens will start …

A good thing for any organisation to do from time to time is review the management of any waste that is produced in the course of the day to day operation.  In this …

Picture if you will a vegetable garden bed brimming with lush, tender produce. Beautiful, even in your imagination isn’t it?
But, what if I told you that this picture could be your reality come late spring …

A challenge that all organisations face is reporting results to their stakeholders.  Embarking on the sustainability journey presents new facets to that challenge.
The old adage that you “cannot manage what you cannot measure” is a good …

Food is my greatest love. You might think it would be my darling partner, my wonderful family or my long-dead cat. No, it’s food. I love nothing more than food. And not just the eating …

By Brodie McCulloch
Bike Sharing has become one of the primary forms of inner city transportation in many cities around the world. It allows local residents, business commuters and tourists to make short trips around a …

By Suzi Franks
Imagine lime green cauliflowers, white carrots and red Brussels sprouts. Or how about black tomatoes or lime green ones with dark green stripes or sweetcorn kernels that are all the colours of the …

By Happyzine Sustainable Design columnist – Lee Barry, Wellington, New Zealand
Water, aqua, H2O. Call it what you like, it’s essential to life on Earth and – as I discussed last week – to human survival.
Its …

The recycled envelope hanging out of my letterbox told me already that this was the package I was waiting for.  My Permaculture Design Course handbook had arrived.
When I was 14 I decided to become a …

Although I’ve already written a few blogs, I suddenly realised that I hadn’t actually taken the time to provide a definition of sustainability. So, before we go any further, let’s define the term. …

This article was originally published by the American website: yes! This article is by …

Did anyone else get the needs v’s wants lesson early in childhood? I must have been no more than six or seven. The teacher had us say what we thought was a “want” and what …

If you’ve made a personal commitment to behave more sustainably then you’ve probably started making changes in your life.  You’ve already changed your light bulbs to compact fluorescent, you’ve started taking the bus instead of …

Introducing the Kiwi woman who is on a quest for organic self-sufficiency – Susie Franks …

When I am unable to connect with my land for a few days, I feel as though a ‘piece of …

Introducing Lee Barry.  Wellington based Lee is our new sustainable design blogger.  Check out her inspiring words about advertising, design, stuff and life as it could be …
The year is nineteen ninety something or other. …

If you live in the ‘wops’ you’re lucky as you can keep as many chooks as you wish. Don’t despair the rest of use who live cheek by jowl in urbania, can still keep some …

For the hobbyist beekeeper, the winter months tend to be a time to reflect, read and maybe come up with a brilliant idea or two! I am not very good on the `ideas` front, but …

Why Chickens?
Chickens are the new black in Green Urban Living. Once you have read the  following I’m sure you will be racing out to get your own feathery flock!
Tasty, Rich, Nutritious Eggs
As Kiwis we love …

Ahhh Golden Bay.  The hidden green valley.  To get there you’ll need to cross the marble mountain in the north west corner of the South Island, Aotearoa/New Zealand.  There are thousands of ecologically wise people …

NIWA media release
NIWA’s Chief Executive John Morgan, welcomes plans for the aquaculture industry regulatory reform announced by Phil Heatley, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture. Cabinet has agreed to a range of amendments that will …

Honey bees snuggle-up during the colder months, they don`t actually hibernate like bears do, but gather into a ball-shaped mass close to the stored honey and pollen that they have collected, (supposedly plenty has been …

This is the second in a series by Charlotte Squire on Sustainable Environmentalism.
Go on, enjoy the process! You deserve to feel good while you create an exciting environmental future
I’ve got news for you: it’s O.K. …