-->The Transition Towns Hand-book, 2nd edition is now out at a cost $40. Anyone who wants one should contact Pauline Mitcalfe at bridgecottage<at>xnet.co.nz (replace <at> with @).

John Kenderdine will remain the main contact person for TTK. john<at>cleangreenmachine.co.nz (replace <at> with @).
General website enquiries should go to Gary Little garyasta<at>farmside.co.nz (replace <at> with @).

 

Next meeting 13th August 2010, at REAP, Kauri Room, 17:00. (33 Puckey Ave, Kaitaia)

STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES

*********************************************************************************

--- Friday 9th July, 2010

An email from Soozee of FNEC has been received as follows and relates to the community garden:
"Kia ora koutou,
I’ve just had a look at the minutes of the last TTK meeting and see there was some discussion around the Community Garden, Hua Whenua (by the hospital). While the Tuia Nursery Community Max team did regularly contribute their labour (which has been much appreciated and enabled the building of the raised beds so we have a great infrastructure to carry on with) there are a number of agencies that have consistently supported the garden with both labour and planning - notably Te Hauora O Te Hiku O Te Ika and the Far North Environment Centre. Both these agencies are committed to continued involvement with the garden.
The concept of the Time Bank in relation to the garden needs careful thought. There could be a case to be made for a co-ordinator being employed to over-see the running and maybe that person could be paid through Time Banking, but for the most part anyone doing work in the garden gets ‘paid’ in produce. That’s the whole idea of community involvement and I feel that it is the logical way to continue in terms of involving the neighbourhood.
In discussions with Callie at THOTHOTI we have identified that signage is really important in terms of involving locals and there is some ‘health’ money in the kitty to help create a billboard to go on the frame outside. This could specify when the garden is open, who to contact and something on the general kaupapa of the project.
Meanwhile, weather permitting, the regular Wednesday morning working bee tomorrow will tackle the wind cloth which needs securing to the fence and should also be an opportunity to throw some ideas around about furthering the project. It would be great to see TTK people there.
Cheers,
Soozee"

The steering committee decided no further action was required at this time. 

1. Time Bank progress.
On 22 July 17:00 there will be an orientation evening at REAP. All steering committee members are invited to attend and give constructive criticism. The Time Bank is still in its prelaunch trading phase and looking good for the August public launch.

2. Bay Of Islands Community Exchange: Report from John K on the gathering held at Pukewhau Hall last month.
The various groups shared their progress in creating various complimentary currencies. It seems that other groups are at about the same stage as we are. Each group had a different focus.
The meeting discussed whether IRD might have issues with complimentary currencies. It was thought that so long as they were not our main “income” then it should not be an issue for them.

3. Regional Currency Meeting cancelled. Not enough interest shown at this stage.

4. Sustainable Living Course 
It was reported that the monthly Sustainable Living Courses are to start on Tuesday 11th July. 17:30. Food will be provided, and there is no course fee. One night-class will be followed by a field-day to be set at the time of the course and there will also be a follow-up film evening relating to the topic of that particular month's course.

5. Community Garden working bee was proposed for Transition Town members and others – proposed date Saturday 24th July 10am – 12pm.

6. TTK was asked if they could donate a prize for a competition for young people to design an entrance for the Community Garden? The community garden project group i.e. Callie Corrigan, Soozee MacIntyre, Rebecca Ranum are organizing the competition.

7. FILM EVENING FRIDAY 13TH August : Film evening co-ordinator was appointed.

8. It was announced that a celebration of Conscience Convergence as predicted by the Mayan calendar will be taking place at Oruru hall on 18th July. Discussion followed about setting up a community notice board to advertise community events.
TTK decided to send out the newsletter for this event and to look into creating policy regarding subsequent community events.

9. The meeting was advised that he funding application to Sky City Community Trust for a co-ordinator for the Time Bank has been turned down.

********************************************************************************

--- Friday 11th June, 2010

1. Time Bank progress.

Te Mara Rongoa Marino (Peace Garden) working bee hours were discussed regarding time spent on the project and how this related to workers receiving time bank credits.

It was decided to set up a time bank community chest of 500 credits to cover community garden and setting up of the time bank and that persons who helped the time bank to get up and running be credited 25 hours each and a further 25 hours for film evening catering.

There was a good turnout at the recent peace garden working bee. It is now looking neat. 

