Fiona Moorhouse – Chairperson

Having been with PiNZ for a few years a lot of you will know my name and some of you will have met me in person.

If you have met me you will know I am an extroverted people person who loves to talk and to learn. However my neurodivergent nature means I am prone to butting in, changing topics rapidly, not making eye contact while speaking to you (I am an auditory learner so I am still listening) juggling a thousand projects at once and mastering a new skill on what can seem like a weekly basis.

I first learnt about permaculture while living in Queensland Australia where I was based for 19 years. I learnt from Geoff Lawnton, Robin Clayfield and Morag Gamble and on returning to New Zealand I re-did a PDC with Phil and Sharon Stevens supported by Gary and Emily Williams as a way of building connections and getting an understanding of permaculture in this climate and my bio region.

This led me to a deep understanding that “Permaculture is a something we use, Not something we do”. We use the ethics, principles and knowledge to guide the decisions we make, for example you do not build herb spirals where I lived in Queensland as it is too hot, and where I live in the Rangitīkei we use swales to gently remove water from the landscape not hold water in the landscape.

This year I am finishing my Masters in Psychology writing a thesis focused on rural mental health. I am also parenting my 9 year old son along side my husband, running our small 6 acre farm with cows (including a house cow) chickens, ducks, meat rabbits and pigs. I love gardening, cooking, preserving and fermenting and have a huge garden (about 300 sqm) where I grow food for ourselves and to gift.

I also manage the Marton Community Garden where I runworkshops on homesteading skills and this year will be teaching a PDC alongside Phil Stevens which I am excited about bringing to the Manawatu/Rangitīkei regions.

Halina Horn – Newsletter Editor

Growing up on a permaculture property practicing biodynamics fostered a deep connection to the whenua and a profound awe for all living beings. This upbringing grounded me in regenerative practices and inspired a lifelong passion for ecological systems and living in synergy with earth.

I’ve further expanded my knowledge through studying with the Earth Workers Collective in Auckland, working for WhyWaste and hold a BA in Project Management. Currently, I live in community at Mangaroa Farms, where I continue to immerse myself in regenerative growing systems, land based education and events.

I thrive on collaborating with others to bring incredible projects to life, a passion that has manifested in diverse ways, including my involvement in organising music festivals, where I developed strong skills in coordination, logistics, and community building.

I love to bring my practical experience, creativity, and enthusiasm for working with others. Helping to support, inspire and engage humans to connect with the beautiful world around us.

Zeb Horrell

Zeb is a regenerative land steward and community weaver, with a mission is to foster bioregional resilience and ecological awareness for future generations.  After transitioning his family’s 1,000-acre sheep farm in Southland to more ecological practices, he founded the Future Whenua Collective, to support land-based solutions through education, collaboration, and events. Zeb now works as the Chief Regenerative Practitioner at Mangaroa Farms – a resilient community food hub and educational centre that integrates food forests, market gardening, native forest regeneration, and regenerative grazing practices.

Dr. Lynsey Ellis – Education Liason

I completed my PDC in 2021 with the Auckland Permaculture workshop. I’m a keen permaculture practitioner and have designed my quarter-acre section according to permaculture principles based in Ōrewa North Auckland (@harvesthomesteadorewa). I’m a registered social worker and teach social work at Massey University school of social work.

For my Ph.D I studied the health and social impacts of climate change and I designed and teach a degree level course “Environmental sustainability and social community work”.

I’m especially interested in Social Permaculture. I coordinate (with a team) the Ōrewa community garden and am the co-founder of Sustainable Ōrewa a local group promoting sustainable practices on the Hibiscus Coast.

I coordinate the Hibiscus North Community Resilience Group (CRG) and I have just started teaching teaching “Permaculture for the suburban backyard” an introduction to permaculture course. My role with the committee is Education Liaison. 

Alaina George – Secretary

Alaina has lived here in NZ since 2008 and have a young family with a home in Leigh.Alaina finished her PDC in 2023 and would like to continue my journey in Permaculture.  By joining the committee Alaina can contribute from her varied background while being part of the ever changing permaculture scene in NZ.  Alaina would love to grow her role within the committee as time rolls on.