The gardens of historic Bell House at Howick Historical Village will open to the public for East Auckland Eco Day on Sunday.
Highlighting sustainable living from past to present with stalls, resources, demonstrations and giveaways, visitors will have the chance to meet local environmental groups and chat with experts on composting, chicken and beekeeping, and more.
Stallholders include Keep New Zealand Beautiful, The Compost Collective, Pest Free Howick, Predator Free Franklin, Friends of Hunua Ranges and the Chinese Conservation Education Trust. Michael Andrew, editor of NZ Lifestyle Block magazine, will be on site sharing stories and wisdom on homesteading and self-sufficiency, with special publications for sale.
Farm Cove Pakuranga Scouts will be fundraising for the Antarctic & Southern Ocean Coalition with ‘Save the Penguins’ cookies.
In a free talk by environmentalist Lenny van Heugten at 11am, learn about the remarkable 30-year project to bring the kokako back from the brink in the Hunua Ranges. Lenny will have copies of her new book for sale.
Members of Howick Menzshed – based in Bell’s Barn – will be displaying some of their community and upcycled projects and taking membership applications.
Visit the Bike Hub Pakuranga, also located in Lloyd Elsmore Park, on your way to learn bike fixes and get practical tips to keep the wheels spinning.
Then, enter the village itself to experience the Village Fete Live Day! Step back in time when everything was handmade, and home grown, and nothing was wasted.
Make your own butter or create a rug from fabric scraps. See the coal range and bread oven fired up and the blacksmith working at the forge.
Learn about bees in a talk with the village beekeeper (aka The Bee Lady) at 1pm.
Admission is required for entry to the Village Fete Live Day.
The Homestead Cafe and sweet shop will be open, and the gelato cart will also be on site. Bring the whole whanau and make a day of it!
East Auckland Eco Day is run by East Auckland Tourism in association with Howick Historical Village as part of EcoFest 2024.
Free entry to East Auckland Eco DaySunday, April 14, 10am-2pmBell House, 75 Bells Road, Lloyd Elsmore Park, PakurangaFree entry + free parking
Live Day ‘Village Fete,’ 10am-4pm. Admission: adult $18, student/senior $14, child $10, family $46, child under 5 – free.
Relevant links:www.historicalvillage.org.nzwww.eastaucklandtourism.co.nzEcoFest 2024‘Stories from the Kokako Management Area‘ by Lenny van Heugten