2. Bay Of Islands Community Exchange news:

There will be a social get together  and pot luck meal at Pukewhau Hall at 4pm on Sunday 13th. June 2010.

ALL are welcome. Phone Geoff. Waterhouse 09-402-8031 for information and directions.
John and Rebecca to attend.

3. Regional Currency Meeting

Aroha Island 27 June, Aroha Island, shared pot luck lunch at 12pm followed by workshop from 1 – 4.30pm. Purpose: To learn from each other so that we may be efficient and effective in our local areas and collaborate on a regional basis.

4. Discussion  was held regarding a course being run by Gill Minogue.

5. Sustainable Living Course

This has still to be finalised.

6. Community Garden

Tuia nursery MAX funding has expired. Any ideas about how to progress the project are welcome. A few contacts were suggested, such as, Aged Concerns and NorthTec. 

It was suggested that tying the project in with the time bank to give the work value.

 A working bee is to be organized. 

A comment was made about the tree nursery struggling because it is now unable to pay workers. It was suggested that the nursery join the Time Bank.

7. Establish policy :

What content can be sent out to the general distribution list.?

Members outlined their thoughts about use of General Email list.

It was decided that we do not forward advertising to the TTK General email group.

Communications Committee

Steering Group has taken over the work of the now defunct communications group.

The time and venue for next steering committee meeting.
 9th July @ Kauri Room, REAP,  17:00 (33 Puckey Ave, Kaitaia)

 ---Friday 14th May, 2010

 

 

 

Time Bank
A Regional Currency Meeting is to be held at Aroha Island 27 June. A shared pot luck lunch at 12pm will be followed by a workshop from 1 – 4.30pm. Purpose: To learn from each other so that we may be efficient and effective in our local areas and collaborate on a regional basis.

General feedback has been received that the proposed Time Bank website looks good.

It was requested that everyone check that all "4 Corners" references have been replaced with TTK. Also asked for was that any ideas and suggestions members had about policy and workings of the timebank be forwarded to the Currency Group. One suggestion was that young inexperienced personel be placed with experienced personel to pass knowledge; and use this time as TB credits – both get credits.

A brochure is to be published and draft of an orientation package was presented. Final form to be published on the website in a couple of different formats. The group is still drawing information together. A public launch is envisaged. Again any ideas from the wider group will be welcomed. Presentation to be created to take around local businesses and any interested groups.

Office space. There is still ongoing discussion as to whether the use of the Aged Concern office space is appropriate. We have the use of the room in the meantime.

Meeting consensus was that the currency group was doing a good job.

Sustainable Living Course
The start of the first course has been postponed for one to two months - REAP has not had a chance to complete the publicity.

Party
It was suggested that on 17th July, there be a fancy dress party at Pete Furze's place.

Food Group
TTK still has a presence at these meetings with Tuia Nursery personel working there on Wednesday mornings when anyone is welcome to look over and put in time there. Needs more community engagement. Any interest parties should contact Rebecca.

Rice Project – Rice seed has been provided, and only one seed germinated. The seeds from this plant will be used to produce next years crop.

FILM EVENING
FRIDAY 11TH June : The Little Theatre will be not available for about 10 months.
“Money” film was suggested for the next screening.
Information about how to co-ordinate a film evening is to be supplied to group members.

Communications.
Brief report was presented on the success of a local phone/broadband setup.
John Kenderdine has set up local "italk" network through slingshot $50/month BB $50/month $10.95 for unlimited telephone calls. Dean Gardener can set up network. - $250 capital outlay and then the monthly bill split between the number of households involved.
For 3 households, the cost would be about $45/month for broadband, share of landline and all calls.

Incorporation Society status
This has finally been completed.

Membership
Now that TTK is an incorporated society TTK needs a membership form for interested parties to use to join. A draft will be presented at the next meeting for approval. Online signup and payment is envisaged.

A nomination for a new steering committee member was proposed.  TTK welcomes Adrienne: John proposed, seconded Evan; accepted.

Communications
Clarification was sought about the use of the General Circulation email list.
It was decided that future steering group communication on meeting dates, invitations and agendas, would be sent directly to those on the general distribution list and the minutes posted on the website. A link regarding the latest minutes would be sent to the general distribution list. All other email correspondence within the steering group would be kept “inhouse”.

 

---Friday 9th April, 2010

1. As this was the first meeting since the AGM the official handover was made effective 31 March 2010. Bank balance $534.17cr. Still $90 of expenses to come out of this balance.

