Robina McCurdy of the Tui Community in Golden Bay led a class of 10 recently through an introductory course in Permaculture and permaculture principles. There was a good blend of the theory behind the ideas of permaculture and practical hands on knowledge. Two tasks were scheduled. The first was to design a small orchard for the Murchison Area School based on permaculture principles of maximising the productivity of a small space. This was achieved primarily by layering - producing a 3d garden, taking advantage of plants which naturally can co-exist with others at various heights, producing 'guilds' ie: groupings of plants and structures which work together, taking advantage of features of each. For example, fences are used for vines, roofs collect rain water to use in the garden which is created from the microclimate created from the shelter of the structure. In addition, plants appropriate to the area were listed as a group and selected for the orchard.

Robina McCurdy talks the class through the soil analysis method for the orchard at the Murchison Area School.

The following day, a visit to an actual small farm was made and a detailed plan was produced for the owners for various aspects of the farm. It was designed to meet various needs such as food production, fuel production from wood, shelter for native plants and birds, making use of features of the land such as rocky cols and marshy streams and a small production forest. The owners wished to add shelter belts for food production as well as noise isolation. Other features such as additional water collection for stock as well as play areas and social spaces integrated into the surrounding gardens were all included in the final plan.

A typical small farm in Murchison was analysed and a permaculture plan developed for its owners.

Permculture is about working with nature, not against it for mutual benefit. By creating the spaces and environments needed to support the types of plants, bushes and trees, animals ad by making it as easy and maintenance free as possible, we benefit from the products produced from the symbiotic relationship of all these elements as well as enjoying beautiful and practical spaces with the minimum amount of effort.

One of the outcomes of the weeked was a committment for the group members to stay in touch and to continue to develop the lists of localised plants, shrubs and trees which naturally thrive in the micoclimate of the area and which can be easily incorporated into any permaculture plan. The list of plants suitable for an area is known as a compendium and can be used for planning gardens which continue to produce year round and which compliment each other, thereby maximising the use of space. 

These ideas will become increasingly important to a place like Murchison which is relatively isolated from major centers and as fuel prices and food prices increase. Many in the area do their major grocery shoppng in Nelson, 1 1/2 hours away. The more self-reliant this community can become, the better off the entire community is, as it saves time, fuel, money and makes more efficient use of existing resources.

Note: The permaculture compendium for Murchison and area will be published on this website for the benefit of everyone in the area and be developed over time as additional information from the elders of the community are collected and compiled.