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Waitati

 

Waitati is a small (roughly 200 household) community, 20 kms north of Dunedin on Blueskin Bay. We're a small community with a lot of ommph (see http://www.bethechange.org.nz/blogs/bus-crew/waitati). There's a long history of trying out alternatives and starting initiatives for sustainability and environmental awareness. In 2006 we began thinking more precisely about Peak Oil, Climate Change and managing the challenges. Since then, much has happened, and much more is planned for 2008. It is going to be a big year!

Some Important Social/Alt/Enviro Institutions and or sites

  • Mushroon Magazine was founded and printed in Waitati until 1985 (it is in print, not online at all - only this)
  • The Waitati Film Society is located at 'Bill's Place'
  • The Orokonui Ecosantuary is now established here, and open to the public
  • Waitati Edible Gardens encourages and promotes a community food web
  • Our local library (Blueskin Bay Library) is an information and activity hub, along with the hall
  • Blueskin Baywatch is a group interested in promoting appropriate land-use and planning. See Lee's blog
  • The Blueskin News keeps us informed, both in the electronic format and free (more comprehensive) print version
  • Waitati School is an Enviro School and is where many of our youth begin to appreciate the challenges we all face and certainly learn about gardening, energy, the environment, community and much more
  • The Waitati Energy Project is where much voluntary energy is focussed right now, with multiple projects and actions happening as we strive to build a more energy resilient, efficient and healthy community
  • W3 is an informal rideshare system for the Northern Districts
  • Many people in Waitati support the Get the Train initiative
  • In October 2008, the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust was registered to provide a legal body for sustainable initiatives in Waitati

Where we are at now.

The three keys to building a sustainable community in Waitati are Water Supply, Food Security and Energy. Water is a big issue, of course and our attempts to build a resilient supply within environmental limits are ongoing. We are having much more success with food, via Waitati Edible Gardens and we are tackling energy now, via The Waitati Energy Project. Community interest and work on building energy security for Waitati and in the Blueskin Bay area began in 2007, and this project is very active.

 

Forum and Discussion

It is not just here at Waitati, though there are many diverse activities here. Related things are happening in our general Dunedin area. Where better to deal with all this inter-related stuff than in a forum? The Dunedin Area Forum is where different forum topics relating to the greater Dunedin Area is located, and is interactive - an open space for discussion.

 

In the Media

The Waitati Energy Project, Waitati Edible Gardens, and soon W3 (will) have monthly columns in the Blueskin News, but occassionally others are interested in what's happening in Waitati

 

Contact

Scott Willis on 03 4822249 or scott.willis@otago.ac.nz or Sue Hensley at sue.hensley@gmail.com