2. Going forward, any agenda items should be sent to the Secretary Treasurer.

3. Koha will be collected at each meeting to cover cost of film evening suppers, cost of about $20.

4. The 2010 programme?
We will continue to show films on the second Friday of each month. Three co-ordinators required to organise each film evening. Suppers will need to be organised.
REAP courses and follow-up activities are to start 11 May. 

5. Sustainable Living Course update. See item 4.

6. Approval for a funding application for the currency group to set up the time bank was passed.

 7. Approval for  payment to FNEC for printing was passed.

8. Logo.  There was discussion about the logo. It was suggested we use the web site address as the logo wording. No decision made.

9. Funding approval was passed for the $100 incorporated society application.

10. Constitution. Final aspects of the constitution were accepted. 

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

Date:   1st March 2010

Venue:  Bridge Cottage

Chair: Pauline Mitcalfe

Present:  John Kenderdine, Rebecca Ranum, Rongo Bentson, Yvonne Sant, Pauline Mitcalfe, Cheryl Toka, Alana Tobin, Richard Wattling, Peter Furze, Adrienne Posinkovich, Roger Gale.

Phone contact:  Evan Ward, Mike Finlayson, Asta Wistrand, Gary Little, Catherine Davis, Gill Minogue.

 

Meeting opened at 6pm.

 

Apologies

Evan Ward, Mike Finlayson, Asta Wistrand, Gary Little, Catherine Davis, Ron Sant, Max Tobin.

 

General Business:  

Rebecca Ranum presented a brief summary report and update on present situation regarding:

Community Gardens

Rongoa Peace Gardens

Currency Group

All groups progressing well into 2010 with ongoing development planned and in process by the hardworking support groups involved.

 

There was brief discussion regarding the outcome of the recent display tent/stall at the recent Kaitaia A & P Show.

Good Points were the amazing display tent built by Peter Furze which will be useful for future events, a great display sign and the general interest shown in the solar powered display and the raffle which raised $142 towards the Steering Committee expenses.

Points requiring future discussion before setting up a similar display were the arrangement of displays in better position to create a through-flow enabling visitors to move through the display area more freely.

 

Rongo presented a short summary of what sounds to be an exciting future project which is being overseen by Te Runanga o Te Rarawa.  This project,  PAA Kainga, has received funding from the Ministry of Housing and will be commenced this financial year. The general project concept is “to move beyond conventional concepts and utilize old cultural values and paradigms to enhance the traditional notion of whanau for contemporary use” 

The core purpose is “to provide affordable housing within the Te Rarawa rohe and to contribute toward the well-being by contributing positively to the social well-being of people within the Te Rarawa rohe by provision of sustainable, affordable, safe, accessible, environmentally friendly housing”

 

FILM EVENING FRIDAY 12TH MARCH

It was agreed by members present the next film would be “Broken Bows and Arrows” with “Walmart” as possible  back-up. Rongo and John to arrange advertising in the Age and Doubtless Bay Times for Friday deadline. John, Evan, Peter, Rebecca and Pauline to assist with setting up and supper etc.

Lorna at REAP to collect copies of our TTK films and hold in the REAP reference Library for organizations and individuals interested in borrowing.

 

There being no further general business the members present moved on to the AGM

 

Election of  Officers:

Office        

               Chairperson        Nominated          Seconded    Approved

                        John Kenderdine       Rebecca Ranum          Pauline Mitcalfe          All

 

                        Vice chairperson

                   Evan Ward                Peter Furze                  Rebecca Ranum          All

 

                        Secretary/Treasurer

                   Rebecca Ranum        Cheryl Toka                Yvonne Sant               All

 

                        Committee Members

                   Richard Wattling      John Kenderdine         Peter Furze                  All

                        Cheryl Toka              Pauline Mitcalfe          Rebecca Ranum          All

                        Roger Gale                Rongo Bentson           Cheryl Toka                All

                        Peter Furze                Cheryl Toka                John Kenderdine         All

                        Rongo Bentson          Roger Gale                   Richard Wattling          All                                           Yvonne Sant               Richard Wattling          Roger Gale                   All      

                        Asta Wistrand           Peter Furze                  Rebecca Ranum          All

                        Gill Minogue              Roger Gale                  Rebecca Ranum          All

                        Pauline Mitcalfe        Rebecca Ranum          Peter Furze                  All

                        Gary Little                 Yvonne Sant                John Kenderdine         All

