HOME & LIVING the ultimate in recycling

I feel guilty. In fact I am guilty of excessively polluting our planet. As a member of the baby boomer genera- tion I have used more than my fair grey matters by Ruth Gerzon share of the planet’s limited resources.

I have clocked up fl ying miles, drive a car daily, have bought too many clothes and plastic items. So when I take my fi nal farewell from Earth the last thing I want to Eastern Bay Vil- do is to add to the poisons in the or air. lages has members How disrespectful that would be to Papatu- A fortnightly series for profi cient in crafts anuku, our mother, the Earth that gives us such as knitting life. seniors by Ruth Gerzon and crochet who from Eastern Bay Villages. are willing to share My friend, Honey Thrupp, fi rst alerted me these skills. If any to this issue following her research into the children or adults toxic chemicals used in and are keen to learn their eff ects. These leach into the soil and, The answer, it seems, is through a simple where the water table is high, seep into wa- process called natural . If we forgo crafts, do let me terways, making her concerned about the adding toxic chemicals through embalm- know. Taneatua that is close to the river. ing, we can be placed in a biodegradable coffi n or shroud or wrapped in whariki I checked this out with the Environmental (woven mats). Protection Agency. Their publications con- A small group of Eastern Bay Villages’ mem- fi rm that the chemicals are highly toxic and Then we can be buried in a shallow , bers now plan to encourage Whakatane Photo restoration great care is needed when handling them. allowing for microorganisms to aid decom- District Council to make this a reality here. Picture framing position. Natural burial is the ultimate in re- One member, recently arrived from Thames, Photo prints Honey notes that both Maori and Pakeha cycling. Burial sites, based on a landscaped talked to people there who supported the do not have to go far back in our history to plan, end up as a regenerating native forest Thames Coromandel District Council to set www.jos.co.nz the times before embalming was common. providing habitat for fl ora and fauna. one up. One woman was determined to hang 58 The Strand The practice only became widespread after on to life until the natural burial site was ready. Whakatane 3087428 World War II, when the United States Army A permanent record is kept, with a tree “I want to nourish a tree,” she said. I can only embalmed the bodies of soldiers before planted alongside with a biodegradable echo her hope. sending them home. She has looked into marker. Luckily, modern technology, in alternatives, and it seems that techni-ice the form of a GPS location data, ensures w293EB520889-17 packs can keep us presentable for up to fi ve my descendants can locate my burial site days after we take our last breath. in years to come. Taller canopy trees are planted later. Choosing this option means So, no embalming, but next I need to fi nd a my can fund restoration of land to a Hon Anne Tolley good way to dispose of my body. more natural state. is no panacea, I’m told, as it adds to pollu- MP FOR EAST COAST tion of the atmosphere. This vision of a natural burial site is a reality in 14 towns and cities in Aotearoa New Zea- Climate change and pollution can no longer land. There is even a volunter run national Invites everyone to meet MP for Northcote Dan Bidois be dismissed as inconsequential. The new organisation giving advice and support to (select committee Maori Affairs/shadow spokesperson workplace relations and safety) worldwide protest movement, now with councils wanting to develop such a facility (www.naturalburials.co.nz). They see their a nascent branch in Opotiki, is aptly called He went from high school drop out to Monday July 1 Rebellion. Our children and work as part of a wider movement to bring butcher’s apprentice to Harvard graduate grandchildren will live with, or die, as a about a psychologically healthier social at- and now party back bencher. 10am result of our actions. titude to death. @ The Bridge Club Commerce Street Whakatane

2pm @ Kawerau Konnect River Road Kawerau

Authorised by Anne Tolley, 5 Gladstone Rd, Gisborne. B625678AA

EBLIFE | Friday, June 28, 2019 11