History of Transition Towns
Transition Towns originated in 2004 by permaculture design students at Kinsdale Further Education College in Ireland. Inspired by a course visit from peak oil activist Colin Campbell, the project used permaculture, a form of ecological design rooted in ethics of earth care, people care, and fair shares, to come up with a strategy for the community to prepare itself for life after cheap oil (Hopkins, 2005).
In 2006, Rob Hopkins and a group of collaborators founded Transition Town Totnes. Inspired by their work, communities elsewhere began to set up Transition initiatives of their own.
Grey Lynn 2030 - Getting Started
Founded in 2008, Grey Lynn 2030 was established by people with keeness for action and readiness to grow a reslient suburb in the heart of Tamaki Makaurau. With engagement from locals, many who are still involved, Grey Lynn 2030 formed.
In 2008, Grey Lynn 2030 had visions of being reslient, being able to cater for our own needs, rely less on oil and gas, imported products and contribute less to climate emissions.
All ourinitiatives and projects since 2008 are true to this vision.
At heart, Grey Lynn 2030 is a residents community organisation promoting and engaging in building neighbourhood spirit and cooperation while working towards a vision of a self-reliant, positive, resilient, vibrant, connected and sustainable community.
The Book
A Decade of Positive Vision and Practical Action – Grey Lynn 2030 captured the essence of the first 10 years of Grey Lynn 2030.
The book was part of our celebration on 28 October 2018 when Grey Lynn 2030 turned 10!
Here's an excellent summary of Grey Lynn 2030 at this time by Inspiring Communities.
Transition in Aotearoa New Zealand
Transition Towns quickly spread beyond Britain and Ireland, with New Zealand being amongst the early adopters.
Interest took off in New Zealand in 2007, following a visit from peak oil expert Richard Heinberg and two subsequent workshops at the Taupo Ecoshow.
Over 20 local transition initiatives popped up after the global financial crisis and subsequent oil price spike.
Later the recovery from the earthquake which caused severe damage and disruption in Christchurch in 2011 endorsed this view, central to Transition, that positive action at the scale of a local community is a vital part of long-term processes of building resilience before and after an emergency.
In Auckland, we experienced significant flooding in January 2023. This has brought the reality of climate change to our community.
2030 is now much closer than when we started. We keep our name reminding uslocal resiliency must happen now as we adapt to our changing climate.
Trustees
Grey Lynn 2030 started in 2008.
In late 2011, the Grey Lynn 2030 Trust Deed was developed and, in May 2012, became the Grey Lynn 2030 Community Trust.
Initial trustees were Suzanne Kendrick, Lynn Green, Charlotte Gordon, Pippa Coom, Dianna Tawharu, Chris Olson, Sarah Guppy and Colinda Rowe.
Carolyn Cox, Gary Marshall, Finn Mackesy and Mandy McMullin were the Grey Lynn 2030 founders group.
Mary-Anne Parker -
Chair
Mary-Anne has called Grey Lynn her home for the years. She absolutely loves the place and community and never wants to leave. She believes in progress, not perfection in our journey towards a regenerative future. Through growing awareness of the practical ways people and communities can contribute, we can all incorporate changes into our lives that will make a tremendous collective difference.
Mary-Anne joined the GL2030 Trust in 2019, supporting our activities with her expertise as a Chartered Accountant.
Grant Hewison
Grant has lived in and around Grey Lynn with his family for many years and practices as a Barrister and Policy Consultant.
He specialises in local government with a focus on Auckland Council and is also an activator of Waitematā Low Carbon Network.
Grant is involved in a variety of advocacy initiatives seeking to address climate change, including the GL2030 Trust since becoming a Trustee in 2020.
Grant also plays music with a band regularly at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market on a Sunday morning.
Suzanne Kendrick
Suzanne rejoined the Trust in 2021 after previously having been Foundation Trustee at the beginning of Grey Lynn 2030’s history.
She is an extremely active member of our local ‘hood, with long and strong ties to a number of different climate action and low carbon projects.
These include leading Bike Grey Lynn, Electrify Grey Lynn and Grey Lynn Emergency Resilience.
Suzanne is responsible for the Grey Lynn 2030 Car Boot Market.
She started the Wellpark Streamers who have over 20 years successfully restored an inner-city forest and waterway. This urban ngahere now has special ecological status as vibrant city stretch of native bush.
Nina Campbell
Nina is a social scientist in the energy sector, developing and delivering energy efficiency programmes to help NZ families and businesses reduce their carbon footprint.
She grew up in the neighbourhood and, after a couple of stints working overseas, she has returned to Grey Lynn again, to raise her family and enjoy the unique spirit of Grey Lynn.
She is passionate about connected communities and wants to help Grey Lynn 2030 mobilise our collective energy to tackle urgent environmental and social issues while building a precious sense of belonging in our village.
Grey Lynn Suburb
Grey Lynn is an inner city residential suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. We located three kilometres to the west of the city centre.
