Land, plant and animal system management

Important ideas and topics for living a resilient life in times of change and crisis

Using nature as a model, coupled with human pattern recognition and forethought to create and nudge interconnected systems toward improved output, lower input.

We are aiming for a low impact, more sustainable way of living and being that draws inspiration from permaculture principals.

Recursive Voices

Details A podcast that delves into the hidden layers of reality and explores the intricate web of interconnections that shape our world. Each episode unravels the mysteries beneath the surface, from the patterns that define our experiences to the unseen threads linking everything. Join the voices as they navigate these recursive layers, discovering insights, stories, and perspectives that challenge and inspire, inviting you to see reality in a new way.

Tags podcast

INFO & Episodes

Weekend Experience

An overview of forest gardening, water and land management,

A personalised experience that will inspire and feed your creativity.

$490 (includes 2 nights accommodation)

Weekend Experience

Living on contour - working with water flow

Water is the essence of life and as such we need to be thinking about how to make best use of what we have. The most important work we do is to implement solutions for capturing, storing, diverting and infiltrating rainwater and runoff. This helps build soil, nourish crops, prevent erosion, minimise drought and reduce or eliminate irrigation needs.
Learn about the art of land shaping for natural rainfall catchment, a practical guide to water harvesting and management.
Make the most of the water available, direct surplus water away from wet areas towards dry areas.
Use swales and terraces to halt the flow of water and nutrient off the land and allow it infiltrate and hydrate the soil.

August 21, 2014

water swale contour

Water wise landscaping More about contour gardening

food forest - gardening the permaculture way

A food forest includes a diverse range of trees, shrubs, vegetables and vines to grow healthy, organic food in a multi dimensional, functional and interdependent biological system.
Arranging plants in natural, beneficial relationships creates a resilient, highly productive and attractive landscape.

Food forest gardens

Food & crops

We all need and enjoy food, even our food needs food. From establishing a backyard garden to a large food forest we can help guide you towards achieving some degree of food security.

Food & sustenance

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

Energy & efficiency

Energy underpins every action and is so fundamental to our modern way of life that we don't even pause to consider how reliant we are on affordable, reliable concentrated flows of energy.
What would you do when fuel becomes more expensive or temporarily unavailable? How will you manage a prolonged power outage during winter?
Having backups and redundancy is one way to mitigate the disruption and discomfort. What does this look like for you? Grow some firewood, store candles, insulate, solar

Energy & efficiency

Technology

Not all technology is created equal. We aim to create solutions that work with natural systems and processes rather than deploying technological 'fixes'. The key is achieving the right balance by weighing the costs and benefits of each technical component.
All technical 'solutions' include complexity in knowledge and parts, upfront and ongoing costs along with wear and tear and eventual replacement. Complex technology fosters reliance on the technology itself as well as on a centralised and distant industrial system for production, repair and support.

Technology

Finance & economics

Economics has come to dominate our decision making. We understand the need to weigh costs and benefits when developing and implementing land use designs.
How would you cope if food prices increase, your income declines or taxes were raised?
By reducing your exposure to unexpected economic shock we can improve your security.