Off Grid Living - Shambhala
Simple Living
For many in the developed world, striving for material wealth, status and possessions is given precedence above all else. What if instead, we recognised the importance of relationships, community contribution and service, self development, and physical and mental health? Purposely living a simple life asks that we reconsider our priorities.
Too many of us are attached to the idea that monetary wealth equals self worth and that money should be pursued above all else.
For my part, I measure my worth against intangible values such as contentment, satisfaction and self-sufficiency. Simple or minimalist living allows me to focus on the values that I treasure and to see beyond the corporate-led overconsumption prevalent in our society.
Moving to Shambhala and adopting such a lifestyle requires that I step away from mainstream culture thereby resisting the constant pressure to acquire, upgrade and spend. For me, that’s not difficult as I’ve rarely followed societal expectations.
What is Off Grid Living
A broadly accepted interpretation of off grid living defines it as those households that are not connected or dependent on public utility systems, especially in relation to the supply of electricity.
This could be by choice or due to lack of access to those services. Most people without access to power don’t refer to their lifestyle as "off grid", they’re simply living with the hand they’ve been dealt.
Aside from electricity, other public utilities include:
potable or fresh water
drainage
waste water
sewage discharge
internet
phone
television
natural gas
rubbish collection
recycling collection
At Shambhala, we have none of the above utilities, though if we’ve a vehicle available, we can drive to the other end of the road (three kilometres from our camp), to leave our rubbish and recycle bins out for the fortnightly collection.
Once we get around to putting up a mail box in the same location as the rubbish bins, we can then check for any snail mail and parcels that will be delivered by the Rural Mail service.
Motivations to Live Off Grid
Living off grid in New Zealand is gaining popularity as more people seek to disconnect from traditional utilities.
My long term motivations to be off grid are:
to reduce my environmental impact on the world
to form a greater connection to nature and the rhythms of the land
to enjoy a more purposeful lifestyle and
to save money
As a story teller, I’m able to share what I’m doing with others and demonstrate that there is another way to live.
For many of you that read my blog and follow me, this may be your first introduction to sustainable living and my hope is that you will embrace or adapt some of my sustainability ideas to fit in with your own lifestyles. At the very least, it will provide you with food for thought.
Like much of the western world, New Zealand has a state owned electricity grid or transmission system with power being primarily generated using hydro, geothermal and increasingly, wind energy.
Electric power is transported across New Zealand through that grid to the local substations and then on to homes, farms and businesses.
But not alas to Shambhala which is located towards the northern tip of Te Tara-o-te-Ika-a-Māui, the Coromandel Peninsula.
Though the Peninsula is close to large centres of population such as Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton, its rugged nature means that much of it is relatively isolated. The interior and northern tip of the Peninsula where Shambhala is situated, are largely undeveloped and sparsely inhabited. The Coromandel Forest Park covers much of the inland part of the Peninsula.
The nearest power pole is over two kilometres from our camp which is where, in time, we plan to build. Even if we wanted to join the national grid, the cost would be prohibitive.
We’re not alone in this as none of our immediate neighbours are connected to the national grid nor is it a situation that we can anticipate changing any time soon. It would appear that providing a reliable electricity supply to our end of the road is not a priority for TransPower.
According to a World Bank Report, 685 million people are living with energy poverty, this number having increased for the first time in two decades. Energy poverty refers to a situation where households struggle to afford or access sufficient energy to meet their basic needs, negatively impacting their health and well-being.
This is a global challenge affecting millions worldwide, particularly in developing countries. We’ve been exposed to this often while trekking in the Himalayan Mountains. Being without access to a national grid is the norm and for the locals, living off grid is not a choice but an everyday reality.
Way back in 1888 New Zealand’s first public electricity supply was established in Reefton, with the inauguration of street lighting.
The wheels turn slowly and at any rate, we will remain off the national grid longterm. As we develop our own infrastructure at Shambhala, we will generate solar electricity which will lift us out of the current "energy poverty" situation that we are faced with.
Reasons to Live Off Grid
Sustainability
Choosing to live off grid at Shambhala means that we’ll be relying on renewable energy sources like solar and wind, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimising our environmental impact. Every little bit helps.
