A film which takes a positive look on what New Zealanders are doing to live a more sustainable future will be shown in Stratford this weekend.
Food forests, composting toilets and timebanking are just a few of the topics which feature in the documentary Living the Change: Inspiring Stories for a Sustainable Future which will be shown at the TET Kings Theatre on Sunday.
Directed by Jordan Osmond and Antoinette Wilson, the documentary brings together stories from their travels around New Zealand.
Vanessa Radich has organised for the movie to come to Stratford and says she has been inspired by its content.
"I'm tired of feeling uneasy about the negative impact humans have had in nature and not knowing how I, myself, can make a more positive impact. It is important to be aware, but let's stop just talking about the problems and start living the solutions.
"I saw the trailer of this film just as I arrived back in Taranaki and I love that it's local and it is taking a positive look on how people are working together to create solutions for themselves and their communities. I wanted to see it, and I thought that others would too, so decided to host a screening."
Vanessa says in order for change to happen, people need to work together, be inspired by each other, share knowledge and celebrate successes.
"It feels good growing your own food, it feels good making your own bread or preserving foods and it feels good sharing this with your family and friends. This is what we did in the past and now we need to start living that again in order to have a sustainable future."
Vanessa is originally from Stratford, but has been living and travelling in Europe for the last five years and has just come back to her hometown.
"After coming back to Stratford I was so excited to see the Prospero Farmers Market that Moana Hancock has co-ordinated. In Europe farmers markets never stopped.
It is such a great way to get to know your community and share stories and celebrate harvest or products you have created yourself. It's just going back to our roots."
Living the Change: Inspiring Stories for a Sustainable Future is on at the TET Kings Theatre Stratford on Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $10.