Our volunteer family is growing, and we have a new blogger to re-kindle the Kiwiburn Blog. Meet our brilliant new blogger, Navigator!
Tell us a little about yourself
I originally hail from the US. I have lived in Aotearoa for ten years now (best life decision I ever made). My tertiary education is in Metalsmithing and Glassworks. I have the patience to move things that are challenging to move. I attended my first Burn in 2011 and to date, I have participated in eight Burns, including Burning Man.
Firstly, what does the blogger role involve?
I have a passion for Kiwiburn, what makes it tick, and bringing that message to the wider community. The Communications Team has undergone a massive expansion as of late and I am excited to be a part of it.
How do you spend your time when you are not doing things related to Kiwiburn?
Time spent in between Burns has mainly been focussed on closing the gap between the ‘default world’ and the ‘Paddock life.’ I am constantly looking for ways that I can be the most honest expression of myself and carry out the 10 principles in all aspects of my life.
Being involved with Kiwiburn can take a lot of energy. How do you re-energise?
Volunteering for a year-round role for the Burn has been a long-term goal of mine. This is new territory for me. Volunteering each year on the Paddock, I try to strike a good balance between my responsibilities and my playtime. Playtime is generally the re-charge, but responsibly-planned volunteer-time can also be extremely re-energising.
Do you have a favourite Burn outfit?
My burn outfit found me. It is a blend of practicality and instinctive self-expression. It is functional, has options depending on the weather, and is easy to quickly sort out before a volunteer shift.
What skills have you learned by being involved with Kiwiburn?
Where to even begin!? I have learned so much about dealing with consent issues and being proactive about consent within the community. I have developed useful communication skills as well as some noteworthy emergency response skills.
What has been your favourite moment at a Burn?
My favourite moment(s) at a Burn have come from working Gate. Gate provides me with the opportunity to be the first person that welcomes Burners home (sorry Greeters!) Also, I have found that, through the magic of the Paddock, many of the people that I really need to connect with happen to come through on my shifts. It is truly a special experience and has often set the tone for my Burn.
What are you most excited about for Kiwiburn 2021?
I loved the female energy that was cast over the Paddock last year thanks to the Effigy, it seemed to enable a more open and fluid conversation around consent. I hope we can see more of this going forward. Bring on the Mythical Picnic!
