Kiwis!

[kyla]

I agree, not enough time! I have lots of saving to do still! Hehe.

So is anything happening this Saturday night in Auckland (other than the rugby)?

I haven't looked through the catalogue thingy at Centre Camp before, but I'm sure I can find it and look for the K card. Sounds like a great idea, and I'm free pretty much anytime for a BBQ! Will also definitely drop by Kidsville, that would be fun. Ooooh it's all getting so exciting!


- K

[chris]

hey everyone
how's all the plans going ?
i'm heading out to sanfran 15th aug, bought a van (bit off an indulgance)
but gives me more freedom, i'll spend sometime checking things out then
head to sparks and the burner hostel , i'm lucky enough to get to go out to the playa on 27th and help set up the hostel for fred which will be cool to see the place evolve so hope to see some of you there or there abouts
in the mean time take care
chris

[Yonder Burn]

Hi guys - well I am off across the pacific tomorrow (Sunday here in NZ) and have as much Burning Man costume etc that I can take. Whoo hoo !! Will be working until the week before BM and then once again making the drive to the beloved site. Its really BM for the rest of theyear for me now as I will get back in October and have to think about the preps for the New Years Nz burn number 2!! Hope you guys can come this year. Could you Chris (and others who have not done so already) please send me your emailt o go onto my email list. Its still developmental so you will not have seen it in action as yet.

Well, more from me when I get to North America re meeting up and celebrating our kiw burner critical mass at BM04.
Mark/Yonderxx

[Illiana]

Hello Everyone,

I look forward to seeing you all at Burningman. I'll be at the HeeBeeGeeBee Healers' Camp @Infinite Oasis, please come by and introduce yourself (I'll be "gifting" massages and reiki). I shall be gifting from the early afternoon on, beginning Friday (I'll be arriving Thursday evening,so I'll probably miss the Kiwi gtg ).

Chris: Sorry I didn't check on the Eplaya sooner, or else I would've taken the ferry over to Waiheke to visit with you. I left Auckland about a week ago and am now acclimating to warmer climes here in the Gold Coast of Australia. I'll be USA bound on August 13th and going back to the SF Bay Area to prepare for the event. I won't be back in NZ until mid-Oct.

Anxiously Anticipating,
Illiana

[Taniwha]

Playa report - (and now for something completely different) - here's the report I just wrote for our camp:

Just got back from 3 days on the playa. The conditions aren't much changed from last time we were there - the surface at the BM site is relatively hard, there's a still a very soft area north of the site (couldn't do more than about 60kph on it) which could yield lots of dust if we get a strong wind from the north. The weather was perfect - hot calm days, and warm nights. We had the 2nd part of a blue moon so there weren't many stars to see. DPW hadn't started laying out the city yet so things were still pretty quiet.


BTW looks like our BBQ has mutated back to its Thursday night cocktail form this year - I'll leave a note about location and time - if you don;t see anything try and run down 'moonbase' probably somewhere vaguely near Saturn/9:00

[Taniwha]

somewhere vaguely near Saturn/9:00

oops that should really be something like Saturn/3:00 (a few blocks in any direction) I'll leave a note

[Yonder Burn]

Hi kiwi burners - if any of you would like to be on the official NZ regional email list then please email me at [email protected] and I'll add ya.

Counting down, are we?????? I sure am.....
Yonder/Mark

[chris]

hey ho san francisco is anyone out there
drop me a line if your in sanfran
i'll be here for a few more days
[email protected]
c u soon

[kyla]

Hey everyone,

I'm getting to the butterflies-in-stomach stage now. Only one more day of work to go! I leave Monday 23rd and I can hardly wait.

Change of plans, I'm camping at Woonami Village, 7:00 and Earth.

So, let me get this straight:

- Mark/Yonderxx is camping at Kidsville with his four year old
- Taniwha is having BBQ Thursday night at Saturn/3:00
- Messages will be left on a card in the Playa Info card catalog under K for "Kiws!"

[Taniwha]

- Mark/Yonderxx is camping at Kidsville with his four year old
- Taniwha is having BBQ Thursday night at Saturn/3:00
- Messages will be left on a card in the Playa Info card catalog under K for "Kiws!"

sounds right to me - our camp is called 'Moonbase', our BBQ has morphed back into it's older coctail party at dusk form this year - have a great trip!

