Ngā mihi nui o te tau hau! We’re open again at Bank Street after our summer break and getting things back up and running. We’re working on a programme of Crafty Mondays starting in February and other workshops, keep an eye on our Facebook page for more information and regular updates. We’re also expanding our range of stock – first in are the metal drinking and smoothie straws made by Kiwi company Caliwoods that are already proving really popular.
We are delighted to welcome on board Marije, pictured above, our new EcoCentre coordinator. She’ll be in Mondays – Thursdays, do pop in and say hello! If you’re keen to get more involved with the EcoCentre, whether that’s staffing the EcoCentre, sewing, knitting or crocheting, raising and/or potting up plants, running workshops or anything else come and have a chat with her.
I’ll leave her to say a bit more about herself…
Hi, My name is Marije van der Leeuw, and as my name might suggest; I am from the Netherlands and me and my partner have just moved back to New Zealand.
More recently have gained a strong interest in sustainability and environmental issues. I have become very creative in thinking of ways that I can contribute to a healthier environment in my personal life. More recently I started to explore how to be able to this on bigger scale and as a traveller I have volunteered on few Eco-projects and small farms. This has now led me to the EcoCentre in Kaitāia.
I have spent most of the past 10 years managing and working in high end hospitality, both in New Zealand and overseas.
I really like what the Eco Centre is doing for this community and I love that I got given the opportunity to both learn and contribute more.
So with Marije coordinating us all, and Donna working on our finances and fundraising we’re hopeful that 2019 will be a great year here for helping save the world (or at least our corner of it, no pressure right?!)
compiled by Anna Dunford