Hui time is hurtling towards us at a rate of knots!

The planning has been underway for the last few months. The team here at Wanaka Wastebusters have been given the opportunity to organise the Hui this year under the guidance of the CRN Exec.

Check out the Hui page for the rundown of the what’s who’s when’s how’s and where’s.

You can register online, or email the Hui Team (hui@communityrecyclers.org.nz) with any questions you may have.

Tapu te Ranga Marae. Photo credit: Tapu te Ranga website

The Tapu Te Ranga Marae , Island Bay, Wellington, has been booked for the 1st-3rd November 2011 for the 3rd Hui running.
I read on the Marae website that Tapu Te Ranga Marae is committed to the spirit Manakitanga (hosting, sharing, respecting others).
It’s natural organic environment – native birdsong, native trees, rocks and art all contributing to the ambiance that inspires the sharing and learning space that is ideal for the CRN Hui.

Two exciting keynote speakers have been confirmed, workshops and seminars are being planned, the itinerary almost finalised.

We realise that with conferences like this, one of the major draws is the chance to network, socialise, meet like minded people, and build new friendships. It’s not all seminars and workshops.

On the Wednesday evening there will be ‘Dress For Dinner’. A chance to dust off your best recycled shinery refinery, followed by the opportunity to join a couple of members of the ‘FuNkY JuNK’ recycle band‘ for a workshop of recycled musical magic.
In their words, Funky Junk is about:  “Promoting resourcefulness, creativity and waste-awareness, we entertain and educate through our community workshops and bootie shaking beats!”

If this isn’t your scene, don’t worry, there are ample gardens and space to get away from it all, go for a walk, stretch your legs, take a moment to digest all thats going on.

We have put a shout out for anyone interested in being a facilitator for the 2nd day (facilitator training will be given to anyone who thinks they have the skills needed).

This year the Hui is being opened up to people from all levels within the CRN member sites, not just management, also to other non member groups, council and MfE staff and also to other distinguished guests that could learn, share, contribute and benefit from the Hui.

There is still three months to go, but the way this year is speeding past, it will be here quicker than you can say CRN.
Its best to register now and sit back and relax and wait for the date to arrive.

On the subject of community,  I went to a talk about community enterprise this week by Sue Coutts.

It made me feel very proud of the work we do, of the work all the Community recyclers do throughout NZ.

A couple of Whisky barrel houses in the Findhorn eco-village community (photo credit: jenniferhr.wordpress.com)

Growing up in the Findhorn Foundation eco-village community in north east Scotland, both on Erraid (a small island community on the West Coast of Scotland), and the Park, Findhorn, community values were instilled into me from an early age.

Supporting our communities and looking after our environment and the people in it is what lies closest to my heart.

With the CRN you know the support is there and that others are out there all aiming for the same goals.

Going to the Hui last year really brought that home to me. It really made me feel part of  the Network, part of the bigger picture.

Awesome.

I hope to see you all there this year.

Ivy

How time flies when you are having fun! My how true that saying is!

Well, I have to start by saying I was one on the lucky people who received one of 5 free Waste Awareness Magazines that Susa was giving away.  Thank you Susa, I slipped that into the Wanaka Wastebusters smoko room for some lunchtime perusal.
So, just wanting to write a few words after reading the latest CRN e-newsletter.
It’s great to receive these monthly updates especially after making such wonderful contacts throughout the network at the CRN Hui in Nov. It really keeps the connection strong with updates on what hot and what’s not around the country. I definitely have popped the date in my diary for next year and can’t wait to hear what they will have for the line up.

One of the changes was Sue stepping down as CRN Chairperson and Marty Hoffart from Tauranga-based EERST (Environmental Education for Resource Sustainability Trust) stepping up. Exciting news on both fronts.

Marty Hoffart - New CRN Chairperson

Good luck Sue, in your new role with the Green Party.

After having Sue as my boss at Wanaka Wastebusters for the last 2 ½ years I know how passionate she is about her work, also how inspiring she is to listen to. It will be fantastic to know her here as my Boss, and also being able to support her in any way we can on her political journey with the Green Party. You’ve got our vote Sue. .
Marty, I have had the absolute pleasure of meeting both at the CRN Hui and also this month in Palmerston North, where many of the CRN exec were for the Wasteminz conference, and were we for part of our Unpackit roadshow.