Since we've already started cleaning up our lives for our big trip - I'm afraid can't offer anyone any emergency crash space etc etc - but I've lived in the US 20 years now, know my way around, if any of you are you're stuck, need some advice, find the language and/or customs just too confusing etc etc please write down this phone number (510)290-7172 and give me a call it will work up untill we hit the playa (Monday) and after the burn for a couple of weeks untill we leave the country

[kyla]

I am currently suffering through my last day of work before I leave

I am really looking forward to seeing some, if not all of you on the playa! It's been really great finding other Kiwis who make the trek. You guys rule. I hope to see you there!


- Love Kyla

[kyla]

I forgot to say... if you're listening to Burning Man Radio, keep an ear out for some of my music!

Only two more days until I leave! Wohoo!

[Yonder Burn]

Hey all - come by kidsville Weds around 7 for a bit of a kiwi potluck. I am not gonna be able to make Taniwhas potluck (Thursday is full as) so I reckon we can do two kiwi potlucks. Could you guys make Weds? Sorry for late notice.

I am getting excited reading all this excitement. Kyla you might be onthe plane the same day as Jane and Lewis (my wife and son). Two out for the two blondies, both with glasses.

Ihave sent out the first kiwi burning man note to the newlty created email list. I will also paste below.

Yonderx

[Yonder Burn]

Email me at [email protected] if you wish to be added to the email list.
Ym


Greetings,
Welcome to the first ever email of the first-ever email list for New Zealand burners!! You have been placed on this list as you have either contacted me in the past about kiwi burner activities, or I have decided that you should be included. I welcome you to forward more email addresses to me of people who would like to be involved, informed or enlightened!!

I am the NZ Regional for Burning Man, so my role is to be something of a male “mistress of communication” for kiwi burners, and to organise at least one regional burn event per year. I have had a long association with the Burning Man festival (will be going to my 8th burn this year due to a combo of living in the States in the 90s and continuing to work there for a month or so on an annual basis), so becoming the NZ Regional and “bringing it home” has been a natural progression. Many of you will have heard about the kiwiburn event I organised at Visionz festival in Golden Bay at New Years. I plan to organise at least one event per year at that same time, but it would of course be great to do more.

So on the topic of the next kiwiburn. Future Visionz festivals may be in jeopardy because the site in Golden Bay has had a landowner change, and Visionz gods Mike and Selene are currently negotiating with the new owners over continuation of the festival at the site. I therefore have to tell you at this stage that our next kiwiburn event does not have a home as yet. I can say that it will happen at New Years, and will more than likely be in the South Island. So those of you starting to think about travel, think in terms of being in the South Island over New Years and I will of course update you as soon as I can.

What will happen at the next kiwiburn? Well, in a festival setting I’d like to see something of a burner camp, though this is not essential. It could be anything from a theme camp to no more than just the organisers camped together. However, you all might like the idea of camping together, so let me hear your feedback. The man will be built from driftwood this year, and hopefully be around 20 ft in height. This will be my weekend project when I get back from working in the States in late Sept. A Golden Bay/Nelson area location for the festival/burn would allow friend and performance art guru Grant-Tribull Drum-Knowles et al to assist with decorating the site and putting together a fire/drum dance procession through the festival to the man as we did last year. We started the procession at dusk on 1 Jan and by the time we got to the man we had about 200-300 people, with lots of beautiful percussion, fire and cheer. I’ll remember it for life.

Now, a note to kiwis heading to the playa in a week. First thing to say is WHOOOO HOOO!!! Seocnd thing, and I am leaving it late, is that I would like to arrange a kiwi get together at my camp at Kidsville. Kidsville will be obvious on the Burning Man map and its at 5:30 and Earth. If you could come by around dinner time (say 7) on Wednesday armed with some food and drink we could have a little bit of a potluck. Let me know if you can come, or can come Tuesday as an alternative (Thursday onwards is pretty busy). Look for our humble little camp ( a few tents and white 4wd) on the opposite side of Kidsville to the portaloos, and next to or part of “Story Telling Camp”. I will try to put up a kiwi flag if I can find one (forgot to bring one over).

