Our Objectives

We are driven and inspired to inhabit and manage the landscape in a way that builds, improves, strengthens and sustains.

Know your objectives before planning and acting.

Ecosystem restoration and increased biodiversity

As with many areas of New Zealand that have been cleared and converted to pasture for grazing, the land at blockhill was compacted and biological diversity was low. By eliminating further compaction and introducing an extensive mix of plant species we have developed habitat and food source for a wide range of micro and macro organisms which in turn boost ecosystem health, nutrient cycling and ultimate productivity.

Humans have a nasty habit of displacing or exterminating any organism that doesn't provide an obvious short term benefit (with the exception of some native species). We now know that biodiversity is the key to a healthy, functional and resilient ecosystem.

By including and encouraging a diverse range of plants, animals and insects we produce systems that are naturally harmonious and balanced and therefore require less human management and are less susceptible to climatic fluctuation, pest invasion and other impacts.

Animals & biodiversity

Genetic repository

The changing climate highlights the importance of having suitably adapted plant species. Rates of change may outpace the ability for plants to adapt through natural selection and therefore require physical transportation and relocation to climatically suitable zones. Our botanical collection aims to make available a large number of practical and valuable food, medicine, timber and other plants.

Food forest gardens

Peaceful and aesthetic setting

By developing our surroundings in a way that results in a beautiful, peaceful place there is less reason or desire to travel away from the site for enjoyment or relaxation.

Photo gallery

Resilience, nourishment and health

Growing your own food, of having nature do it for you, reduces the need to earn scarce dollars with which to purchase sustenance and also increases control over the quality and nutritiousness of the food you consume. We have worked to create a landscape that is constantly producing fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs. By realigning our dietary expectations with the rhythms of the seasons and the climate of our site we can enjoy fresh foraged meals year round.

Foodscaping Service

Demonstrate and inspire

We want to show that a simple life can be rewarding and fulfilling, rich in purpose and variety. By creating a lifestyle to aspire to and leading by example we hope that others will consider realigning their life course.

Economics

As long as local governments levy land taxes (rates) we will require at least some official money. We wanted our land to fund these charges without resorting to selling produce which ultimately depletes the underlying vitality of the system unless equivalent material is imported to offset the losses.

Over the years we have worked a number of low impact income streams including tourism and accommodation, education and consultancy and plants and seed sales.

Olmec Sinclair

Shop

Be the change

Since 2009 we have been practicing natural living. Our actions and activities focus on establishing and refining a low impact, enjoyable and meaningful existence that works in harmony with natural systems.

Motivated by the converging problems of environmental degradation, over population, oil depletion and climate change, we work to develop resilient living systems with a focus on biological environmental restoration, food production and living in balance with nature.

Educate yourself about these important topics or come visit, learn or work with us at blockhill.

Olmec

Having grown up on a small organic farm in North Canterbury, I have a lifelong connection to land, gardening and ecological awareness.

In 2005, seeking adventure, I left my Wellington life and software engineering job behind and went backpacking through Australia and into South-East Asia. For 8 months I worked and travelled, gaining a new perspective, first hand, on other ways to live, different value systems and the nature of our expectations. Poor, remote villagers always seemed so happy in their simple lives and displayed an evident commitment to family, community and place.

Over the next 4 years I began looking into the consequences of human settlement and our impact on our surroundings as a result of our attempts to globalise a techno-industrial capitalist system. What I discovered alarmed me and galvanised my direction to begin preparing my life for the future I saw coming.

In 2009, My wife and I transitioned from city dwelling office workers to rural, self employed lifestyle entrepreneurs.
Since then I have been researching and implementing more sustainable ways of inhabiting the land and extracting a yield.
I still work with computers to solve problems and have taken that way of thinking about multiple, interacting, complex systems and applied it to everyday life. When I'm not running about in bare feet, I'm in front of the computer building websites. (Someone's got to pay the bills)

Gradually I am developing my understanding of natural systems and how they can support human needs while organising the assorted solutions to share with the rest of my species. I see this as the great work of our time, to reinvent ourselves and our culture for the better.

Olmec Sinclair

Melisa

I am most content when I am surrounded by animals and nature. I've learned a lot about self reliance and resilience since my Blockhill journey began in 2009. I've acquired skills in food preservation, gardening, knitting, sewing and animal care. I love spending time with my Kune Kune pigs, muscovy ducks, silkie chickens, and my cat Chappie. Olmec and I continue to learn something new every day as we navigate our way through this unique and enriching life.

I've written and illustrated 4 children's picture books and they are all available for purchase here on our website.

I also have an interest in health and well being from a natural and alternative approach, and have a good understanding of plants and their various health benefits. Having had some health issues in recent years, I've explored many alternative options to mainstream medicine. I can advise on my own personal approach to healing from endometriosis and ovarian cysts (endometrioma) through a combination of gluten-free diet, plant based vegan diet, herbal supplementation, visualisation and meditation. It took time and some hard work but I believe my lifestyle changes made a significant difference and helped me avoid another surgery.

Please feel free to contact me if you have similar health concerns and you would like further information about my approach.

Contact Melisa

Charles (Chapie) Chaplin

A stray who decided to stay. I mean who wouldn't want to live in luxury at blockhill...?

Blockhill is the eco-living arrangement and rural lifestyle of Olmec and Melisa Sinclair. Together, with assorted animals and birds, they grow a forest garden using natural approaches and permaculture principals.