                        Mike Finlayson         Rebecca Ranum           Roger Gale                  All

                        Catherine Davis        Rongo Bentson            Rebecca Ranum          All

                        Alana Tobin              Pauline Mitcalfe           Roger Gale                  All

                        Max Tobin                Peter Furze                   Roger Gale                  All

 

Proposal : That Rebecca Ranum be appointed as third signatory for bank matters for Transition Town Steering Committee to replace Pauline Mitcalfe

Proposed by:  John Kenderdine

Seconded by: Roger Gale

Passed unanimously

---Monday 15th February, 2010

Takapuna Market
A quick discussion was held about the Takapuna Market. If TTK becomes involved, we could stand to raise funds. Will discuss further.

A trial erection of the TTK moveable venue has taken place. There will be a TTK sign for front of stall.

TTK presence at A&P Show
TTK fliers are to be produced and a raffle run, raffle donations required. Flier topics with website addresses to hand out e.g. time-bank, peak oil websites; lists of further reading. (BOI TT), skills register (skills list). TTK Wins e.g. community garden and Peace garden.   Film evenings (display past films, handout programme for coming year)

A demonstration of alternative energy/fuel.

An offer was received to supply Maori potatoes with someone to cook them to give way.

Small garden full of herbs, with herbs from Herbshack?

An approach will be made to Jacqui Payne to ask if she will donate one or two kete to put raffle prizes in.
.
It was suggested that we have a Skite Wall to display a list of TTK Initiatives plus photos.

---Monday 8th February, 2010

REAP sustainability course
At present, tutors and course content is being identified. Will be done by email and to be completed by the film evening 12th Feb.

Film evening
Discussion took place regarding the annual programme. Will be done by email and to be completed by the film evening 12th Feb. Film is “Age of Stupid” at Little Theatre starting 6:30pm.

Inc Soc – constitution
The draft copy of the constitution is nearing completion.

AGM to be held on Monday 1st March 2010 to elect officers and members. The constitution to then be lodged with the appropriate authority for incorporation.

Discussion was held as to whether we should we send an email to the general email list stating that in order for them to continue to receive minutes and information that a membership fee should be paid ($5)?

A & P Show:
The A & P Show site has been booked through FNEC.

G-Mail Address
investigation is still taking place as to what a g-mail address has to offer.

---Monday 18th January, 2010

Matters Arising
Logo – Discussion took place on the generation of a logo and it was decided to replace the words “New Zealand Aotearoa” of the National logo with the word “Kaitaia”.

Rice Growing in the North
Research is taking place on previous rice growing ventures in Northland.

Film Evenings
Swamp Palace film showings are not happening. Also film evenings have been struggling financially. Discussion followed as to where to keep TTK films. It was proposed that each film we show, we give REAP a copy.

General Bussiness

A & P Show
Discussion took place on what went well (or did not) last year.

It was agreed that we would use the tent structure that is intended for use at the market including the TTK logo.

The site is beeing booked through Far North Environment Centre and the tent structure will be supplied by Pete Furze. Discussion took place on whether sales of food could be made from the stall? Subgroups to be asked to contribute demo and/or exhibit for the stall.

Reap Courses
Approaches have been made to REAP regarding sustainable living education. Another meeting is to be scheduled. It was suggested that after the completion of each course that we offer a film evening, then a café evening followed by a workshop and field trip. The participants would then be offered a project that will implement what they have learned. Eg set up a sustainable energy generator.

Wireless Internet Sharing
A local pilot scheme has been set up with three in the group. More details to follow.

Film Evenings
“Age of Stupid” showing at Little Theatre on at 12 Feb time is to be advertised

Funds
Currency group have asked for $60 on printing. Approved with the proviso that material is ready and available for the A&P Show.

Incorporated Society
To enable subgroups to source funding, TTK needs to become an incorporated society. Some work has been done on this and it was decided that TTK should apply to become an incorporated society.

Café Evenings
These have also been struggling recently. Food/menu has been simplified, Herb Shack is still keen. Likely to tie in with the REAP courses (see item on REAP courses). Café evenings will be held each 4th Thursday of the month.

Youth
It was suggested that it would be a good idea to get youth involved with TTK. TTK would support any such venture.

Market
Consideration of a foray into the Auckland market scene for Far North Community Garden Market was discussed. A great deal of interest has been shown already. It means taking a trailer of produce (and crafts?) into the Auckland market. Another TTK initiative. A proposal to do so was accepted.

