Permaculture in Action in Matakana, north of Auckland
23 years of Permaculture development has resulted in a highly productive organic garden and orchard, an energy-efficient passive solar home and a wonderfully rich lifestyle. Animals, birds and bees are integrated into an edible landscape. Most of the food is produced on the farm and any surplus is sold at the local farmers market in Matakana. Approximately 13,000 trees have been planted over the years including timber, firewood, amenity trees and over 800 fruit and nut trees.
The compost toilets (the ultimate in recycling) help close the loop by providing rich compost for the fruit trees — what comes off the land goes back to the land. Fresh water comes from springs near the highest point on the farm, and is gravity fed to the house and gardens. The used water with all its nutrients goes to the orchard and completes the cycle.
