Create a relaxing time with Kiero
The weather was perfect. A strong wind blew all through the night and cleared the sky, so the day of the workshop arrived bright and calm.
For weeks I’d been turning one question over in my mind: how can I make this workshop fun? Not just useful — fun. That’s part of why I chose Playcentre as the venue.
Thirteen adults came for the day, along with some children. It was lovely to watch the kids enjoying themselves, and to see a dad looking after his baby so that mum could take part in the workshop. That’s what NZ Playcentre is all about!
This is the place where my life as a mother began. So I’m back.
Kiero story has began!
I brought a mini Kiero, showed my slides on the laptop, and did a demonstration while everyone sat and relaxed on the little children’s chairs with a snack and a drink. (I had actually baked a rhubarb slice at home to bring along… and then left it on the kitchen bench. Luckily I hadn’t announced I was bringing something nice, so nobody knew what they’d missed!)
The day before the workshop, I visited the Kai Hub Swap Crop monthly event for the first time, and it was so inspiring. People gathered, each bringing something to swap, and shared a cuppa in a relaxed mood. Everyone talked about their gardening life and went home happy with something new. But it wasn’t only vegetables changing hands — it was time, knowledge, and connection. The host, Erin, is warm and easy to talk to, and I’ve heard many people say the same about her.
Then there’s the Whanganui Repair Café — so many volunteers and talented people coming together, and the group keeps growing.
Places like these are what make Whanganui feel more and more like a sustainable town includeing
Sustainable Whanganui, where I’m belong of course!
Kiero brings a work opotunity in Whanganui
At the workshop, I asked two people to take on a small role for me: one to take photos — those are for my daughter who loves the camera — and someone else to record a video.
Small things, but they help me pass the day on.
And “passing it on” is really what this is all about. I’m already thinking about the next plot for the Kiero project, because what I most want is to share my knowledge with young people so they can start their own businesses. This workshop was a trial run for that too. I believe that is the permaculture way!
I really want to pass my knowledge is Permaculture ethics. I try to live by: care for the Earth, care for people, fair share. This isn’t about developing something new, or making money. It’s about caring for the planet.
Almost every human’s creations become rubbish that never returns to the soil. That’s why we have to think about creating in a different way — not the modern business skills taught in business school, but something else that care about the emviroment.
I don’t have the answer yet though, I do know is that we have to keep thinking about it, and never look away.
Video by Tea’a