Other Business
The setting up of a gmail account for TTK is to be looked into

Next Meetings
Inc Soc meeting 8th Feb at Bridge Cottage 17:00

Show meeting 15th Feb at Bridge Cottage 17:00

 

---Monday 2nd November, 2009

Food Group
Community garden. This is progressing, but needs to involve more volunteer workers. Terms of reference are being drawn up. Three local organisations arenow involved. A coordinator is required to set tasks, so that volunteers know what is to be done on any given day. The Peace Garden MAX workers, may be available 1 day a week to work on community garden.

Year 10 horticultural course. The local high school has received approval to set up such a course.

Growing Rice. Land is available to run a trial crop. More than one local landowner has indicated an interest in this venture and currently, various types of rice seed are being sourced from local and overseas suppliers.

 Steering Committee
Logo. As the Swamp Palace is offering to re-screen the documentaries screened in Kaitaia each month, and other local projects need TTK identity, for general advertising purposes, TTK needs to progress with setting up a logo. In the interim, it was decided that the national logo with the letters TTK and relevant wording should be used.

 Currency Group.
Time Banking. It was reported that the skills list is circulating, and a program is being set up to record the registrations.

 Communications Group.
TTK Presentation.  Presentations have been made to The People Centre and the Korowai Trust. We still have not managed to show this presentation to the local MP.

 

-Monday 5th October, 2009 -->Finding a suitable logo for TTK is still under discussion. Costs of getting a professionally designed one and a layout that is acceptable to TTK, still retards progress.Topical film evenings (at the Kaitaia Community Centre Little Theatre) are held on the second Friday each month. These are continuing and are followed-up a fortnight later with a coffee-evening discussion group meeting, held over a cup of coffee at the Herb Shack. General discussions usually relating to the monthly film are held at this venue.and conversations are very informal.On the last Saturday of each month at the Oruru Swamp Palace, there will be a re-screening of the topical movie held earlier that month by TTK.The Peace Garden, on the banks of the stream passing through Kaitaia, has been planted with an assortment of native plants, and is progressing well with The Herb Shack sponsoring a "community max" project to get the garden looked after properly. Funding has also been obtained to ensure on-going work for the next six months.Discussion was held on setting up a "community bank". Work is currently under way to put together a presentation to be submitted to council.Work is still continuing with regard to having a stall at the Saturday Market Days in Kaitaia. A suitable basic stall frame has been purchased.It was decided that the TTK Steering Committee meeting on the 7th December, would also be a pot-luck dinner.  -Monday 7th September, 2009 Film Evening:There was a good turnout for the Food Forest film. A list of food forest plants is still to be distributed. This Friday the films will be “Oil, Smoke and Mirrors” (60 minutes) to be followed by “The Story of Stuff” (20 minutes). Herb Shack Coffee Evening:August Coffee Evening. Yvonne Steinemann spoke about setting up a food forest. This evening was attended by about 25 people. A soft copy of the presentation information to be emailed to interested parties.G-mail address:Work is in progress to set up a TTK email address, Possibly on a rostered responsibility basis.Transition Towns Road Show:The first presentation was made to the Pencil Centre (formerly citizens’ advice bureau). They are supporting the carpool website. A second presentation was to be made to a local MP. However, this presentation was cancelled due to the MP being unavailable. An appointment will be set up for the MP's next Kaitaia clinic. Who else can we target for this presentation? Send any suggestions to Rebecca.Publicity:A request is being made for stories about TTK projects. If anyone has a project in hand or knows someone who has, send a suitable newspaper article (for Northland Age) to Rebecca. Articles will also be submitted to the Doubtless Bay Times.College Garden:Olive trees have been planted next to the community garden area. The Food Group meetings are to be re-started. Next community garden meeting is a seed raising workshop on 29th September. Logo:It appears that there will be a competition. Work is continuing on this matter.Market Stall:
It was felt that we should have a TTK presence at the local Saturday market ASAP. "Tank frames" suitable for using as a stall frame are being considered. Material for our stall currently on hand is; two posters from A&P show, leaflets, photographs, movie list. Sustainability banners from FNEC are also available.  Herb Shack:Their current project is to plant the community area located across the stream from the Herb Shack with native trees, Maori medicinal herbs and fruit trees. Thisis taking place on 19th September. Totnes Report:A report on a visit by a TTK group member was given, and it was reported that Totnes has changed since he was there in 1960’s. The town has 970 AD architecture and could now be described as new-age sheik. There is a TT office and this has Council support. Projects are listed and displayed in the office on a white board. Totnes pound is struggling. For alternative currencies to work, four things are required.
These are; to be connected with credit unions, have electronic record of money transfers, support from within council, and a downturn in the economic climate. Projects currently running in Totnes:· Transition technology· Skill share scheme· Green energy for bus· Cycling group· Energy descent action group General Discussion:It was felt that our TTk evenings should be open to the public to assist in spreading the TT word.Garden group need gloves. An approach will be made to the council for donation?Discussion is continuing about distilling ethanol in the Far North. - Monday 3rd August, 2009

