Author
Mike Peters

Prior Publication
The Bush Telegraph

Hybrid
Over the last two years, the Society has become an unusual hybrid. It is a strong community organisation in Addington, Christchurch, with eight very successful projects. It is also the core of a national network of about 1000 individuals and groups involved in their own projects who create and use shared resources. This interesting development with its mixed objectives is creating both opportunities and inefficiencies.

Addington Bush
In 1994 in Addington a group of residents decided to tear down their fences and establish a common area of native bush. They then set up the Addington Bush Society Inc. to purchase and own a core area called the "Eel Creek Reserve". Eight similar projects in surrounding streets comprise the Addington Bush project.

Bush Society
In response to widespread media coverage and public interest, in 1996 the Addington Bush Society Inc. agreed to sponsor the establishment of a much wider community network to make it simpler for residents, schools and farmers to set up their own areas of bush. This network has become known as the "Bush Society", but it is still operating as part of the Addington Bush Society Inc. and under the terms of the Addington Bush Society's constitution.

Future Options
In my opinion, to simplify matters it is very likely that two separate organisations will need to be established in a carefully thought out fashion by members. But nothing immediate is required. It would be good to get letters from interested members about what you think.

Keywords
NZERN  Addington Bush 

Updated 20/11/2008 4.08AM by PIPI4