Photo credit Chay McLaren flurogrey.com
On Matariki weekend, our new Editor at Large, Justine Jamieson, donned her $5 op-shop overalls and boots and got dirty to protect the Kaipara Coast. Re:Generate – a party with a purpose – was hosted at Ariki Estate and Tūmanako Hope, two purpose-driven communities based in Tauhoa, one hour north of Auckland on the Kaipara Coast Highway. The event’s focus was to plant a significant number of trees to filter sediment destined for the harbour, reduce nitrates slipping into waterways, prevent erosion, and improve habitats to encourage native wildlife such as kiwi. Justine joined forces with 100 enthusiastic Earth-lovers for 2 days of tree planting.
The tree planting mission was first blessed by Kaumātua Richard Nahi from Ngāti Whātua. All Kaitiaki of the land, including Justine, greeted guests to a weekend of connection to Papatūānuku and whanau. But this wasn’t your typical tree planting event. This was a party with a purpose, featuring deep bass music pumping from DJs on the back of trailers and farm-to-table food enjoyed together as a community. The energetic atmosphere fuelled the participants to dig holes and plant over 5000 native trees.
The line-up of DJs, including Groove Mantis, Lady Fem, Aquila, Eli Little, Horse Master, Kayliah, Mufasa, and Huilka, kept the vibes high. Acoustic performances by Buster Caitcheon and embodiment facilitation by Sarah Slink provided a nourishing touch, while hilarious storytelling by Darcy Lamington had everyone laughing at his psychedelic art and quirky imagination.
The whole event was powered by the sun and featured zero waste, including composting toilets to fit the regeneration ethos. Under the undisturbed starry sky for Matariki, a massive bonfire blazed and warmed the whanau. The party animals danced until their knees were sore, and until the neighbours needed a break from the music.
Re:Generate is a unique event that combines education and action by day and celebration and self-expression by night. Designed with the highest ecological integrity, it is grounded by the Vibe Architecture Canopies and the Earth Keepers Kitchen.
“Awareness around climate change, rising CO2 levels, and sea levels can often lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Re:Generate aims to combat this by reconnecting people with nature, fostering community, and encouraging a shift from an ego-system to an eco-system,” explains organiser Leo Murray, Sacred Activist, and one of the Kaitiaki of Ariki Estate.
The event seeks to go beyond “leave no trace” by leaving the ecosystem in better shape than they found it. This year’s activation focused on planting out the riparian districts (waterways) of Ariki Estate and Tūmanako Hope.
The party brought people together to rebalance, revitalise, and replenish their holistic wellbeing by healing the Earth. It was a celebration of the cooperative vision of healing for ourselves, our communities, and our planet.
For more information about Ariki Eco-Region, please visit arikiestate.nz.
Re:Generate organisers wish to offer their deepest gratitude to the Kaipara Moana Remediation Trust for the trees, Future Whenua, Why Waste, Vibe Architecture, Ma Earth, and The Biome Trust for their support with the event.
