Permaculture in Aotearoa: Designing with Nature

Course Description: Permaculture in Aotearoa: Designing with Nature

Ready to grow a resilient, productive garden that works with nature, not against it? This course isn’t just about gardening; it’s about learning to see the land through a different lens—the lens of permaculture. Derived from “permanent agriculture,” permaculture is a design framework that integrates knowledge from biology, ecology, and traditional wisdom to create sustainable human habitats. It’s a visionary and practical approach to building a better future, pioneered by Tasmanian ecologist Bill Mollison. We’ll explore how these principles can be applied to the unique landscapes, climates, and ecosystems of Aotearoa, from the lush kāri (gardens) of the North Island to the rugged whenua (land) of the South.

What You’ll Learn: 5 Lessons to Unlock Your Inner Kaiwhakatipu (Grower)

This course is structured into five core lessons, each culminating in a practical assignment reviewed by our tutors. Get ready to put your new knowledge into action!

• Lesson 1: The Foundations of Permaculture: Dive into the core ethics and principles of permaculture. We’ll explore how to apply these concepts to design a system that is productive, regenerative, and culturally relevant to New Zealand’s unique context.
• Lesson 2: Te Taiao (The Environment) and the Web of Life: Explore the rich biodiversity of New Zealand’s ecosystems. Understand the interconnectedness of all living things, from native birds to beneficial insects, and how these relationships can inform your permaculture designs.
• Lesson 3: Our Fertile Whenua (Soils): Uncover the secrets of New Zealand’s diverse soils. Learn about soil life, nutrient cycles, and low-impact cultivation methods to build healthy, living soil—the heart of any productive garden.
• Lesson 4: Wai (Water) and Our Unique Climate: From the abundant rainfall of the West Coast to the arid Central Otago plains, New Zealand’s climate is highly varied. We’ll explore the water cycle, how to harvest and conserve water, and how to use microclimates to your advantage.
• Lesson 5: Mimicking Our Native Forests: Learn from the ultimate permaculture system—the native bush. We’ll examine the structure and functions of forest ecosystems, like those found in a pārekereke (food forest), and apply these principles to create resilient, low-maintenance food systems in your own backyard.

Your Permaculture Journey: Aims and Outcomes

By the end of this course, you’ll have the skills and understanding to:

• Discuss the nature and scope of permaculture, grounding it in the Aotearoa context.
• Apply a deep understanding of environmental systems to design a functional and regenerative permaculture system.
• Describe the characteristics of our local soils and how they influence both natural and designed landscapes.
• Explain how to use your knowledge of climate and water to create efficient and productive gardens.
• Design a forest garden system, drawing inspiration from New Zealand’s unique native forest ecosystems.