Given that part of the vision of the Kotare Village is to be a
self-sustaining community far outside the sprawling reach of Auckland,
my family and I had some time to discuss the unknown adventure we were
about to embark on as we drove South toward our first Hui.  Naturally we
were excited, but also a bit nervous as we had no idea what to expect of
the outcome from our eight-hour trip that naturally included a few stops
along the way.

As we finally reached Wairoa and then drove through Frasertown on our
way to Kotare Road, the sun quickly sank in the Western sky and we were
greeted with an early Autumn shower.  “Looks like we’ll be setting up
camp with the headlights,” I grimaced to Valery as we anxiously
descended upon the farm.  Once there we were greeted by Nicki who had
popped her head out of her family’s 20-foot shipping container that
serves as the family’s kitchen and lounge area, yet retains all the
warmth of any home we’d ever peeked into.  Her husband Shane, a builder
who’d clearly put some time and effort into the family’s home, helped us
sort out a place to pitch our tent, and we quickly got to work erecting
our camp for the next two days.

The Koanga Institute is one of our primary stakeholders, and a significant part of the economic development within our project. It's hosting an open day on 31st March here at Kotare Village:

   We recently had a visit from Very Edible Gardens permaculture designer and teacher Dan Palmer, Amanda and daughter Ciela. Here's the report they sent us...