After a slight change in plans due to some untimely westerly weather in the Southern Alps we found ourselves on a drive south toward the Wiapara Valley region of New Zealand. En route, the group had an opportunity to visit a large housing development, known as Pegasus, where we had our first taste of what is involved with planning a green community. Equally as important we learned how critical communication is between the design and construction phase. After visiting the adjacent beach area (and stopping at Pukeko Junction for tea time) we were on our way south to vineyard country.
Although free wine tastings at Pegasus Winery and Mudhouse Vineyard were almost too good to be true, the real treat was viewing how open the local community was to incorporating native planting into their land. Integral to the area was the support of Deryl, a 5th generation Wiapara Valley native. He explained how small projects have grown and progressively had a positive influence on the community. We had our second taste of New Zealand when Deryl offered to show us the skills of his sheep herding dogs. With one sight dog, one barker and with no more than a few coordination signals from Deryl the duo performed amazingly.
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