Discussion was held regarding the TTK logo costs and the design of such. Quotes are being obtained for a suitable design. The design process could also be done using a competition as a publicity opportunity. Local schools  could be contacted. It was suggested that there could be a $100 prize in fruit trees and plants for the winning entry. An article could be placed in the Northland Age.Some minor changes have been made to this website to make the Kaitaia section of the transitiontowns.org website more accessible to readers.Advertising for this film evenings have been sent to the newspapers  including Penny Pincher and Doubtless Bay times for the next film evening.TTK Cafe Discussion Topic: Designing a food forest in the Far North. Yvonne Steinmann has been contacted to speak on this topic. To be held at The Herb Shack
Distribution List: The distribution list needs to be available to multiple group members to share the responsibility and avoid communications breakdowns. A gmail account is to be set up for this purpose.Transition Road show: “Getting the message out there” could be ramped up if different community groups were offered a 1 hour presentation about the Transition Town Kaupapa. Each group can then be asked to work on their interest area for a Far North Energy Descent Action Plan. A weekend hui could be held approximately September 2010 to collate each group’s plans into a community EDAP. This can then be revised in 2011 and 2012 before being submitted to the 2012 Long Term Council Community Plan review.Work needs to be done on strategic questions to ask different community groups during these presentations. E.g. “How will your group meet its objectives when oil costs $200/barrel?”
Vision Stories: ‘Vision stories’ are needed to be submitted to a regular column in the Northland Age. These would be based on a transition project that may be in the short-term or come to fruition in the  longer-term future. Write a newspaper article about it dated for example 2015.“If we can imagine it, we can create it.”
This is a tool that has been used successfully by other transition groups  It would be awesome if people who don’t have time to attend TTK meetings but have good transition ideas could write an article/story and send to harubro@gmail.com
These stories will be collated with the intention of asking Peter Jackson if we can have a regular column once we have a good supply of vision stories.

Food Group: The Hua Whenua/Community Garden project with Te Hauora O Te Hiku O Te Ika is progressing well.Kaitaia College is interested in starting a Community Garden on the Kaitaia College Grounds. The TTK Food Group need to meet to decide how we could be involved with this project. - Wednesday 1st July, 2009
Further discussion was held on the possible format of the TTK logo.  It was suggested that a Lighthouse format  alongside our beacon mission statement might be an alternative. The meeting decided to continue with the koru/wave pattern. A proposed budget of $100 for getting a professionally formated logo was agreed to.The first Café evening meeting is to be held on 23rd July 2009 at 17:00 at the Herb Shack. These meetings will be held on the 4th Thusday of each month. Possible discussions may relate to topics covered at the film evening held just prior to the Cafe date.Herb Shack will provide herbal teas for the market day stall when we get it up and running.The film evenings programme has been produced and will shortly be displayed in the Communications Group page on this site.The last film evening screening on Earth Buildings, was a great success. Fifty people attended the evening with two films being presented. The format used worked well, as people mixed and talked in the interval between the two films. The screenings were followed up a week later with 2 earth-building house visits. An article about these earth house visits will appear in the "Penny Pincher".TTK will soon have a regular Transition Towns column in the Doubtless Bay "Penny Pincher" newspaper.The latest Community Garden Meeting had about 20 attending. Basic concepts were worked out. There is a plan to take on an extra piece of land Kaitaia College. The open street party took place in appalling weather so was eventually held in a marquee with people from Te Hiku. The gardening concept is to be organic and will be conducted according to the Maori moon calendar.On Saturday 4th July at 9:00 there is to be a workshop on the “One foot gardening system” at the community garden. a Composting workshop is also to be held. A Kaitaia College teacher is making an application to bring horticulture back into the schools science curriculum.The Transition Towns hand-book, 2nd edition, is now out at a cost $40. Anyone who wants one should contact Pauline Mitcalfe at bridgecottage<at>xnet.co.nz (replace <at> with @).Disussion was held around who or how general contact for TTK should be presented. John Kenderdine will remain the main contact person for TTK. john<at>cleangreenmachine.co.nz (replace <at> with @).General website enquiries should go to Gary Little garyasta<at>farmside.co.nz (replace <at> with @).  - Saturday 6th June 2009
It was generally agreed that our current aims are to:
-Have a presence at the Saturday market.
-To continue with the monthly film evenings.
-To start a TTK Café.Discussion was held regarding whether becoming an Incorporated Society or Charitable Trust would help us achieve these goals. The only advantage of becoming an Incorporated Society or Charitable Trust was perceived as being the ability to apply for, and get grants for various projects.We discussed our current costs and how these costs may change in the near future. Feedback from the FNEC indicated that their funding has dried up due to the recession. It was decided that our current projects required minimal funding and that, in the meantime, these funds could be raised from our present activities,
-film evenings,
-by having a voluntary donation box/dish at each steering group meeting,
-provide (at a charge of $1) our own fresh herbal teas (peppermint, lemon balm etc) at our Saturday market day stall.It was agreed that in the meantime a formal societal structure is not required, however it was accepted that this may change in the future. It was decided we would revisit this subject when we either need a grant to complete a project or when we have accumulated a significant amount of funds (say $2000.00) which may then need the protection of a formal structure.

