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Alternative Lives – Sustainable living
Although sustainable living has been gathering a more mainstream profile recently, it is still often thought of as an “alternative” style of living. It is still a scary concept to think of “living off the grid” (people who are self sufficient in generating their power needs) and not many people live in straw bale houses for example. But in recent times Christchurch has been home to two notable pioneers of promoting sustainable living through fostering urban communities, recycling, growing your own food and caring for the environment.
The ‘Avon Loop’ community of the 1970’s brought together, among others, the late Rod Donald and Elsie Locke, to share their vision for sustainable living in the city.
Rod Donald (1957 - 2005)
Rod Donald was a Christchurch-based Green politician who promoted ways of acting and living in an alternative manner, with his involvement in pioneering organisations Ecology Action, Piko Wholefoods and Trade Aid.
In 1972, as a fifteen year old, he started an Ecology Action group at his school in Christchurch, and used the swimming pool changing sheds to store huge piles of newspaper - enough to delay the start of the school swimming season for a week.
When he moved to live in Christchurch’s inner city Avon Loop area in the later 1970s he helped develop a loose community of households with a common vision of sustainable living. They would meet regularly for a “Community Crumble” – a weekly community event based around the sociable consumption of fruit crumbles.
Initiatives which grew from this community included a community newspaper – the Avon Loop Community News – and a small business – Piko Wholefoods. Rod was also involved with Trade Aid, the Tenants Protection Association and Values Party and Green Party political campaigns.
From 1989 to 1993, Rod Donald was the National Spokesperson for the Electoral Reform Coalition, which successfully advocated for the MMP system for Parliamentary elections. He entered parliament in 1996 and was co-leader of the Green Party until his untimely death in 2005.
We recommend: Rod Donald resources
- Rod Donald - biography from Wikipedia
- Piko Wholefoods - organic food shop in inner city Christchurch.
- Avon Loop Community News - community newsletter associated with the Avon Loop community. Record of copies held in by Christchurch City Libraries.
- Trade Aid - not for profit fair trading organisation with headquarters and shops in Christchurch.
Elsie Locke (1912 – 2001)
Elsie Locke was born in Waiuku and graduated from Auckland University. She moved to Christchurch with her husband Jack and lived in the same cottage in the Avon Loop for over 40 years. Elsie wrote extensively – for children, about New Zealand history and about the peace movement. She was a lifelong political activist, peace campaigner and feminist. She was active at community level in the Avon Loop, as well as campaigning to retain and improve the Centennial Pool. (The neighbouring park is named after her). She was a key figure in the restoration, with native plants, of the banks of the Avon as it flowed through the Avon Loop.
We recommend: Elsie Locke resources
- Elsie Locke - fact sheet about Elsie Locke. From Christchurch City Libraries
- Elsie Locke: 1912 - 2001 - essay about Elsie Locke by economist, Brian Easton. Gives background on her political thinking in particular.
- Elsie Locke - books, other writings and resources by Elsie Locke held in the Christchurch City Libraries.
Also see our feature on Different Thinkers in Christchurch and Canterbury.
We recommend: Sustainability resources
See our online resources:
- Sustainable Living - Christchurch City Libraries’ guide to all aspects of sustainability.
- Sustainability – our localeye recommended sustainability websites for Christchurch and Canterbury.
- Ecobob – Gateway site to ecoliving in New Zealand. Articles, information, directory of eco products. It also includes a number of ecoblogs where people are sharing their progress along the path to sustainable living.
Browse the resources in our libraries:
Our libraries have a wide range of material about sustainability:
