Autumn is now in full flight at Longbush and the colours in the landscape have been changing rapidly. The welcome shelter has been changing too and we increasingly have dry, level, interior areas in which to work.

Since the beginning of the year the weather has been true to form and been fairly changeable. I’m pleased to report that all parts of the structure held up well to the heavy wind and rain of cyclone Lusi – so, the building has had its first real test and passed without any problems.

Despite the odd climactic interruption we’ve managed to maintain steady progress thanks to the ever present groups of volunteers – including a huge contingent from Holmes Consulting Group, EIT students and passionate locals – who have generously given of their time ensuring the completion of framing of the timber structures and staining of the cladding, amongst other jobs.

Over the past fortnight we’ve entered an exciting stage where the space between each of the prefabricated structures can now be inhabited as the outdoor classroom takes shape. We have also made substantial progress in the plumbing and assembly of the composting BioLoo; and the beautifully crafted timber joinery has also arrived on site. In the coming week we’ll be on track to install the roofing, moving on to the cladding soon after.

It’s also gratifying to report that the project continues to generate interest, having recently played host to a delegation of some 70 members of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects. It was my pleasure to speak a little bit about how our project has developed and the feedback from the group was fantastic.

The Welcome Shelter has also been the subject of a profile in the Gisborne Herald, which resulted in considerable local support, while on a national level, I was interviewed by Kathryn Ryan, host of the Nine to Noon programme on Radio New Zealand. Click here to listen to the interview.

This media coverage expands the visibility of our project into a new and diverse field. It also means that coverage of the project has now included two radio networks, several magazines, websites, public presentations and advertisements – proof of how the Welcome Shelter and the Longbush Ecosanctuary have been embraced across the nation.

As we move forward with the next stage of the project, I’d like to extend the invitation to join our volunteer ranks and become part of the team. You don’t need to be an expert or have any tools – we have plenty on site – all that’s needed is a sense of adventure! Just get in touch if you would like to visit the site and spend a day or two helping out.