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Friendly kereru regularly visit the orchard

Friendly kereru regularly visit the orchard

Details   Seen sitting here in one of the older plum trees, one of the local wood pidgin helps thin blossoms before flying heavily to the next tree.
Date   September 18, 2014
Tags     kereru  plum  blossoms  orchard  native birds 
Grubba, the ginger pig

Grubba, the ginger pig

Someone nearby was giving away pigs so we went to check them out and fell in love with this little guy. Having 2 female pigs already we decided to take this little boys manhood away for every ones sake.
April 24, 2014
  pig 
The goat

The goat

So, today was our first wedding anniversary, and we celebrated it by getting a goat.
Rescued as a kid when it's mother was shot in the wild, this goat is of the tame feral variety and is on loan from some people down the road.

His name is Babe, but he gets called 'Baby'. After this trial period, we will be able to determine if it's worth having our own goat one day. Although a female goat could potentially be better as the male goats are more likely to bunt and be aggressive.

So far, Babe is keeping the grass down around his little house. Hopefully he will munch down the blackberries so they won't get out of control again.

2 weeks later and we are able to confidently say that we do not want our own goat.
November 01, 2009
New Arrivals

New Arrivals

21 days have passed and the baby chickens have started breaking out of their shells.

On the first night of the hatchlings, all of the other chooks and the rooster slept inside with the mother hen...perhaps it was their way of welcoming the new arrivals.
November 06, 2009

Grunt - tail of misunderstood pigs

Details   Our kune kune pigs featured in a student mini documentary. Filmed in 2019, it's finally available online for your viewing pleasure...

Grunt - tail of misunderstood pigs is a 10 minute film depicting how pigs are social and intelligent beings. As domesticated animals, pigs are often seen as an object or a good rather than an animal. This documentary sheds light on the fact that pigs can be great pets. It is uncomfortable for many
Tags     video  pigs 
I am Cat

I am Cat

I am CAT is narrated by a shamelessly proud feline who is happy to be unique from other animals. The story touches on concepts of self esteem and uses humour to reveal some of the ways in which Cat prefers being himself above all else. With it's simple rhyming text and soft colourful illustrations, the story will appeal to preschool and primary school aged children. The larger size (28cm x 21cm) with the larger font also makes it a great book for early readers.
  • Paperback
  • 32 pages
  • Colour illustrations
  • Spine: perfect sewnbound
  • Width: 280mm
  • Height: 210mm
Click the 'view photos' button to see sample images of the story.
$20.00
  book  children  art  gibson  cat 
Trees for animal fodder

Trees for animal fodder

By now it should be obvious that we need more trees in our landscapes, however inconvenient that may seem. The benefits are numerous. Using trees for supplementary animal feed is a smart strategy in drought prone areas. This includes:
  • Fresh leaves / foliage
  • Fruits and berries
  • Nuts and seeds
Once established, trees are long lived with a deep root system capable of funding moisture in dry times. Large volumes of edible material can be produced, along with all the other benefits provided by appropriate species of trees.
September 04, 2018
  trees  animals 
Animal care

Animal care

  • Working with animals in the garden
  • learn all about Kune Kune pigs, pyschology, social queues, body language, intelligence
  • Keeping free-range chickens and ducks

My motivation

Having grown up in rural New Zealand on a small organic farm with no electricity, low impact living was an obvious choice but not one I had really contemplated until about 2005.

I had lived in several cities since leaving home to study at high school. The urban lifestyle was exciting and was, at the time, a prerequisite for my career path into software and web design. After some time I decided to get outside my comfort zone and embarked on the obligatory overseas experience.

During my travels I encountered poor people, unfortunate conditions of over population, pollution and conflict yet almost everywhere a strong sense of family and community. This inspired me to return home with a new appreciation for the fantastic privilege we have here in New Zealand.
At first I just fitted back into my old life in Wellington but the more I looked about the more I realised that this experiment called civilization that we have come to take for granted is headed for rough times and possibly the rocks.

It became evident that serious issues like species extinction, peak oil and climate change pose an enormous challenge to humanity and that even minor disruptions to our 'just in time' way of life would have severe impacts on city living.

So I worked hard and kept my eyes peeled for a suitable location that might shelter me from the coming chaos. I wanted to be able to garden, raise a few animals, avoid rising sea level and generally attempt to survive the converging catastrophes of the 21st century.

