There are people whose livelihoods are essential resourceful practices. They might be a craftsperson, ringa rehe, maker, creative, labourer, manufacturer, repairer, alchemist or tradesperson. They might also be a tohunga, fresh water biologist, gardener, botanist, forester, soil scientist, cook, ecologist or farmer. They are known by many different names. Their work involves the care of local resources in a regenerative manner to ensure wellbeing of every part of every ecosystem. They understand that what they do now, no matter how small, is an vital part of creating a healthy future. They are caretakers. They know that the opposite of scarcity is not abundance, it is having enough. They perceive what they need, and how to create this from the resources around them and within them.

They sense that their work is a necessary tradition.

These are the people this festival celebrates. We do this not only because our future on this planet depends upon these regenerative traditions, but also because our human wellbeing relies on our finding our most resourceful selves. Their leadership is vital.

You can see more about those people present at main event of Necessary Traditions 2018. They include:

Beeswax candle making by Jeff Robinson, Blacksmithing by Chris Daube, Bookbinding by Sandy Corbett, Boot/Shoe making by Louise Ayling, Boot/Shoe making by Louise Clifton of Shoe School, Buttonhole hand-sewing & Darning by Steven Park of 6×4, Ceramics with local pigments & clays by Tatyanna Meharry, Doll making by Hilary Jean Tapper, Dying with plants by Arina Terekhova of Blue Gum Fibres, Felting by Simone Bensorp of Wild Felt, Fine Woodworking by the Centre for Fine Woodworking, Foraging by Peter Langlands, Greenwood Garden Rake making by Greg Quinn, Growing your own food by Angela Clifford, Hand block printing by Kuva Zakheim, Heritage Earthbuilding by Kerry Mulligan, Knitting and spinning by the Spinners & Weavers Guild, Kintsugi repair by Yuka O’Shannessy & Yoko Shimoyama, An Astute Assembly, Kuksa & Spoon-carving by Alex Yerks from USA, Leatherwork by Peter OBrien of Village Leather Craft,  Mandolin making by David Simpson, Mutual Aid Networks by Gen de Spa, Pin-hole photography & Camera Obscura by Stefan Roberts, Preserving the season’s bounty by Kate McMillan, Rag Rug-making by Vita Cochran, Sydney, Raranga Harakeke Weaving by Benita Wakefield & whānau, Refurbishing jewellery by Jacky Morren, Repair, refurbishment, & recycling of e-technology by Alan Liefting, Rongōa Māori healing traditions from local plants by Chelita Kahutianui Zainey of Manaaki Māmā, Sewing from reused cloth by Sylvia Houston, Soap-making by Anthea Madill, Spoon-carving by Douglas Horrell of Cleft Craft, Story-telling by Sharon Moreham, String-making by Rekindle, Sustainable Household products by Samantha Fay, Tī kōuka weaving by Rekindle, Timebanking by Addington Timebank, Traditional Chair-making by Richard Hare, Upholstery by Nigel Cook, Willow basket weaving by Peter Greer, and many more.