Nau mai, haere mai - Welcome home

Welcome to a hopepage for te whanau uenuku, the rainbow family of Aotearoa, hosted by CoActivate, a free service offered by a non-profit group called the Open Planning Project, using open source/ libre software.

OurStory | rainbow family and friends | world gathering 2009/10

News - 5 Jan, 2010: a local in Taitapu (Golden Bay) has shared info about a "rainbow healing and learning camp" being promoted by a man called Ursus Shwartz/ Black Bear. This man has been calling three-month long "rainbow gatherings" every summer for the last few years, often using references to actual rainbow gatherings to borrow credibility. At least now he has stopped calling them gatherings, but his ongoing attempts to bring workers to his working bees, his land and his projects by using the rainbow name are misleading at best. I have visited Black Bear at "Mt SoNNoS", his scrubby hillside "paradise" in the Bay, and my impression was that of a harmless, well-meaning old eccentric. However, word from rainbow family in Europe is that he has caused a lot of confusion and frustration there, and one Golden Bay local has commented, "you may want to inform people of the dangers of this man and his attempt to make this project sound amazing when it is full of shit.

people can still choose for themselves but an informed choice is always better". The text on the site asks for a 3 week minimum stay. Kia tupato - take care! (Strypey)

News - 19 Dec, 2009: The new site has been found, a unanimous consensus emerged on the land, with NO discussion required! :) We are in the Victoria Forest Park, in the heart of Te Wai Pounamu (the south island), near te Kopi o Kaitangata (Lewis Pass), and about 2 1/2 hours from Mawhera (Greymouth), Whakatu (Nelson), or Otautahi (Christchurch). The closest international airport is Christchurch Airport.

Access to the site is up the Rappahannock Valley, on Highway 65, about 30km north of Springs Junction or 54km south of Murchison. Turn east onto Rappahannock Rd, which is 10km north of Maruia Village. Car park is about 3km along, visible from the road.

The streams we are gathering by are tributaries of the Rappahannock River. Wikipedia claims that "The name "Rappahannock" comes from the Algonquian word lappihanne (also noted as toppehannock), meaning 'river of quick, rising water' or 'where the tide ebbs and flows.'". So, plan for wet weather, as well as sun. Although sandflies are few so far, bring plenty of all-natural insect repellent. Due to fire risk, communal fires only, approved by talking circle. Bring strong food containers to keep out rats and mice. Bring tarps and pots and tools. Bring musical instruments, and good things to share, and love and light. leave your drugs, alcohol, electronic devices, dogs, chainsaws, and helicopters at home.

Seed Camp activities are being rushed along, the gathering is starting! All family are called to come welcome the land, and start seeds for a beautiful gathering. Magic hat is in need of love, send to aotearoacaravan @ gmail.com via http://www.paypal.com. (Strypey)

News - 12 Dec, 2009: I have just come from the base camp at the rained out gathering site (Doughboy Creek). Arohanui to everyone who was part of this rainbow adventure in South Westland.

Everyone is out of the main site now, all are safe, warm, and fed, if still a little damp ;) River was still impasable, so magic hat paid for a helicopter to bring them out. All gear except a few tipi poles came out of the site with them, no problems. Welcome home camp has also been packed up and carried out to base camp, except for a tipi and a tarp which need to dry out. The rest of this update can be found in the email list archives. (Strypey)

News - 2 Dec, 2009: Seed camp for the world rainbow gathering starts today. For answers to frequently asked questions about the this world gathering, click on the link above. Strypey put out his last seasonal newsmail last Saturday. You can read it in the email list archives.

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