Shout out to Common Ground supporters of 2023

Tautoko to those that have contributed to Common Ground (and my) ability to make a positive impact toward housing systems change and towards housing that is more affordable, connected, and resilient.? All these people are heart-centred, passionate, and committed to making a positive difference for communities and Aotearoa. What rich social capital we have together.

In no particular order, you all are equally wonderful, important, and special to me!? (and I’m sorry if I’ve left off anyone here, which I'm sure I have.)

Having my own housing security has contributed a lot to my mental wellbeing and ability to focus on and do my work (rather than packing, unpacking, searching for a place to live and shifting homes every few months).?

So, my first shout out is to my dear mother, Ellen Rose, who left me an inheritance to buy my tiny home.?And for all her love, support, and wisdom throughout my life to get me this far.

To Riverside Community where I have been given housing security of a site for my home and to be a part of this vibrant and values-driven intentional community and particularly Verena Gruner who liaised with the Trust to secure my spot.? And to the folks at Riverside who helped me with tools and labour along with many friend volunteers to get set up.

To my business mentors Stephen Broad-Paul and Raz Zulfiqar who have helped me think through ideas, connect me to influential people, and been very encouraging.? Stephen also helped me into the Primetime Senior Business Development programme.

Client/partners who trust me to help them with their audacious, important, and precious housing initiatives and housing strategies and who pay for my services so I can keep doing this work.? This includes Karen Summerhays of the Whakatāne District Council , Zahra Lightway M.Ed. and Michael m Mayell of the NeighbourGood ecovillage initiative, and Rowan Brooks of a suburban cohousing retrofit.

To Julie Scott of the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust for being the first Common Ground podcast-video show sponsor for two episodes.? Show starting mid-Jan.? Possible name: Homefullness: change-making conversations advancing housing for people and planet.?

Thank you to show guests who’ve already been interviewed: Peter Southwick on Bridge Housing Charitable Trust and Aksel Bech on the Waikato Housing Initiative and Inclusionary Housing policy.? Thanks to Paul McGregor for his podcasting tips and his own inspiring show, Beyond Consultation.

To Chris Glaudel at Community Housing Aotearoa Ngā Wharerau o Aotearoa who sponsored me a ticket to the Community Housing Aotearoa conference so I could network with influential people in this key sector driving housing affordability and housing as a human right.? I made a great connection with Annie Wilson of Kāinga Maha who also values resident-focused design.

For Silvana Erenchun Perez at Shama Ethnic Women's Trust for supporting my research project and report on Enabling Housing for Ethnic Women and bringing me to Hamilton for a community-based workshop exploring the topic.? I’m grateful for Victoria Crockford for being enthusiastic to bring this kaupapa into a more collaborative and influential space.

For the women who believe in the kaupapa of Women Revolutionising Housing network, who came to the retreat, who donated to the retreat, who gave presentations to our online learning events.? These include: Thalea Tane , Amanda Scothern , Bronwen Newton , Juli U. , Robin Allison , Tessa Mackenzie , Simone Woodland and many more…

For James Winter and The Housing Innovation Society (THIS) for inviting me onto the organising team and sponsoring me to attend the CoHoHui—with great presentations and networking to advance collective housing.

For Akasadaka Robison for his commitment to The Regenerative Practitioner weekly sessions and offering his time to resource and support me as a regenerative practitioner.

For IAP2 Australasia to give me a grant to run a local Community Engagement Practitioner event in my region for us to network, grow our connections, and learn together. Thank you to everyone who came and made the event fun.

To folks in my Regenerative and Tiny Home Community Think Tank, including Ian McComb , Tejas Engel, Charlie Thomson, and Chad Carter who show up to share their wins, their challenges, and their resources so we can learn more together to succeed with these innovative regenerative projects and neighbourhoods.? Thanks to Greg Hart for your donation to cover my running costs.

To people who gave me their valuable input on my PhD proposal entitled: Enabling residential ecovillages as a means to providing affordable housing and social, cultural, economic and ecological regeneration to rural areas in Aotearoa (for which I’m searching for funding) including Clare Mouat , Kelly Dombroski , mark southcombe , Mark Kroening, and Jessamie Yule .

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The Networkers NZ , my local networking group in Motueka for their weekly dose of support and inspiration including Cara Wylde and others.?

My home was built by Ben of Littlefoot Homes and shifted by Angus of Tiny Towing Solutions. ?

Thank you all for a most wonderful and successful year.? I look forward to continuing to build our collaboration, beneficial outcomes, and having fun together in the coming year.