Cost Savings
As there’s no public utilities to the property there’s no corresponding invoices which lowers the overall cost of living.
I will however still pay District Council Rates or Taxes for all the "services" to the property that the Council provides. Having seen the neighbours taking it upon themselves to fill in the potholes on our shared gravel road, I’ll have to come back to that list when I’ve more time to figure out just what those services might be.
Regional Council Rates or Taxes are also unavoidable and these contribute to environmental protection, transport planning and flood control.
No doubt the District and Regional Councils provide community services from which we all benefit and yes, I do acknowledge the theory of "for the greater good"
Independence and Self Sufficiency
For better or for worse, independence and self sufficiency are two of my core values and like many of us, I don’t wish to be a burden on others, particularly not as I age.
Being off grid provides me with a sense of freedom and control over my own choices, resources and lifestyle.
A Simpler Life
I’ve made a deliberate choice to live far from an urban environment with it’s crowds and challenges, instead seeking out a simpler life amidst nature.
In saying that, it doesn’t mean I’ll never leave Shambhala, of course I’ll continue to work and travel nomadically knowing that I’ve a safe haven to return to.
Resilience
The Coromandel Peninsula has more than it’s fair share of grid outages and other disruptions. Even as I write this, a Weather Watch has been issued by the Met Service with heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong gales in exposed places with winds gusting up to 100 kilometres per hour. Already, there’s households without power whereas those with their own systems are for now, unaffected.
Challenges to Off Grid Living
Potential for Unexpected Issues
While the national grid can be disrupted, as might be expected, so too can our own systems only now in the immediate term, we’re dependent on ourselves to remedy the issue.
Anyone that’s been around for a while will know these disruptions are most likely to occur at the least convenient time and typically, with a raging storm going on! In the likelihood of such an event happening at Shambhala, we’ll have a basic or temporary backup system to get us through the short term..
For example, if our solar system encounters unexpected problems, we’ve still a fire to cook and heat water and portable solar lights to get by with.
High Initial Costs
Though no where near the eye watering costs of running a new power line two kilometres, setting up an off grid system is going to require a significant upfront investment.
The power system alone will require solar panels, batteries and an inverter amongst other hardware. Then there’s a composting toilet as well as pumps, potable and grey water tanks amongst all manner of bits and pieces.
On Going Maintenance
As Shambhala is over an hour’s drive from the nearest small town we will ideally develop the necessary skills to regularly maintain or repair our off grid systems which will help to further reduce costs.
This is going to be a steep but exciting learning curve!
Limited Access to Amenities
There’s no public amenities in our neighbourhood though there is a strong sense of community which is becoming less prevalent in New Zealand’s urban environments with many people no longer even knowing who their neighbours are.
We’re very careful when planning any projects for Shambhala as there’s no use being half way through something only to realise we’ve not all the necessary materials. Whether that’s building a new shed or baking a cake, it’s a long trip to the shops.
This also brings to light New Zealand’s famous No 8 Wire mentality, representing the spirit of innovation, problem solving and adaptability that’s deeply ingrained in New Zealand’s culture.
The ability to make do and adapt whatever you’ve got will play a large role in the success of Shambhala.
Weather Around the Region
Rain with heavy falls
Thunderstorms possible from evening
Strong easterlies
Gale in exposed places
Gusting to 100km/h.
Climate Vulnerability
Having checked the weather forecast, we decided it was time to take evasive action and again, thanked our lucky stars, that we had that choice. Our campsite with it’s magnificent coastal and mountain views is exposed and spending the night in a tent surrounded by pine trees being blasted with 100 kilometre an hour winds would have been more than a little foolhardy.
Without question, climate change is a challenge that we have to prepare for, respond to, cope with and adapt to. I’ve many ideas big and small as to how we can do this while living at Shambhala and over time will share these with you.
Share your ideas on sustainability in the comments box below and in this way, we will all learn and benefit from the shared knowledge.
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For many in the developed world, striving for material wealth, status and possessions is given precedence above all else. What if instead, we recognised the importance of relationships, community contribution and service, self development, and physical and mental health? Purposely living a simple life asks that we reconsider our priorities.