Another exciting happening is that CRN has partnered with RCN to develop a nationwide network (RCN e-Cycle) of 20+ drop off locations for e-waste recycling all over New Zealand. Of these 20, eight are CRN member sites that will be involved as depots which is fantastic. Wanaka Wastebusters is going to be one of these depots.
This is a first in New Zealand for a community electronics recycling project of this kind. It will provide an everyday solution that will offer responsible handling, dismantling and recycling of e-waste.
It is going to be great to be able to see, and be involved, in e-waste being recycled in the best way possible.

Its been a crazy few months for us here at Wanaka wastebusters.

The Unpackit team on a roll. Photo credit - Simon Williams

The Unpackit roadshow has been in full swing traveling the length of the country, performing at schools, markets, recycle centres, parks and more…..
We had the opportunity to visit many of the CRN member sites and meet the staff of so many different community groups involved in recycling, reuse, composting, waste reduction and waste education throughout NZ, to be able to see the different services each place has to offer.
It really made us feel connected to the CRN network as a whole, to have the chance to be able to see the bigger picture. Its really wonderful to be linked to so many places and to be inspired by everyone all doing such tremendous jobs. The knowledge that can be shared, the support in knowing how many others are all working towards the same goal. Awesome….

Well, things here in Wanaka are slowing down a little, a bit of time to breathe before the madness of winter kicks in with all the ski fields opening in a couple of months.

That’s all from me for now.
Thanks CRN and Wanaka Wastebusters for all the opportunities that come my way.
To be able to do a job that is helping to make a difference within our community and the environment we live in, it’s something that i wouldn’t swap for the world.
Ciao
Ivy

Well, what a fantastic few days it was!!!

Susa and Marianna did a fantastic job organising the Hui.

It was my first time attending and I hope not the last…….

I have talked to many CRN members over the phone before, rallying up support, gathering information for various projects I have been involved in through Wanaka Wastebsuters, and finally I got to put faces to the many names and voices I have talked to and worked with over the last year.

Photo Credit - Simon Williams

The Tapu Te Ranga Marae is the most beautiful place to hold the Hui, the food was mouth watering. The building-breathtaking…..

It has been built on multi levels from recycled materials, it is set on 24 hectares of bushland in central Wellington, two thirds of it has been set aside for native trees and birds.  It is being restored by collecting seeds from the few remaining trees of the original forest. Over 100,000 seedlings have been planted since the beginning.

It set the perfect scene for the Hui

For making contacts that will benefit upcoming projects, building relationships that will grow over the next year with people all through the recycling industry.

It was definitely really beneficial to be there meeting people from all across the board, from ministry folks and government members, the CRN Exec, to management, through to staff from many different community recycle centres through NZ. To be given the space and opportunity to learn from others, and share knowledge

It is wonderful to see how much good work is being done with community recyclers through NZ

Being at the Hui really made me understand how much of a bigger picture we all are, and how much can be achieved together by supporting and helping each other wherever we can.

Hon Dr Nick Smith came along to the Hui to make the announcements of successful Waste Minimisation Fund applications. (photo credit - Simon)

For part of the Hui the Exec were separated from the core group to go to a facilitated session whilst the rest of us beavered away in the Open Space…
Even though it still worked well, It was agreed after that in future years it would work better to keep everyone together…. joining up all the minds in one awesome force of goodness.

The word on the street is the Exec also all agreed it would be even better next year to have 80-or-so of us attend the Hui (including staff working on the yard, collections, shop, admin etc) rather than the majority of folks who work at a management level.

One thing everyone agreed on was to get more people interested in and joining the CRN Ning site. It is a great place for the ongoing support of projects across the country of all CRN members, and a fantastic place for the continued sharing of knowledge and resources, drumming up support for projects and much much more……

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY……… Get in now…….

Tapu Te Ranga has been provisionally booked for the same time next year, so mark it in your diary now………

Well, that’s it from me, Im off to see what’s  new and exciting in the world of CRN since the Hui….
I hope I get the chance to meet you all again next year.

Ivy

ps: Halima, chief cook and maanaki extraordinaire has asked if we can all visit the Tapu Te Ranga Marae website and add a comment to their guest book .

We have now sent out envelopes containing Hui information and copies of the CRN Spring Newsletter, if you are interested in receiving this information please contact us.

Please see attached the latest copy of the Hui Schedule for your information.

Please note:

• Hui kick-off is 4:30pm Tuesday 2nd November
  
• Final whistle is 2:30 pm on Thursday 4th November
• As you register, please let me know your flight times so I can put you in touch with each other to coordinate and share transport costs ie: taxi or shuttle (or bus) from the airport to the Marae
• Hui location is Tapu Te Ranga Marae, 44 Rhine St, Island Bay (see the map on the Hui page)

Any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Kindest regards

Susa

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