Here – Us – Now !

What are we doing in Wanaka, that is leading us towards a sustainable future? This is not an exhaustive list, rather what I practise.

Fabulous WAO Summit and many initiatives. A privilege to have such a powerful team in Wanaka.

WAI Wanaka for all water and land regeneration subjects, awesome mahi!

Shaping our Future – For all of us to contribute to the QLDC district future. What is important to us. What is our vision. How do we get there…

Wanaka Wastebusters of course and cousin Plastic Free Wanaka

Regenerative Wanaka facebook group

Mount Aspiring College Sustainability Club that I facilitate since 2009. Check out the awesome resource for teens and teachers (and everyone really!) list -dated but a lot still relevant

Upper Clutha Trading Post, a Facebook group to swap, sell, ask… locally (on invitation) and Upper Clutha Community Notices to advertise what’s going on.

Local/organic Food

Local Food Wanaka, an informal local group of people working towards relocalising food in the Upper Clutha region. The main event is the Great Apple Drive organised every year in April. There are lots of projects which need lots of hands so get involved!

Wanaka Farmers and Gardeners Market, every Thursday from 4pm near Bullock Creek and Speight’s house in winter, on Pembroke Park in summer, mostly local, organic, and cheap!

TO UPDATE

Central Foragers Map – Find wild and free food in our area and contribute on  Google map

Aspiring Organic new online and delivery organic grocery, also open 81 Black Peak Road-Wanaka every Thursday from 10am to 6pm

Rippon Vineyards bio-dynamic wines and much more in an awesome scenery!

Organic express 14 Loach Road, Hawea flat, tel+64 (0)3 443 1116

Nature restoration

Te Kakano, community native plants nursery, volunteer hours Tue & Wed, 1pm-4pm and week-end tree planting sessions

Central Otago Forest and Bird organises talks, trips and volunteer days.

Lindis Pass Conservation Group organizes volunteer days to clean and weed awesome Lindis Pass reserve. Enquiries Anne Steven; Ph. 034436766,  a.steven@xtra.co.nz

Transport – to update

Lots of new bike lanes around. Let’s use them, we’ll get more, we get fitter and we save petrol. Good Rotations in Wanaka is doing an awesome job to promote the biking culture.

Upper Clutha Renewable Transport Society is setting up a Biodiesel facility. Here is a Powerpoint presentation that explains the project or in .pdf format. Find out more on Wanaka Biodiesel Facebook page

WanaRide is an organised hitch-hiking scheme, signalling 5 waiting points in Wanaka, Albert Town, Hawea Flat, Lake Hawea and Luggate. Well, this used to exist, with poles and signs, which over time have been removed… Anyone up to revive it?

There used to be a Grab-a-Ride free listing service on Radio-Wanaka website where you can plan to share one-off and regular trips, but it’s gone too… Some car share offers turn up on the facebook community notices page. Do you know of any other source?

Energy – to update

Alpine Light & Power, Contact: 03-443 7167 43 Hunter Cre Wanaka 9305, Solar Panels

Grid Tied Solar (GTS) 3/12 Frederick St Wanaka 9381, 03-443 8403

ABW electric http://www.abwelectric.co.nz/ Based in Chch, can install solar on or off-grid on houses and businesses

Gerard Roofs, Contact: 0800 104 868 Skylights

Building

Built4U, Shaun Collins, builder,  http://built4u.co.nz/ PO Box 59, Wanaka 9343, New Zealand | shauncollins@built4u.co.nz | ph 64 3 443 1618, healthy and energy efficient home

Strawmark,  Alan & Karin Cameron, Phone: +64 3 443 7736, email: info@strawmark.co.nz, Wanaka, http://strawmark.co.nz/ Straw bale construction

Down to Earth Building, Lake Hawea, phone: + 64 3 4436203 email: dtebuilding@gmail.com Rammed earth buildings, http://www.downtoearthbuilding.co.nz/

Please leave a comment if you know of any other related  initiative or business.