Some really cool people

This week I thought for something completely different, I would let you have a peek at a couple of really good local stories that will give you an insight in some of the wonderful people we have living and working here on the Nature Coast.

Lets start with Josef and Maggie Kieninger.

A couple of years ago Joe and Maggie Kieninger discovered a rundown blueberry farm and turned it into a sanctuary. On these 11.5 acres of fertile land, just outside Levin, they grow blueberries to make jams, jellies, and juice. They also have newly redecorated bed and breakfast accommodation, a shop, an historic printing workshop, alpacas, artists’ studios, hazelnut and lime trees, and enough space for their future dream of a sculpture park.

Ironically, they left their stressful lives in Germany to take things a little easier, but Blueberry Art fills all their waking moments. “But it’s different,” says Joe. “In Germany we had a graphic design business and worked seven days a week for 20 years. We never saw each other and our lives were empty.” To read more, click here.

My second interesting story is that of Shelly Mitchell-Jenkins and the team at Colbert Cooper in Levin.

Shelly says a lot of people are starting to realise the importance of knowing what’s outside their front door: the need to get back to basics; living in smaller communities; making life less complicated; and being “engaged”.

to read more, click here

And finally for this week, the story of Dianne and David Goodin - also of Levin.

Levin Motor Camp has been owned by ex farmers, David and Diane Goodin, for 11 years. According to Holiday Parks Association New Zealand many kiwi motor camp owners used to be farmers. The Goodin’s used to manage a sheep, cattle and goat farm in Horowhenua - Diane also worked in a jewellery shop in Levin. “On one day I could be handling sheep in the morning and showing diamonds in the afternoon,” she says.

to read more, click here

Enjoy!
Chris