Ride on mower - fossil fuel extravagance

Ride on mower - fossil fuel extravagance

Having no grazing animals leaves us with an abundance of tall grass that is beginning to get out of control in the places where I have not attacked it with the scythe.
Bring on the old mower I 'inherited' from my father. Time will tell if it's a useful tool or a lemon...
December 04, 2010
  grass  mowing  fuel  energy 
Benjamin

Benjamin

Of the four stays I had on my wwoofing experience in two months of wwoofing in New Zealand, my stay with Olmec and Melisa was the most comfortable. This couple is kind, welcoming, dedicated and smart. Staying in their container home was a treat and working with Olmec on the land was a great pleasure. All of the tasks set up were interesting, were explained in great detail, and included great conversation about many aspects of permaculture, grafting fruit trees, animals, and life! If you are wwoofing to really learn more about permaculture and sustainability and you would like to work in a closed-loop food forest, stay with Olmec and Melisa! Thank you both!
USA / Korea
February 11, 2019
Food Forests, Permaculture & Water Harvesting

Food Forests, Permaculture & Water Harvesting

Olmec will show you how he and his wife Melisa designed permaculture-style food systems by nurturing and enhancing the natural features of their land. Together they have created a diverse, beautiful and bountiful environment.
During a tour of the property, you'll learn about planning an integrated system that includes plants and animals, natural methods of fertilising and soil conservation. Olmec will also demonstrate how to drought-proof your property using swales; that is, earth-shaping to harvest water.

Contribution: 2 time-bank credits or $10 suggested fee
To register contact: Belinda Meares, 03 314 3406, tbhlearningexchange@gmail.com
(Car-pooling can be arranged).
September 17, 2016
Pigs in the young food forest

Pigs in the young food forest

Our 3 pigs sleep in a long concrete shed, the north side of which is 4 garden beds enclosed in plastic through which the chickens are rotated.
During the day the animals are free to roam up to 1 hectare of emerging food forest which is broken into 8 sections (paddocks) of various sizes.
Many of our pig fences are constructed from short log posts driven into the ground and joined by a horizontal run of old corrugated iron since there was stacks of it here. Wire fences will not contain a pig, they can force their way under and through.
We find that by providing plenty of space and regulating their access to different areas means they get plenty of variety, don't over graze and start interfering with young trees or rooting up the ground.
September 19, 2016
  pigs  food forest 
Books for kids

Books for kids

Details   inspired by rural living, animals, and nature
Ecosystem restoration and increased biodiversity

Ecosystem restoration and increased biodiversity

As with many areas of New Zealand that have been cleared and converted to pasture for grazing, the land at blockhill was compacted and biological diversity was low. By eliminating further compaction and introducing an extensive mix of plant species we have developed habitat and food source for a wide range of micro and macro organisms which in turn boost ecosystem health, nutrient cycling and ultimate productivity.

Humans have a nasty habit of displacing or exterminating any organism that doesn't provide an obvious short term benefit (with the exception of some native species). We now know that biodiversity is the key to a healthy, functional and resilient ecosystem.

By including and encouraging a diverse range of plants, animals and insects we produce systems that are naturally harmonious and balanced and therefore require less human management and are less susceptible to climatic fluctuation, pest invasion and other impacts.
Rooster

Rooster

Having a rooster offers a number of benefits, if you can overlook the noisy crowing:
  • Helps encourage the chooks to start laying earlier
  • Provides some level of predator protection
  • Creates fertilised eggs if yo want to hatch baby chickens
October 01, 2014
  Rooster 
Greenfinch eating brassica seed

Greenfinch eating brassica seed

Date   December 29, 2014
Make the most of it

Make the most of it

  • Continue to explore the forest garden at your own pace
  • Visit the animals
  • Relax and enjoy your meals
  • Visit nearby attractions such as Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura, Cheviot Hills Reserve, Gore Bay
  • Socialise with others or spend quiet time by yourself enjoying reading, art, meditation, yoga
Melisa

Melisa

I am most content when I am surrounded by animals and nature. I've learned a lot about self reliance and resilience since my Blockhill journey began in 2009. I've acquired skills in food preservation, gardening, knitting, sewing and animal care. I love spending time with my Kune Kune pigs, muscovy ducks, silkie chickens, and my cat Chappie. Olmec and I continue to learn something new every day as we navigate our way through this unique and enriching life.

I've written and illustrated 4 children's picture books and they are all available for purchase here on our website.