It was proposed by two members that they would personally purchase, for a reasonable fee, some concrete tank fabrication frames. The idea is to use them as the frame for our TTK Market “Shack”. This venture and its feasability is to be looked at.

Discussions were held regarding a possible logo. A number of templates were discussed at the meeting and a basic format suggested. This will be finalised at the next meeting.

Contact will be made with a local organisation to see if we can set up our first "Cafe" meeting where the public will be able to approach TTK members in an informal atmosphere and discuss relevant matters. Short, relevantpresentations may be made on these occasions. - Monday 18th May 2009
It has been suggested that TTK have a presence at the Kaitaia market each Saturday in the "Warehouse" carpark. Ideas for our market day stall were put forward and discussed. A logo and banner are needed. A start skills register could ensue from this activity. Jenny Tombleson (Penny Pincher newspaper) is happy to publish a skills register. - Monday 4th May 2009
Report from Community Currency Conference, 
TTK attended.  Thomas Grecco was the main speaker. Main points presented were:

-Everything is dependant on currency
-Green currency to be kept separate from main currency
-Bought currency is produced by green currency company
-Time banking concept also explained. Similar to OOOOBY (out of our own back yard) found on social network sites
-Skills directory and software required to track time bank transactions
-Narrow down currencies to 2 after consulting the public How do we consult? Spread the word by bombarding public with information e.g. who else is doing it and how, target key people to “buy-in”, then public meeting to choose currencies.

It was resolved to check out German systems software relating to green currency..TTK was in attendance at the public meeting regarding the continued fluoridation of the Kaitaia water supply. The extended trial will now not go ahead as inadequate public consultation took place.Community garden site and community groups to run the garden have been found. - Monday 6th April 2009.
Community Food Group Report: “Garden area around school/Hospital boundary – approximately ¼ acre to be developed as community garden – it is hoped to get schools involved and as many people from community as possible.  Planned to hold a “community get together”.Energy Committee Report “Contact has been made with a local landowner who is happy for us to use raupo from his and for an ethanol fuel trial.  He presently runs his large earth moving equipment on biodiesel. 
Contact has also been made with someone who has developed a solar still – this is designed to purify greywater for areas where water is in poor supply – he is going to see how his system can be utilized for distilling ethanol. This means we need to be designing a trial now so that we can proceed with it as soon as possible.
- Monday 12th January 2009
"Alcohol Can Be A Gas" has now been purchased by the Kaitaia Library.TTK will have a presence at the Kaitaia A&P show and will have demonstration garden, spider board and information DVD playing. Flyers about TT movement will be given out. Will run fund raising raffle.
Film Evenings – Communications will arrange a monthly film evening on fixed Friday nights. First show to be on 20th March 7pm. A showing of Alcohol Can Be A Gas will be advertised at the A&P show to be shown at a later date.