The GARBAGE WARRIOR wants to build an Earthship in NZ!

Hi Jeanette,

You can buy the DVD online from their website earthship.net and equally I would suggest you contact them (Jonah) and ask about permission to publically screen it.  I am not sure that they own the rights to the movie, so it may not be up to them, but I'm sure they'd know.  I'd hope that people would be reasonable about that kinda thing for the sake of the Greater Good.

FYI - there is an Earthship project in Oamaru that is starting to go through the planning process.  I think they expect to start ramming tyres next spring/summer.

Cheers

Rob

Hi Suss,

Mike Reynolds' "Earthship Biotecture" is indeed a business. There is also "Earthbuilds Europe" which is another experienced Earthship building business.

***Rest assured, Earthship NZ and the earthship.co.nz website that I set up is a not for profit project. I am committed to improving the accessibility to Earthships in NZ and throughout the world so it is not governed by financial means.***

We witnessed the destruction of the tsunami in Samoa and Tonga. Now we watch the NZ government ship tonnes of conventional building materials and specialised plant operators, to replace the destroyed buildings with buildings of the same design. I hope in the future when the next catastrophe inevitably strikes the Pacific, we could send a few experienced Earthship builders to build better, more survivable and efficient buildings from existing waste in situ. As well as equipping locals with the low level skills needed to complete the majority of an Earthship, rather than shipping tonnes of plant, diesel and specialist operators.

I would just like to add that building an Earthship is approached in a similar manner to building a conventional house. To that end there is a need for architectural services, engineering consultancy, staging and project management, as well as qualified trades people. There is nothing wrong with engaging with businesses to build an earthship. However I so often have to retreat from conversations when talking to NZers about my passion for Earthships, as they often get very animated when they finally 'get it' and start talking about the 'business opportunities' to make us all rich. They don't get it. Earthships are about building relationships and communities alongside the physical building itself. Buildings should take a lot of physical effort, they should take their time and they should see a lot of love, sweat and tears poured into it. Unfortunately the commodity housing that surrounds us today contains none of that, as well as none of the performance properties we need in housing in todays climate changing, peak oil environment.

cheers
Rob

ps. I have just returned to live in NZ after 11 years in the UK. I hope to pick up the pace with moving earthships forward in NZ, so please keep an eye on the earthship.co.nz website and know that any advertising will only be to defray costs of the project which I am currently funding entirely myself.

Hi Shaun,

I have already spoken to someone in Motueka that has land that could be used to build a demonstration building for building code approval. In addition to Earthship Biotecture in New Mexico, there is also Earthbuilds Europe who have projects trhoughout Europe and a couple called the Potters in Canada/North America who also use a team to build Earthships. All I'm saying is don't think there is only one way of getting Earthship building experience. I would like the chance to get people together to work out what the first objectives for Earthships NZ should be eg. funding/grants to fly a practitioner out or a demo project etc.
I may well be working up in Wellington from November so there is a high chance of organising a get together.
Keep an eye on the Earthship NZ (earthship.co.nz) website for updates.

Cheers Rob