That’s all for now folks.

Mark, aka Yonder Man, NZ Burning Man Regional )’( )’( )’( )’( )’(
Xx

PS I should have added that if you want off this email list then just let me know.

[Taniwha]

Thanks - we'll try and make it - we might come a little late (Wed is our night to cook for our camp .... we'll either try and switch nights or show up with something to drink a little late).

As I mentioned before we've changed our potluck to just "cocktails" on Thursday night - so show up and get sloshed ....but eat first

[Yonder Burn]

Cool - Looking forward to seeing you T ! Will also do what I can to get to your cocktail hour

I just got an email from the Visionz festival people and they say that Visionz won't be happening this year. So the kiwiburn will have to happen at another New Years festival. Back to the drawing board, not that its gonna be difficult to find another place...

Yonder

[kyla]

Great, great year for me this year!! Nice to meet all you lovely Kiwis and sorry Taniwha for not making it to the cocktails.

Here's a photo from the pot luck, taken during one of the dustiest days/nights on the Playa!

<img src="http://kyla.randomhuman.com/images/bman ... 004-13.jpg">

If you're interested, I have some more <a href="http://kyla.randomhuman.com/images/bman2k4">here</a>.

So what's next?

[Tuatha]

I was wondering where all the other Kiwi's were hiding, And what do ya know, I find you all here... after the burn :)

This year was my First burn, I ended up Camping with Young Chris from waiheke island, it was AMAZING, one of the best experience of my life im already planning a trip back next year!

Its great to see there are More kiwi burners out there!

Ps, Was this anyone's camp? http://www.webfroot.co.nz/fnord/gallery ... 4/DSC02484
We saw the Kiwi flag and swung by to say hi but the resident kiwi wasn't home :)

[funkmonsta]

Hi peeps, my name's Stefan Broadley (aka Funk Monsta to anyone that listens to 95 bFM) and I've been to Burning Man for 7 years in a row - 5 of them travelling from NZ.

I now live in America (LA) I've organised theme camps, theme Villages, art cars, shot Burning Man Documentaries, done multi-media performances, DJed, art installations, blah blah blah and now I help organise LA Burning Man Regional events. So I just thought I'd toss my hat in the ring there in case any Kiwi burners are coming to LA and need a place to stay, or just hook into the Burn community over here. The parties are pretty fucking wild as you can probably imagine.

Also I thought I'd add that Amanda Wright and Alan Green who organise (the Burning Man inspired) Splore festival are long time Burners as well, and I keep hearing of other pockets of Kiwi infiltration as well. (I seem to remember hearing that OJ and the Rhythm Slave shot a doco there once)

Good to see a kiwi Burn community developing. And yes, be evangelistic. Preach to all your friends to come next year. This is the kind of counter culture that could florish in NZ, (and since the re-election of George Bush there's a lot of talk in the Burn Community over here to exodus to NZ) The top Burning Man organiser are VERY aware of the New Zealand involvement, and (since Lord of the Rings) NZ is seen as something of a Shangri La here in California.

But first we need a critical mass of kiwis to experience it first hand, and have their minds blown. I'm a professional DJ and event promoter and I've been to parties all over world, but nothing even comes close to the radical shit brewing in the Burn Community. Obviously I'm preaching to the converted here on this site, but hey, just letting you know that there's a Kiwi burner here in LA. Cheers all, and keep it burning. Stef.

[Yonder Burn]

Hola Kiwiburners,

As promised, here is our official information blurb on
the kiwiburn2 Burning Man gathering. We will hold the
event from 2nd to 4th Jan 2005 as the guests of the
Rainbow Community in Anatoki Valley near Takaka,
Golden Bay, South Island, New Zealand. The attached
map from Grant will provide directions to the site
(hope it turns out….let me know if not..the site is
marked the red and pink boxes). The site is in a
narrow grassy valley surrounded by bush covered hills,
and with a large swimming hole nearby. The site is
adjacent to the Rainbow Community houses etc. Grant
has visited the site and spoken at length with the
community members. They are really into the event and
will also take part in the burn. The officials in the
local council have just today permitted the event.
Whoo hoo!! Here are some specifics you need to know:

-We have a camping site (actually just a grassy field
with a water tap) that will fit up to 200 people if
necessary, and will be separate from the site of the
burn. On the night of the 3rd Jan we will have a
procession from the camping site to the burn site (200
m distance). We will also have access to the swimming
hole (handy for washing, though there is also a tap at
the camp site), but other parts of the community will
be off limits.
-Bring camping gear, wet weather gear, food, cooking
gear etc, insect repellent, sunscreen, loo paper,
hayfever meds etc….all the logical things people take
on camping trips in New Zealand.
-Takaka town is quite close to the site, so supplies
can be gathered there before and during our gathering.
-Arrive anytime on the 2nd Jan, or come earlier and
help out (see below).
-Bring musical instruments. There will be no power at
the site so your instruments should be able to be used
without power.
-We cannot have a fire at the camp site, but that is
only relevant for the night of the 2nd Jan as we will
be burning the man on the next night!
-We have no idea how big the event will be, and how
the word will get around. We expect at least 50 to be
present.
-We will need to give a koha (money donation) for the
use of the property, and will pass a hat round at the
camp to get one together. We are not getting any money
from Burning Man or any other sources, so your help
will be greatly appreciated.
-We have to be off site by the evening of the 4th Jan
-There are 29 people living at Rainbow community and
they will come to the burn
-We ask that there be no drug taking in front of the
Rainbow community children, or in front of any
children for that matter.
-The event will be clothes optional.
-The toilets will be squatters and we will have to dig
these ourselves. This will involve digging a trench as
far away from the campsite as possible, and having it
screened from view by way of a big tarp. This system
has worked well in Rainbow gatherings we’ve been to in
the past.
-Its fine to drum and make music all night if the
energy is there.
-The event is open to all. You are encouraged to bring
your like-minded family, friends and sweeties along.
-Also you are encouraged to bring stuff e.g. costumes,
trinkets, ornaments, structures, messages to loved
ones living or not etc that you’d like to use to
decorate the site and/or to add to the man for the
burn.

-SETUP HELP NEEDED. We would like up to 6 people who
are enthusiastic and good workers to come a few days
early (e.g. New Years eve or New Years day) to help
dig the loos and any other wee jobs we need to do like
collect fire wood but we also assume that when people
arrive on the 2nd they will be willing to chip in and
help (thanks to those of you who have indicated they
could help out). Email me and Grant to let us know if
you can help, and when you could arrive. Grants email
address is [email protected] on the email list,
and you know mine.

We hope that as many of you come to the event as
possible. This is kiwiburn2, but the first standalone
kiwi burning man event (kiwiburn1 was part of the
Visionz festival). Please come and be part of making
and shaping what kiwiburn is about.

Email us if you have any questions, [email protected]
We’ll look forward to seeing you at kiwiburn2!

Mark Stirling, aka Yonder Man &
Grant Knowles, aka Tribull Man
New Zealand Burning Man Regionals
)*( )*( )*( )*( )*( )*( )*( )*( )*( )*( )*(
)*( )*( )*( )*( )*( )*( )*( )*( )*( )*( )*(

Ps lovely to hear from you Stef! I will have to catch you when I am next working in LA (an annual thing)

[Taniwha]

sadly we wont be able to make it - settling down in NZ is taking way too much time and effort, and I've spent too long away from my job travelling the world on our way back home .... next year we'll come and I promise to bring art (whoever he is)

However I have stayed at Rainbow Valley over new years in the past (20 years ago ... back when Waitati where I lived and the Rainbows had a strong connection) - it's a wonderfull place - with a couple of exceptions .... #1 would be the sandflies .... make sure you bring repellent (esp. for your kids) - the locals seem imune and they don't bother them ... and #2 would be the sunburn (20 years ago I remember all these young Wellington Goth/Punks who never saw the outside with their white white skin turning bright red) so just do what you'd normally do on the playa lots of sunscreen (do they make a repellent unscreen?)

[Yonder Burn]

Hey there Burners.. Hope yo u are all making plans to come to kiwiburn...Email me at [email protected] for details for our 2-4 Jan event. Latest addition to plans is to have a big tent for general use (call it a chill space, orgy dome, whatever the purpose).

Taniwha - sorry you can't make it this year. Will catch you at the next one. Kyla - hope you decide to come.

Markxx