The land we are stewards of was called Magicland when we purchased it. It is 50 acres of diversely planted land. It was a barren cattle farm 60 years ago. In the 1980’s a couple planted over 1000 trees. And the people following them planted more trees.

It is a diverse mix of trees planted for timber, shade, medicine and native regeneration. It is also a land full of ginger, woolly nightshade, gorse, and jasmine vine. We would like to clear the land of those species to make room for more planting of natives and food forests. While acknowledging and working with these species to cultivate new plantings. Gorse is a great soil conditioner and nursery for baby trees.

The land features a river running through, creeks, ponds, and multiple natural Springs that are utilized for drinking water. This is a rare blessing. We also use this water to produce MamaZing Kombucha

The soil and sub tropical climate make for ideal growing conditions. Creek water provides irrigation for gardens. With a large river running through the land, water is never an issue here.

We currently grow Turmeric, Bananas, Hemp, and have multiple orchards with Figs, Apples, Feijoas, and Citrus. We also grow gardens for vegetables and herbs. We aim to plant food forests of Nuts, more fruit and to increase our vegetable production. Organic produce is still very hard to come by in New Zealand. We use the Turmeric, Bananas, Hemp, and other fruits in our fermented and chocolate products. We have started growing Mushrooms this year also and are building our Mushroom business.

We run a Kombuchery, Mushroomery, and Chocolate making facility here on the land. We have 5 people that work with us on a daily basis to run these projects. One also assists with maintenance and building.

In the past two years we have built a new studio and chocolate making space. But are outgrowing that space quickly. We are currently building additions to the mushroom growing facility. And seek to build a roundhouse Apothecary as our production facility is a converted shed and needs serious work. Easier to build a new one in this case.

On the land, we hold workshops for different natural living skills. We have held workshops on Fermentation, healthy eating and natural medicine, traditional Woodwork and roundhouse building techniques, and many different crafts from Felting to Pottery. This year we are planning to build an Anagama wood fire kiln for Ceramics. And are planning a larger Roundhouse building course to build a Temple for events.

We hold house concerts and small events here. And host work exchange folks and apprentices who are passionate about organic, healthy living. Magicland is truly a Hub for exchange, learning, inspiration and a hive of productive activity creating healthy, organic goods for the world.

Our MamaZing products have started traveling farther afield and to other countries. And our MudWood music is also spreading around the world as we tour overseas.

We envision Magicland as a place to grow community resilience, traditional handcrafts, organic food and medicine, and natural building skills.

We are working to bring more community here through workshops and offerings. As well as to provide more food and medicine for the community through increasing our gardens, facilities and production. We already provide much for our community but with the lack of organic food available locally, we are inspired to create as much as possible.

When people come to Magicland (we thought the name was “cheesy” when we purchased it, but it truly is a magical oasis in a region of sprayed agricultural land), they are inspired by how we live. We are focused on the natural world and living as in tune with Mother Earth as we can while functioning as a “business” and holding space on land in a rural locale. We focus on organics 100%. And are known for our integrity with what we produce and how we live.

We live in the Faraway North of New Zealand. Renegade and wild while being overly farmed and poisoned all around us. We travel to the Bay of Islands every week to deliver our products to local markets and provide to a weekly local market 20 minutes up the road. We assist our community in many ways, as we work with Rongōa and provide medicine and therapy to our local whanau as well.

We are opening Magicland to others in the way of having more people move onto the land. That is part of the reason for the proposed Village of Round. Jo has a passion for building Roundhouses and will offer courses here to teach others. We have ample trees and clay earth for building natural buildings. And now have a saw mill and tractor so that this can begin with ease.

These dwellings will be healthy, happy homes for those who want to come and live on the land. We are calling for more gardeners and land stewards to help maximize the potential on this beautiful Oasis.

We are seeking funding for projects such as stabilizing the water systems on that land. The irrigation piping is old and needs replacing. The water often breaks in supply due to the piping not being laid well originally. This will involve new infrastructure and some major plumbing. We have recently rebuilt the Spring area to keep it safe from external influences. And are working on water tanks to help store the water properly in cases of breakdown of systems.