I also have an interest in health and well being from a natural and alternative approach, and have a good understanding of plants and their various health benefits. Having had some health issues in recent years, I've explored many alternative options to mainstream medicine. I can advise on my own personal approach to healing from endometriosis and ovarian cysts (endometrioma) through a combination of gluten-free diet, plant based vegan diet, herbal supplementation, visualisation and meditation. It took time and some hard work but I believe my lifestyle changes made a significant difference and helped me avoid another surgery.

Please feel free to contact me if you have similar health concerns and you would like further information about my approach.
Hedgehog

Hedgehog

These spiny little mammals usually come out at dusk or during the night and snuffle about eating worms and insects although they can on occasion eat eggs.

If startled they roll into a prickly ball.
Rooster and hens

Rooster and hens

The rooster struts his stuff out in the field.
November 07, 2009
Wood pigeon

Wood pigeon

These birds can be seen in the orchard throughout the year feasting on blossoms and plums.
August 07, 2011
Rumi

Rumi

I got to stay with Olmec and Melisa for only 10 days, but every single day I learned so much about permaculture and sustainable living from them with a variety of tasks, and it was absolutely an amazing eye-opening experience! They have created a very unique and fascinating garden designed and managed in the way that makes the best use of beauty and strength of nature, which inspired me a lot. The organically grown vegetables and fruits were super fresh and delicious, and all the adorable animals made me smile every day:)) They are extraordinarily considerate and kindhearted people, full of useful knowledge and creativity. I cannot thank them enough for such a fruitful stay. Highly recommended for those who are willing to learn about permaculture practically to make it your own!
Japan
March 17, 2023
Mila & Mattia

Mila & Mattia

Plenty of energy and enthusiasm for permiculture, Mila & Mattia spent a week of hot summer days helping out in the garden, pruning and mulching and building another Hugelkultur / log mound garden.
If you are looking for a place where you would like to learn about permaculture and sustainable life.. Don't miss Blockhill and, of course, Olmec and Melisa. We did different tasks every day and they are really open to explain everything to you. They are very kind, friendly and knowledgeable. They have very delicious and fresh vegetables and fruits. Sweet animals. The accommodation is beautiful and very clean. We had very good time at Blockhill. Was a real woofing, a real exchange.. Give and receive. So, the only think we can say is Thank you to save our world building an alternative and working life stile. Beautiful project! Big hug for both of you!!
Italy
February 23, 2019
Reforestation idea

Reforestation idea

A brief article that explores the benefits of prohibiting the use of herbicides in New Zealand. I realise this is a radical and unrealistic proposition since most people are ignorant, or refuse to believe that there is anything wrong with these chemicals or that the need to restore woody vegetation is an imperative to tackling rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
July 15, 2014
Butterfly weed

Butterfly weed

Details   A species of milkweed native to eastern North America. It is a perennial plant growing to 0.3–1 metre tall, with clustered orange or yellow flowers from early summer to early autumn.
Common name   Pleurisy Root, Butterfly milkweed, Rolfs' milkweed, Indian Paintbrush
Botanical name   Asclepias tuberosa
Family   Asclepiadaceae
Height (m)   0.3–1
Diameter   0.50
Perennial  
Shade / Sun   Full sun - part shade
Flowers   Orange
Tags     butterfly 
Rota and Mowa the kunekune pigs

Rota and Mowa the kunekune pigs

Ready to move to the next level of small scale, high intensity land management, it's pig time.
We picked up a deal with some guy giving away these 6 month old kunekune girls.
Very friendly, seemingly live on grass and hopefully turns the ground for planting.
October 25, 2012
  pig  kunekune 
Demand white clover

Demand white clover

Details   Dense stoloniferous and persistence clover type with good winter hardiness and improved winter, spring production. Small- Medium Leafed
Common name   White Clover
Botanical name   Trifolium repens
Variety   Demand
Family   Fabaceae
Nitrogen fixer  
Date   August 08, 2013
Colour   White
The myth about tree & pasture incompatibility - photographic evidence

The myth about tree & pasture incompatibility - photographic evidence

I am passionate about trees and their numerous benefits so I frequently encounter this commonly held misconception when I try and encourage grass growers to consider incorporating trees on their farms. The argument goes something like this: "I can't plant trees in or around my pasture because they compete with grass for light, water and minerals, grass production would suffer".

