A Taste of Honey – Literally!

Posted by on Dec 11, 2011 in To See | 0 comments

A hive of “placid” bees from Italy enabled two local space-suited Earthlings to remove the swarm from the walls of a maintenance shed and into more appropriate quarters near the driveway gardens.

Yes, if you look closely you may just guess Erin is the cautious but enthusiastic trainee bee-keeper to the right.

With the guidance of Marcello, a local apiarist, Erin took her first hands-on steps as Kawai Purapura’s new queen bee.

Moving the bees resulted in a large sample of raw honey being available to residents on site at the time. Those who sampled the fresh and tasty delicacy claimed to feel invigorated and refreshed after just a few minutes!

It was interesting to learn that bees are quite hardy when it comes to hive moves. They will forage up to a 5 km radius, although they stay close to the hive if there is a plentiful supply nearby of flowers with high nectar. Pohutukawa and Manuka are favourites for bees if nearby, and Manuka honey is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Here’s wishing Erin the best of luck with her new hobby.

Making Light of Heavy Work

Posted by on Dec 11, 2011 in To Do | 0 comments

The twin needs of lumber clearing and laying in stores of firewood for the winter took large steps forward recently. With the aid of a Chopper wood splitter and tractor with trailer, the hills rang to the sounds of a team of WWOOFers and residents.

There are approximately 16 good wood-burning “appliances” around Kawai Purapura (surprised me, too) according to Tony O’Brien and the stores of split logs are now back to a healthy level.

LumberJack (sorry) and Matilda hard at work on the Chopper!

Questiontime – Newcomer’s Corner

Posted by on Dec 1, 2011 in To Connect | 0 comments

Name: Tira Cole

A little about you: Will be a student next year.

Why are you in NZ? It’s home but I plan to travel one day.

How did you hear about Kawai Purapura? TradeMe.

Special Interests? Environment, natural health.

How long might you stay? It all depends.

What’s next? Studying Biodiversity Management next year.

Can we use a photo? Yes.

Hungry Creek Graduates Deck The Walls …

Posted by on Dec 1, 2011 in To See | 0 comments

From left: Caroline, Tamar, Jessica, Natalie, Debbie, Brigette, Catherine (and, just sneaking in, one proud son).

The students and staff at the on-site Jewellery campus of Hungry Creek held their graduation ceremony and prize giving last weekend. A wide range of the work from the year was also on display at the studio, which we feature below.

Catherine Randall, year 2 "best student"

As well as Kawai Purapura, Hungry Creek Art & Craft School have another campus at Puhoi. Their courses include Certificates and Diplomas from level 4 to level 6, spanning three years, plus the Advanced Diploma at level 7.

Catherine Randall, detail

The courses on-site are practical, with most of the time spent in the workshop. Students learn traditional and contemporary making and design skills.

Jessica Gillespie, year 1 "best student"

Shane Hartdegen, the Head of Department for Jewellery, explained that students are encouraged to work with a variety of materials and, just as important, to become comfortable with experimenting with designs and concepts.

Jessica Gillespie, detail

The curriculum exposes students to a varied yet inter-related study program. The aim is to give each student the skills to enter the industry either as a jewellery designer, manufacturing jeweller, or self employed studio jeweller. There is also the opportunity to go onto further study.

A Reiki Resolution – New Year Energy

Posted by on Dec 1, 2011 in To Do | 0 comments

“Enhance your well-being and vitality!” That sounds as good a new year resolution as any, as well as a great plan for any time. One way is to experience the benefits of Reiki in mid-January 2012, right here at Kawai Purapura.

Sandra Daubney

Reiki is based on the observation that our bodies have an inbuilt predisposition towards health and well being, towards balance and harmony. Sandra Daubney explains: “We all have healing ability. Reiki simply enhances that ability.”

We all know that perceptions flow in all the time, and Reiki goes one step further to say our perceptions create our experiences. For example, our natural flow of energy is blocked when we experience stress. As Sandra says, “These energy blockages warn us that something in our life is not working. We can be proactive and change the cause or ignore it.”

Sandra adds that when we are without fear, worry or anger – when in harmony – then life flows and we perceive the beauty and the potential. On the other hand, when we worry or react to our expereinces with anger, then life constricts – we see less of the “good” and more of the “bad”.

For more details on Sandra’s Start 2012 With Reiki go to http://www.reikigaia.com/

Auditorium Project Begins

Posted by on Nov 30, 2011 in To See | 0 comments

Work has begun on the new outdoor auditorium, situated adjacent to the orchard area on the south slope of the valley at Kawai Purapura.

Jenny explains: “This will be an awesome outdoor venue for the community, with plans to build a gigantic outdoor picnic table shortly.”

Day 1 - industrial magic makes light of the task

Community workers (from P.D.) assisted with the preparation of the area, levelling and raking for grass seeding.

Day 2 - many hands made light work of the levelling and seeding

Agnihotra At Kawai Purapura

Posted by on Nov 30, 2011 in To Do | 0 comments

Agnihotra is a healing fire from the ancient science of Ayurveda. The term describes a process of purifying the atmosphere when performed at sunrise and sunset daily. 

Interested community members gathered at Rangimarie recently to see Agnihotra in action. Based on the sunrise and sunset rhythm, Agnihotra is referred to as an ancient science, given in Sanskrit language at the time of creation. Sanskrit is not described as a mother tongue but rather as a language of vibration.