Zola interviews Lyndall Parris, founder and resident of Narara Ecovillage on Australia’s central, east coast (about an hour north of Sydney), about what it takes to create and lead an intentional ecovillage from vision to reality and what daily life feels like there.

The episode outlines Narara’s cooperative membership model (including the $30,000 buy-in), efforts toward affordability and intergenerational living through CLAN, and key sustainability infrastructure such as a smart grid and localized water systems.

Lyndall shares the long fundraising and development journey (including setbacks during the financial crisis of 2008, the 2012 tender to buy the property, and 2013 settlement), reflects on belonging, kindness, and ongoing conflict-resolution work.

Lyndall offers her free PDF book for those wanting to learn from their model and, of course, to visit their website.

00:52 Narara Ecovillage 101: Location, Land & Community Layout

02:07 How Membership Works: Co‑op Buy‑In, Responsibilities & Building Standards

03:18 Making It Affordable: CLAN, Shared Shares & Attracting Younger Families

05:16 Sustainability Systems: Smart Grid Energy + Water & Sewage Independence

06:28 Visit & Learn More: Website, Tours, Getting There from Sydney

07:33 Defining “Homefullness”

09:09 From Sheep Farm to “We Could Live Differently”

11:28 Courage to Build an Ecovillage: One Step at a Time (The Elephant Story)

13:54 Finding the Land + The Great Financial Crisis Setback (2008–2012)

16:43 Keeping the Dream Alive: Open Days, Newsletters & Founder Stamina

20:43 Life as a Resident: Kindness, Events, Healthier Living & Nature Connection

26:07 Not Utopia: Governance, Conflict Resolution & Personal Growth Ripples

29:39 Founder Fuel: “What’s In It for Me?” Avoiding Burnout + Financing Returns

31:33 From Setbacks to Solidarity: Building Trust to Fund the Land Purchase

33:20 Women Revolutionizing Housing Network: Monthly Meetups & How to Join

34:24 The $5M Tender Strategy: Pledges, Co-op Setup, and 24 ‘Pioneers’

37:53 2012–2013: Settlement, Early Works, and Recruiting a Project Director

39:00 Paying the Professionals: Commercial Rates, Deferred Fees, and Success-Based Compensation

40:50 Member-Funded Infrastructure: Installments, Bridging Loans, and Keeping Banks Out

43:01 Co-op Membership & Shares: The $30k Buy-In, Assets, and Creative Affordability

44:38 Community-Building Practices: Weekly Zooms, Alliances, and Staying Connected

46:15 The Ecovillage Mission: Economic, Environmental, and Social ‘Three-Legged Stool’

50:21 Charitable Arm & Tax-Deductible Giving: The Eco Living Network Explained

52:49 Sharing the Model: Website Resources, Free PDF Book, and ‘Joy of Purpose’ Workshop

55:20 Inspiration & Closing Reflections: Spiritual Practices, Nature, and Next Steps

Links:

https://youtu.be/x_RYTEx1Cxk

https://nararaecovillage.com/

https://nararaecovillage.com/2022/12/lyndall-and-dave/

https://www.commonground.net.nz/

In this episode, host Zola Rose interviews Zola Ndimande, a Zulu woman from KwaZulu Natal South Africa about her return to her ancestral land to build her own home using traditional earth building methods, and integrating into that community-focused way of living in relationship with people and relationship with the elements.

The discussion covers a range of topics such as traditional housing construction methods, indigenous community living, tribal land stewardship and right to occupy vs ownership, tribal authority vs regulatory governance, traditional ceremonies for returning to occupy land, and the balance between modern and indigenous ways of building and living.

Zola provides insights into the communal support systems prevalent in Zulu communities, the challenges of integrating modern aspirations with traditional values, and the importance of maintaining cultural rituals and land stewardship.

The conversation also touches on the parallels between Zulu and Maori cultures, highlighting the universal human need for community and connection to land.

Zola Rose refers to another episode (May 2025) where she interviews her daughter Oriah about growing up, learning, and creating a home in a similar way when they lived near a Zulu community in KwaZulu Natal South Africa.

02:18 Land Rights and Ancestral Connections

03:36 Community and Tribal Land Systems

10:07 Ceremonies and Traditions in Zululand

17:44 Building with Natural Materials

21:12 Community-Based Tourism and Integration

30:48 Learning the Basics of Cob Building

31:38 Building a Home While Pregnant

32:06 Construction Timeline and Techniques

33:35 Inspiration to Build My Own House

35:29 Exploring the Land and Community

37:07 Traditional vs. Modern Building Materials

39:01 The Importance of Community Support

41:43 Challenges and Legislation in Building

43:16 Sustainable Living Practices

57:42 Cultural Reflections and Language

Your reflections are welcome--we'd love to hear from you. Email to zola@commonground.net.nz

Zola Rose interviews Magda Garbarczyk from Fine Line Architecture about the 'Straw Lines' project, a modular housing system using low carbon materials like straw and timber to address New Zealand's housing crisis, climate change, unhealthy and expensive building materials, and waste from the agricultural sector.

The project aims to reconnect traditional building methods with modern practices, promote community involvement, and reduce environmental impact.

Magda, alongside collaborator Min Hall, discusses their design competition entry focused on carbon-negative construction that uses locally sourced materials and prefabricated straw panels, making housing construction faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly.

Furthermore, they explore the potential for community-led and neighbourhood-scale building initiatives to enhance affordability and sustainability.

Links:

https://www.finelinearchitecture.co.nz/projects/strawlines

https://www.commonground.net.nz/

https://thehousinginnovationsociety.com/

00:49 The Relevance of Sustainable Building Materials

02:10 Magda Gik's Architectural Journey

03:09 Project Collaboration and Research

06:26 Historical Context of Building Traditions in Aotearoa

07:44 Straw Lines: Design and Implementation

10:24 Research and Development of Prefabricated Panels

17:57 Community Involvement and Future Vision

21:52 Q&A Session: Addressing Audience Queries