Nearly half a year has passed since the last update and although the paper war associated with the creation of Atamai Village seems unending at times, writing about all we have achieved in this period since does indicate a good deal of progress on the land, which is what really matters in terms of creating a safe, sane and meaningful living environment.

Planning by our food security group is progressing now with concise objectives and goal setting being formulated in order to provide a clear job description for the Farm Manager Atamai is looking for. An ad for this key position has been posted on several web sites and will go into the next issue of Organic NZ. So if you know an organic/permaculture farm manager with a proven track record who is up to the job, point them our way.

The Land

The Farm operation continues to be looked after by Joni and Danielle who have made great improvements to the food distribution side, are keeping the garden stall well stocked and are also care-taking the production side. The first trials of row crops this year were successful with most of the produce being taken up by the community.

The last storm has knocked down a good deal of the pines which we were intending to harvest more slowly and replace through more suitable and diverse plants giving us a hurry up with the project. A larger re-forestation project plan is now in the works to see this accelerated.

The orchard has produced a decent amount of fruit this year thanks to Adrienne’s ceaseless care with kids going for feijoa hunts and harvesting expeditions with willing parents.
The winter is proving to be extraordinarily wet and mild. So mild in fact that some of fruit trees have already started flowering (Prunus Mume) a month to six weeks before their normal time.

Village Development Process

Atamai has now filed a final RMA application to complete the stage I subdivision. It caters for an alternative access approach for a number of sections which we feel is superior to the original application. It has been ‘limited notified’, which means a number of neighbours have input into the process and we expect a result of this application by August.

The stage III planning work for the village centre has been slow while Michael and Karen were in the US but is set to get back on track now.

Planning for the implementation for stage II work is all done and we are waiting for the weather to be cooperative with our earth works schedule.

Building projects & Sections

Jack and Joanna’s house is now complete and both are very happy in their new home. Landscaping around the house is in progress.

The building crew is currently working on installing the Nursery building on TeMara. A number of alterations to the existing houses and smaller projects are also under way until the next larger house project is consented and ready to go.

Village community

The last few village council meetings have not been as fully attended as usual, due to some winter ailments going around, a number of people travelling and probably the time of the year. June and July however are looking very busy as everyone is now back in the country and a few parties from Auckland and Australia have shown up for a few weeks or will show up shortly to boost numbers.

The village council is getting pretty good at getting through important decision making processes. We are learning to do this through consensus, and we have developed a Code of Ethics for villagers.

Strangely enough we are having a big show of interest around the winter solstice as well with 8 new parties scheduled to show up this month and next to view the site and sections.
Jo Donaldson as well as Dave Murray and his partner, Lydia, and their children have joined the village and the project team in the past few weeks and two other households are close to making a decision.

Atamai will again have a stall this year at the Nelson City Council/Tasman District Council ECO Fest. Visit us there if you are local but not yet local to Atamai!

Atamai is also planning a ‘grand public opening’ of the first commons area in spring. A date of the 11th of September has been set for the Atamai Cherry Blossom Festival so as not to clash with the Nelson event and the local Rudolf Steiner School spring fair on the following weekend. If the weather is not suitable it will be held on the 25th of September. We have confirmation that the Nelson Taiko drummers Raijin will provide some suitable entertainment.

Business Opportunities

Jeff Santa Barbara has stepped forward with an interest to operate the nursery and preparations to have the business operational in spring are under way at full speed. We hope to grow a good percentage of the plants we require for landscaping, reforestation and gardens in the Atamai Nursery.

Jo Donaldson, who is a qualified chartered accountant has joined Sustainable Villages Ltd to provide accounting services and facilitate the creation of the Atamai Business Care centre. This enterprise will offer administration, business planning, accounting and IT support for all the businesses operating from Atamai village.

Atamai is still very keen to hear from any party interested in the joinery or entrepreneurs for the terra preta, brick production and many other ventures.

Earthworks

A very wet early winter has pointed out a few small drainage problems with our recently completed earthworks for the commons and Lot 10 which have now been mostly fixed. With the changes in rainfall patterns we are glad to have chosen an approach of overdesigning all the stormwater systems in view of climate change.

We are currently looking a purchasing another, larger digger and dump truck to be able to do more of the upcoming earthworks ourselves rather than through contractors. The next months will see lots 1 and 5-8 earthworks commenced as well as a number of roads and two more ponds being put in.

The landscaping crew has made good progress with plantings in the commons areas and we are looking forward to lots of blossoms and soft green leaves in spring.

Organisational

We have quite a few people who’s email address changes between mail-outs. Please let us know if you are changing your address to continue receiving the updates.

Jurgen Heissner for Atamai Village Council