Group applies creative thinking on Motueka's resilience

May 25th, 2012

Transition Town Motueka is developing action plans to increase this community's capacity to continue functioning well under conditions of financial unravelling, energy scarcity and climate change.

At an event hosted by Transition Town Motueka, last week about 20 Motuekans met to broaden their understanding of the implications of these adverse changes and to discuss things that ordinary people could do to become more resilient.

Meeting convenor Joanna Santa Barbara said that they used assumptions that imported goods would be relatively inaccessible, and that this would include liquid fuel.

There was strong agreement that acting for personal resilience made sense only while working simultaneously for community resilience. The two are closely intertwined. There was also a perception that while the discomfort of changing behaviour is real, a more vibrant, closer-knit and cooperative community might be the result of such adaptations.

People worked in five small groups. Some of the ideas generated were as follows:

Personal resilience group

Acquire useful tools (eg kitchen and garden)
Acquire means of (non-fossil-fuel) transport (eg bicycle)
Acquire necessary clothing
Build library of self-sufficiency literature, both personally and communally
Do a resource audit of people with essential skills in the neighbourhood
Do an audit of strengths and vulnerabilities, both personally and communally. Take note of health and age factors.

Community resilience group

Do an audit of community strengths and vulnerabilities (eg in transport)
Examine and revive Transition Town model
Focus on the multiple occupancy of land issue. There is already a shortage of affordable housing. Expected changes may bring about a migration from urban to rural areas, worsening this problem.
Reorient food production from export purposes to serving the range of local food needs.

Community currency and trading, time bank, strengthening local economy and community

It was noted that a local currency and time bank can and do co-exist, but are likely not interchangeable.
It was suggested that we consider introducing something close to mainstream forms of exchange, eg a local currency such as the Totnes pound, or the very successful Waiheke local trading system based on Facebook. This may lead to acceptance of a more developed local currency, which would be a strong community development tool.

Education Group

With a focus on engaging young people, it was noted that it is important to meet young people where they are in their lives, and to engage in dialogue, not preach.
Form a Facebook-based action group of young people.
Write a weekly newspaper column on Transition-related issues.
Develop a community learning network.

Food for All group

Share information on food growing and preserving, and seed-saving.
Develop a local or bioregional food map.
Use a 'What if we could no longer import food' scenario to stimulate education and action in this arena. Consider use of the game developed by Adam Guyton along these lines.
Create more community gardens.
The new Food Club at Riverside was noted with appreciation, together with the desirability of having a central town location for such an endeavour.

There was brief consideration given to next steps. Suggestions included a hui on the strengths and vulnerabilities audit, and development of a '1 to 10' safety package for resilience.

An ad hoc steering committee Verena Gruner, Lynda Hannah, Craig Ambrose, Joanna Santa Barbara will plan the next action. For more information, contact Joanna at or .

>> , to be added to the page. [If this link doesn't work, use this form instead]

[ Return ]
[ Other news articles ]

We wish to thank these local community-minded businesses who generously sponsor our site. They recognise the value of supporting this community asset, and in return Motueka Online is pleased to use and recommend their services whenever appropriate.

Ray White Motueka, Parkes Automotive, Motueka Floral Studio, Nelson Building Society, House of Travel