Marcel Biggelaar – 7 May 1966 – 25 February 2018

Today, at 11am, Marcel left us forever after a long battle with renal cancer. He was No.9 of 11 siblings and the first to leave – always the unerring leader. A man of extraordinary character and skills – blessed with rare kindness and generosity. His passing was of the utmost grace and peace, gently retreating […]

Healthier Home Interiors

The science of building biology In New Zealand, when designers and architects design our homes, we ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ their work.  Overseas however, if human health is negatively affected by a built environment that compromises natural biological functions, the building company, architect and manufacturers can be sued. Litigation could result from an unhealthy indoor air […]

Fungi Fervour

Klaus Lotz of Permadynamics in Matapouri is the first mushroom grower in New Zealand to achieve biodynamic certification with Demeter for two types of mushrooms: Shiitake (lentinula edodes) and Oyster (pleurotus ostreatus) mushrooms. There is one other certified organic mushroom producer in new Zealand, Hillcroft Mushrooms in Napier. The production process at Permadynamic uses only […]

Biogas – Free Renewable Energy

Highlighting a low-cost way to generate energy while using on-farm resources, reducing greenhouse gases, and ending up with a rich fertiliser. Klaus Lotz has had a bee in the bonnet about biogas since he first learned about it at age 17.  Klaus and Vanessa and their family operate PermaDynamics at Matapouri, Northland, New Zealand’s largest […]

Ana Aloma  – Organic Queen

  In 1998 Ana Aloma was shopping in the organic section of Foodtown in Kelston, Auckland. “I bought Purefresh Organic veges and, after eating them, decided I wanted to work for this company. I pestered them until they agreed to see me. Sales of organic produce were low and they couldn’t afford to pay a […]