Our projects focus on the surrounding neighbourhoods on the west side of the Waitematā Local Board area (Westmere, Ponsonby, Freemans Bay, Herne Bay and St Marys Bay).
Grey Lynn is the overarching name for a suburb with some distinct areas the locals will know - West Lynn, Grey Lynn/Surrey Crescent shops and Richmond Road. The locals know what this all means!
Grey Lynn 2030 Transition Community Objectives
The charitable objects of the Trust are as to be a community organisation within Waitemata Local Board area. We promote and engaging in building neighbourhood spirit and cooperation while working towards a vision of a self-reliant, positive, resilient, vibrant, connected and sustainable community.
In particular the Trust:
- Foster a local identity that is associated with sustainable living;
- Build local resilience in terms of food, energy and waste management.
- Seek out methods for reducing energy usage as well as increasing our own.
- Foster and support a diversity of projects which emerge from our community via focus groups;
- Build networks with and support other organisations and groups consistent with our purpose;
- Identify gaps in knowledge related to climate resilience and to make available information and methodologies that facilitate positive change within the community.
- Raise awareness, care for and enhance the natural resources of water, soil, plants and wildlife;
- Create and maintain social media for our community to inform and to interact with the members of our community as well as with other community groups.
- Act as the point of contact for organisations wishing to engage with our community.
What We Do
Since Grey Lynn 2030 formed in 2008, we organised around focus groups which pick up initiatives, projects and events where there is energy and enthusiasm.
Many focus groups have kicked off ideas that have developed into self-sustaining organisations:
Grey Lynn Farmers Market
Grey Lynn Business Association
Grey Lynn Car Boot Market
Auckand Library of Tools
Grey Lynn Residents Group
The Grey Lynn 2030 Trust continues to function as an umbrella group to help promote aligned projects and organisations within the Grey Lynn area.
In 2025 the Trust starts work on
Electrify Grey Lynn.
A new focus in emergency resilience. Since the January 2023 floods our community is acutely aware more Civil Defence emergencies are likely. This is an important and large community project. So far we have been unable to get any suppport to start with implementing our commuity ideas.
If you are interested in setting up a focus group please get in touch. Our activities are the result of work by volunteers committed to our vision.
Overview of Grey Lynn 2030 Activities
Grey Lynn 2030 Community Action
Grey Lynn Farmers Market
2008/2009
A weekly market, started in 2008 offers local fresh food and zero waste education.
https://www.greylynnfarmersmarket.co.nz/
Grey Lynn Waste Away (GLWA)
2008
Passionate locals, tackling issues around waste minimisation has always been importanat to Grey Lynn 2030.
We have run many community waste projects
- the cup project
- e-waste collections in Waitemata
- Community Compost collection
- Plastic Free July
- Working towarda a community recycling centre - Wai Orea CRC
- Trash to Trade
- No More Plastic Bags
- Food Scrap launch for houses across Waitemata
Wilton Street Community Garden
2008/2018
A local volunteer group which enjoyed community spirit while digging the soil to create an edible gardens.
The land was later sold and the garden closed down.
Water
2009*
A group of locals who care about their natural environment and quality of drinking water.
GLUE - Grey Lynn Urban Environment
2009
Lobby group focusing on writing submissions to Council concerning issues relevant to Grey Lynn. This merged into the Grey Lynn Residents Group
Traffic Calming
2009*
In response to West Lynn residents' concerns about the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, the group looked at ways to manage the road environment to ensure motorists' speeds were appropriate for the area.
Green Screen
2009*
Community movie screenings organised by Grey Lynn 2030 to stimulate discussion and community action.
Grey Lynn Business Association
2010*
A group of local business owners who are committed to sustainable business practice and offer mutual support.
Grey Lynn Community Choir
2011*
A group of locals who enjoy singing and performing at community events.
This has now become The People's Choir
Energy Focus
2011*
A group of local experts and keen learners, who are committed to finding local solutions to the world energy crisis.
Grey Lynn Urban Environment
2012
A group focusing on writing submissions to Council concerning the Auckland Unitary Plan.
This group became the Grey Lynn Residents Association.
Plastic Bag FREE July
Waste Away members linked in with the worldwide movement of reducing plastic in our environment. We run many events during Plastic Free July
Trash to Trade
2016/2017
An event that encouraged and supported upcycling, focusing on local business waste management and creating upcycling businesses.
Wai Orea Community Recycling Centre
2011- 2017
Grey Lynn's 2030's commitment to reducing waste and participating in the Auckland-wide Resource Recovery Network.
We worked for many years to get what is now the Wai Orea CRC. The management contract of the CRC went to Henderson based MPHS.
Repair Cafe
2017
We started pop-up events, bringing people together to share practical skills and saving items from going to landfill.
Brigitte Sistig has gone to be hugely influential in the Right to Repair movement.
Sew Grey Lynn/Stitch in Time
2018
A monthly get together at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market where people came together and make beautiful reusable bags and other items from recycled fabric.
Now the group meets monthly at the Grey Lynn Farmers Market to offer a community repair service