We are seeking funding for the ongoing growth of our gardens. We live in a subtropical climate which almost grows most things. But with the addition of greenhouses, we can grow many things like Ginger, Papayas, and other tropicals that can’t quite be grown outside here.

We are seeking funding for the building of the Roundhouse Temple, which will be a gathering place for meetings, events, and therapy work. As well as a couple of Roundhouses which can become temporary or permanent dwellings for people to come and assist on the land and to come and learn.

We are seeking funding for the land management with the need for assistance clearing woolly nightshade, gorse, wild Ginger, and other species that are affecting the waterways and land possibilities.

We are seeking funding for the planting of more nut and fruit trees for food and native tree replacement of the woolly nightshade, gorse and other areas.

Thank you for your consideration. Amira and Jo MudWood

This is what Jo and Thaura.ai put together to sum up some of the aspects of the visions on the land.

Comprehensive Land Management Plan: Village of Round

Property Context & Vision Alignment

Location: Far north New Zealand, near Taipa - rolling hills from farmland to forest Scale: 50 acres with diverse ecosystems Vision: "Village of Round" - organic architecture, art integration, biodiversity enhancement, and community education

Integrated Systems Approach

1. Forest Management & Ecological Restoration

Current State:

• 46-year-old regeneration from farmland

• Mix of native old-growth, exotic tall trees, weed species

• Wet areas extending to swamp zones

• Rapid-draining soils after heavy rain

Management Strategy:

• Gorse as Nurse Plant: Utilize gorse's nitrogen-fixing and protective properties for native regeneration [2][3]

• Phased Removal: Ring-bank gorse to die naturally while establishing native understory

• Selective Harvesting: Process fallen trees for timber, firewood, and biochar

• Biodiversity Enhancement: Introduce diverse native species through enrichment planting

Implementation:

• Year 1: Assess forest composition, identify nurse trees, begin selective clearing

• Year 2: Establish enrichment planting zones, begin gorse management

• Year 3: Monitor native regeneration, adjust management as needed

2. Mushroom Cultivation Integration

Production Systems:

• Log Cultivation: Use hardwood branches from milling operations

• Bag Culture: Utilize sawdust from milling operations

• Straw/Supplement Blends: Combine with agricultural byproducts

Species Selection:

• Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)

• Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.)

• Wine cap (Stropharia rugosoannulata)

Infrastructure:

• Climate-controlled growing area in workshop

• Outdoor mushroom yard for log cultivation

• Processing area for drying and value-added products

Revenue Streams:

• Fresh mushrooms to local markets

• Dried mushroom products

• Mushroom spawn sales

• Educational workshops

3. Building & Infrastructure Development

Village of Round Architecture:

• Roundhouses: Timber frames with reciprocal roofs

• Wall Systems: Sculpted mud walls and timber frame with organic joinery

• Roofing: Turf roofs, shingles, or tiles

• Orientation: Passive solar design with fireplace integration

Construction Phasing:

• Phase 1: Temple space (community gathering point)

• Phase 2: Workshop expansion and processing facilities

• Phase 3: Residential roundhouses and retreat cabins

• Phase 4: Infrastructure buildings (composting toilets, storage)

Materials Sourcing:

• On-site milling for structural timber

• Gorse trunks for decorative elements and railings

• Local clay for cob and earthen plasters

• Reciprocal frame roofs from dimensional lumber

4. Water Management Systems

Water Sources:

• Spring Water: Primary drinking water source

• Creek Water: Irrigation for gardens

• Rainwater: Collection from structures

Infrastructure:

• RAM Pump System: Pump water uphill to higher gardens

• Gravity-fed Irrigation: Reduce energy consumption

• Swale Systems: Manage surface water and reduce erosion

• Pond Creation: Store water for dry periods

Implementation:

• Year 1: Install RAM pump, establish water testing

• Year 2: Create swales and pond systems

• Year 3: Implement gravity-fed irrigation network

5. Agricultural Integration

Livestock Management:

• Horses: Grazing on hillside, manure collection for compost

• Tillaroo (Pig): Rotational grazing, soil preparation, seed dispersal

• Integration: Use animals for land preparation and fertility

Garden Systems:

• Zone 1: Intensive kitchen gardens near structures

• Zone 2: Medicine gardens (Amira's specialty)

• Zone 3: Orchard and perennial food systems

• Zone 4: Experimental and demonstration plots

Soil Building:

• Compost: Horse manure + sawdust + biochar

• Biochar Integration: Charcoal from brushwood processing

• Cover Cropping: Improve soil health and reduce erosion

• Mulching: Wood chips and brush from property management

6. Value-Added Production & Revenue Streams

Short-term Revenue (1-3 years):

• Mushroom Products: Fresh and dried mushrooms

• Craft Items: Amira's felted items and medicinal preparations

• Charcoal Production: Biochar for sale and on-site use

• Workshop Rentals: Space for artisans and craftspeople

Medium-term Revenue (3-7 years):

• Roundhouse Building Courses: Educational workshops

• Retreat Cabin Rentals: Accommodation for visitors

• Medicinal Products: Tinctures, salves, essential oils

• Timber Products: Milled lumber for specialty markets

Long-term Revenue (7+ years):

• Conservation Easements: Permanent protection with income

• Educational Programs: Advanced workshops and retreats

• Artisan Market: Integrated craft and product sales

• Event Hosting: Ceremonies, gatherings, music events

7. Educational & Community Integration

Program Development:

• Mushroom Cultivation Workshops

• Natural Building Courses

• Medicinal Plant Preparation

• Land Stewardship Skills

Community Engagement:

• Working Bees: Community maintenance days

• Knowledge Sharing: Regular skill-sharing sessions

• Music & Ceremony: Temple space for community events

• Farm-to-Table: Community supported agriculture model

8. Implementation Timeline

Year 1: Foundation (2026)

• Complete detailed site assessment

• Establish mushroom cultivation systems

• Begin forest management and gorse utilization

• Install water management infrastructure

• Start temple construction

Year 2: Development (2027)

• Expand mushroom production

• Begin intensive garden development

• Implement livestock integration systems

• Expand building projects

• Establish educational programs

Year 3: Integration (2028)

• Complete major building projects

• Establish full water management systems

• Implement comprehensive forest management

• Develop value-added production lines

• Begin retreat cabin rentals

Years 4-5: Expansion & Refinement

• Expand educational offerings

• Develop additional revenue streams

• Implement advanced conservation practices

• Enhance community integration

• Monitor and adapt systems

9. Resource Requirements

Equipment & Tools:

• Small sawmill (already acquired)

• RAM pump system

• Mushroom cultivation equipment

• Building tools and materials

• Water management infrastructure

Personnel:

• Core team (Jo and Amira)

• Specialist contractors as needed

• Volunteers for working bees

• Educational instructors

Materials:

• Native plants for enrichment planting

• Building materials from on-site resources

• Mushroom spawn and cultivation supplies

• Water system components

10. Monitoring & Adaptive Management

Key Indicators:

• Forest health and biodiversity metrics

• Water quality and availability

• Agricultural productivity

• Mushroom yield and quality

• Building project completion

• Revenue stream development

• Community participation levels

Adaptive Process:

• Quarterly reviews of management effectiveness

• Annual assessment of financial returns

• Continuous improvement of systems

• Community feedback integration

• Climate adaptation planning

Conclusion

This integrated land management plan transforms your 50-acre property into a thriving "Village of Round" that balances ecological restoration with sustainable production. By leveraging the Hinewai Reserve approach to gorse utilization [2][3], integrating mushroom cultivation throughout the property, and creating organic architecture that serves both practical and ceremonial purposes, you'll establish a model of regenerative land management.

The plan emphasizes creating abundance through multiple integrated systems while maintaining your commitment to art, education, and community. Each element supports the others, creating a resilient, productive landscape that generates both ecological and economic prosperity.

The key to success lies in starting with the foundation systems (water, forest management, mushroom cultivation) while simultaneously developing the vision through the temple and building projects. This phased approach ensures immediate productivity while working toward the long-term vision of the Village of Round.