Kiwiburn News!

KB09 dates. It’s decided. KB09 will remain a 3-day event and will be held from Thursday, February 5 (10 am) through Sunday, February 8 (10 am). The Man burns Saturday night.

Ex-Com Member updates. Over the last few months we’ve had a couple of changes to the ex-com. Jonthan ‘Helix’ Beza decided to step down after a year of committee service so that he could dedicate more time to his KB interests of running the Pink Moa theme camp and working on an art project. Thank you Jonathan for all your great work during the year! We’ll see you on the paddock! In April, we welcomed aboard Rich ‘Rich.d.Rich’ Parratt (famous for bringing us the Dodgy Roger at KB08) and in June we welcomed Rowena ‘Serendipity’ Budd (from Polly’s Put the Kettle On) to the committee. These two bring a lot of new enthusiasm to the committee and we’re excited to have them on the team! Welcome!

New Arts Grant Program! Yes, we are happy to report that Kiwiburn is officially starting an arts grant program. And we’re happy to announce that for KB09, we will have $2000 to give away in grant monies thanks to an additional grant from Destination Taupo (thank you!). Details of the granting process and program can be found on the Kiwiburn website here!

Our first ever annual general meeting was held in June. Approximately 15 people were teleconferenced into the meeting from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Agenda items included the Chairperson’s Report, Election of new Big Nob, Treasurer’s Financial Report, and more. You can read about the details of the meeting on the forums here and here. And the Chairperson’s report can be found here.

March 15-16, 2008

Auckland Decompression
by Rowena, aka “Serendipity” Budd

Yet another gorgeous weekend in Auckland’s endless and somewhat dry summer saw the Waiheke Domes host to the ‘08 Decompression party for the Auckland contingent of Kiwiburners on March 15/16. The Wellington Burners had had their fun – albeit, damp – Decom a few weeks previous [thanks for hosting me, you Welly Wonderfuls], it was great to see you all again].

Back on the Island… A few of the locals and young city-siders had already made a start on the partying on the Friday night, but once they were rested and the balance of the party-goers arrived throughout Saturday, the Decom weekend was in full swing. The usual suspects of JAFAB and Trailer Trash were present, as well as Drop Zone and Camp Pedro representatives. There must have been upwards of 50 people – Kiwiburners and other guests as well.

The Domes’ back yard garden, complete with sofa and fire-pit, was the scene of much Kiwiburn style party shenanigans. Couch ninjas came and conquered throughout the night, morphing from empty squabs to unidentifiable human masses under blanket in the blink of an eye (apparently the effort at maintaining couch dominion remains in contention however, as it was host to Bacon for sun-up).

The addition of some random performances burnified the event for me [sure I was one of the ‘perpetrators’, so of course I’m biased], but it was good to see something a bit different happening within the party: expression, creativity, performance.

Some woman dressed up colourful-like and read aloud to a newly participatory audience, which in turn warmed them up for Piha Jen and the Colourful One to read stories from The Vagina Monologues. Well done Jen, for a stellar characterisation of My Angry Vagina. Yes, rather an unusual topic for presentation, but an informative and enlightening experience don’t you think guys?!

We Auckland Kiwiburners were also graced with the presence of a few out of towners who’d made a mammoth journey north to join us from Christchurch and Wellington; Hippie and our esteemed documentarist Bunny. Plus current travel residents Squirrel, Anne Bonny and DougalDutch were still partying on under the influence of NZ hospitality.
The Decompression was an excellent party to continue the Kiwiburn memories and vibe. Many thanks to Kiwi, Hidive and Ingrid for hosting the event, and allowing us to make it a party space and a home for the weekend. Not to forget the roast for dinner, and bacon and eggs for breakfast… Kiwi you’re a gem.

If I’ve forgotten anyone or anything, aroha mai, forgive me (spanking welcome); this is just one person’s take on a weekend full of individual characters creating a Kiwi-spirited Burning Man. You’re all amazing.

November 23-25, 2007:

Howdy all,

So the first ever Kiwiburn Work Weekend has come and gone and was a tremendous success.

A big THANK YOU goes out to the crew who came from Wellington..Wendy, Johnathan, Jezz, Rich and Polly and the Auckland crew Sam, Karl, Lilly, Poppy, Linus, Dave, Jen, Ants, Shelley, Kyla, Hidive, Ingrid, Jamie and Eric the couch surfing Californian. Jack and Jen arrived from Tauranga midday Sunday with cold beers and he cofirmed that the Fire Camp will be in the same place as this year, so fun and flames in the Village Square.

For some of the crew it was their first visit to Whakamaru and the weather worked with us all weekend including rain only on the Friday night/early Saturday morning, glorious and hot sunshine during the days, an amazing sunset on Saturday night and a complete fog out for those that stayed the distance through till dawn Sunday (some one has to keep vigil during the night while most of us sleep)

Projects achieved…

Grubbing of the thistles, which gave everyone a chance to wander the paddocks digging and hacking at the prickly bastards and take in once again the majestic and peace full place that we have to play on.

Painting of the toilet block, not the easiest of jobs as they are rough texture plastered concrete block work and even armed with fluffy rollers and 4 inch brushes it was a mission but the result was out standing. There is still the mens toilets to paint for which we might bring a spray unit down next time just so we can have more time to play…

Village Planning, lots and lots of discussion as to what goes where, like the large sound camps, theme camps and general and quiet camping zones.Community craft and village square location, where the Man and the Temple will be placed, allowing access for the Volunteer Fire Brigade and many more other considerations.

We also had a meet up, on Saturday, with Tina Jakes who is Taupo District Councils, Mangakino Community Manager. She is a great lady and fully supports what we Kiwiburners are doing as far as the festival goes as well as our general community involvement. The Council supplied the paint and some brushes for the toilet block.

Kirsty Truman from SLAM (Sports and Leisure Association of Mangakino) visited on Sunday and we had a great introductory meeting and she outlined their involvement in the Domain in regards to the Motor Cross tracks that will be established there next year. SLAM is also taking over part, if not the whole less of the Domain when Keven Harrison’s (the present holder of the lease and farmer of the Domain) lease runs out in May 2008. Kirsty is also very supportive of Kiwiburn and can see us both collaborating well together.

So folks all and all a very successful weekend and a bonus for some of the city dwellers to get out onto our beautiful land and soak it up even if we had to negotiate the lagre amount of fresh cow pads lovingly placed by the beasties.

We will have another Work Weekend hopefully in early January so stay tuned for updates.

See you at the Burn

Kiwi

Kiwiburn08 posters are available here now: download A3 size here [pdf] and A4 size here [pdf]. You, participants of the community, are free to dowload, print, and post around your home community and bring awareness to the event as you see fit.

Combust in Unity Morphman Guidelines: It’s time to get started with your morphman art project! Yes, this year’s theme encourages everyone to bring or make on site a little personal icon of whatever tickles your fancy to be burned communally with Sunday night’s burning of the man. You do not need to register your morphman as a separate art installation unless your artwork is going to be more than 2 metres tall. See the art installation set up guide for general guidelines. Also all morphmen will be screened for burnability by our Health & Safety Officer – so think wood, cardboard, paper mache. Use paints made for kids (drinkable and therefore non-toxic!). Absolute No-No’s: Anything that gives off toxic fumes is not acceptable for burning: polystyrene, plastics, rubber spring and most paints. Avoid the use of nails and screws where possible because after the burn these must be picked up individually from the burn site.