Newsletter update October 2021

Kia Ora everyone

We have  exciting news to share about our progress and ways in which you can get involved, including expressions of interest to join a future REN XUE community, submissions of ideas for social enterprises on the REN XUE farm, an opportunity to join the planning team and an invitation to visit the land in January 2022 for a family camping holiday!

For all the latest updates, you can also see this link to the recent presentation about the centre: SEE LINK HERE 

Community

We are still investigating options for the start of a community on James and Cat’s land in Golden Bay- getting advice from local planners to see what is possible here and what options there may be for residential dwellings on the farm. 

The community group has done valuable and heartfelt work to draft an application form and create a vision and values document.  Although there are still many questions to answer, we are now seeking expressions of interest to join the community and an indication of when people may be looking to join. 
Please email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information

For your interest we have attached the current version of the application form - the first 3 questions are what we need an answer to right now. However if you would like to fill in the form, please feel free as we welcome feedback in this process.

See LINK TO FULL APPLICATION FORM

MARIE LAURE AND VINCENT ARE MOVING TO GOLDEN BAY!

Marie-Laure and Vincent, based in Whangarei, made the announcement that they are preparing to move to Mohua (Golden Bay) in December 2020 to help with the project. They bring their passion and commitment to REN XUE with a particular interest in a healing centre and farming. We are very lucky that they are willing to take this great leap as there are still many unknowns around the project. (link to their story)

Farming

Our work continues to complete our due diligence for RXAA’s farm purchase at the end of November and to progress our planning application for the Retreat Centre. 
So far the reports we have had back concerning the quality of the farmland have been very positive.  Our Farm advisor, Steve Lee has been digging holes and has been very happy to find a beautiful soil full of worms! (if you haven’t already, check out the video!)
The plan is to take a slow approach, get to know the land intimately and form a relationship so we can understand what it’s needs are and where crops, animals and people will thrive.  The vision is still forming but we foresee a move towards more diversity and harmony. 

How you can get involved!
We are putting the call out now to invite ideas for social enterprises on the farm - have you always wanted to grow medicinal herbs?; start a bee-keeping business?; start a market garden?  
Let us know… Contact Ollie: [email protected]

Steering Group
Our Steering group consists of Ollie Clifton (project planner), Steve Lee (Farm advisor), Steve Campbell (Design), Marie- Laure and Vincent, Cat and Trina.  We have just said farewell to Isabel from Portugal who has been a great help and still inputs into the design team and also Natalie Meijer who has been an integral part of growing the project from it’s seed to it’s current progress. Many thanks for all the hard work and energy.

We are now looking for someone with skills in financial planning and budgeting 
to help us with the next steps.  
If you are interested in joining the team or would like to find out more please contact Ollie: [email protected]

Retreat Centre
Our design team has completed an architectural design ready to submit for resource consent once we have a few more items covered such as roading inspections.  Go team! They have been working so hard to collaborate and incorporate all the beautiful visions and input from the community as well as ensuring that it is in harmony with the  land and local community - beneficial for all!

Healing Centre
A small but perfectly formed working group has started to discuss what a REN XUE healing centre might look like and investigate options to use an existing building to get this up and running quite early on. This could act as a hub while the retreat centre build is gathering momentum and finances.

And Remember the REN XUE family SUMMER CAMP 15th -22nd January 2022 in Golden Bay. 
Contact Jay Glubb for details and to register interest: [email protected]

With 5 Xin

The REN XUE Retreat centre team