This photo, taken a few hundred meters from my home on a conventional sheep and beef farm during the worst drought in decades is evidence that certain tree species can actually improve the performance of grass. If only people were as observant as they are quick to dismiss the value of trees in the landscape.
May 06, 2015
  trees  grass  drought 
Hare Hunt

Hare Hunt

The introduction of RCD (the rabbit killing virus) has seen a successful reduction in the numbers of wild rabbits in many areas. However, with the removal of rabbits has come a new problem, hares.
September 29, 2007
Living on contour - working with water flow

Living on contour - working with water flow

Water is the essence of life and as such we need to be thinking about how to make best use of what we have. The most important work we do is to implement solutions for capturing, storing, diverting and infiltrating rainwater and runoff. This helps build soil, nourish crops, prevent erosion, minimise drought and reduce or eliminate irrigation needs.
Learn about the art of land shaping for natural rainfall catchment, a practical guide to water harvesting and management.
Make the most of the water available, direct surplus water away from wet areas towards dry areas.
Use swales and terraces to halt the flow of water and nutrient off the land and allow it infiltrate and hydrate the soil.
August 21, 2014
  water  swale  contour 

Trees and Tracks

After spending our Saturday assisting my parents with their garlic planting had Sunday free to continue improving the land.
July 22, 2007
Nitrogen fixing plant species suited to temperate climate such as North Canterbury New Zealand

Nitrogen fixing plant species suited to temperate climate such as North Canterbury New Zealand

Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth. Certain plants have a useful ability to capture nitrogen from the atmosphere. This is often achieved through symbiotic relationship with fungi in the root zone. Being able access unlimited nitrogen allows these plants to grow quickly while also making some available to surrounding plants. The practical reality is that including nitrogen fixing plants of various shapes and sizes amongst other productive plantings improves overall health, vigour and fertility,
Olmec, indigenous peoples of central America

Olmec, indigenous peoples of central America

People make all sorts of wild guesses about the origin of my name. I can count on one hand the number who have known correctly.

For those of you who are not sure, the Olmecs were a culture of ancient peoples inhabiting the East Mexico lowlands around 800 BC. They are often regarded as the Mother Culture of later Middle American civilizations and are famous for their colossal carved heads.

In a strange twist of fate, it turns out my wife, whose grandmother is Salvadorian, may have a trace of Olmec ancestry.
Thornless Honey Locust Seed

Thornless Honey Locust Seed

Botanical name   Gleditsia triacanthos f.inermis
Details   Excellent shade and autumn colour tree. Produces very large pods with sticky sweet pulp, valued for stock fodder. Thrives in the heat and dry.
Drought tolerance  
Jugulone tolerance  
Nitrogen fixer  
Tags     deciduous  N fixer  tree 
Price   $4.90  20 seeds

Grafting calendar

There are 2 main activities related to grafting that are season and weather specific.
  1. Collecting desired varieties of scion wood from healthy trees while they are dormant. For deciduous fruit and nut trees this is mid winter or late June to July in New Zealand
  2. Grafting the stored scions onto the appropriate rootstocks in early to mid spring when growth is commencing. Here in North Canterbury this is from early August to to mid October.

Correct timing is only part of the grafting process. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the technique, compatibility and after care for the best results.
Understanding your location and goals

Understanding your location and goals

  • Initial remote landscape evaluation based on satellite imagery, digital mapping and local climate data
  • Phone conversation to discuss and outline objectives, time line and budget
  • Determine available resources and assets such as water flows, mulch material, nutrient sources, shelter, buildings, machinery
  • Potentially organise a site visit to assess existing plantings and observe local conditions (wind, sun, soil etc.)
Tagasaste (tree lucerne) seeds

Tagasaste (tree lucerne) seeds

Botanical name   Chamaecytisus palmensis
Details   Fast growing, drought resistant nitrogen fixer (legume). This small tree has white flowers which are loved by bees, bumblebees and native pigeon. Grown as a nurse or support tree during the establishment of more long term tree plantings. Useful as a quick canopy / umbrella over citrus, avocados etc. or used as physical scaffold for climbers such as grape, kiwifruit etc. Good firewood from mature trees. Pour hot water over the seeds and soak for 24 hours before planting into course sand.
Drought tolerance  
Evergreen  
Nitrogen fixer  
Perennial  
Tags     evergreen  flowers  N fixer  tender  tree  white 
Price   $2.90  20 seeds