ECHO - East Coast Hemp Organisation

08/02/2017

H**p wall panel testing well underway with BRANZ. 1,3 and 5 year tests setup. We are lucky to have a dedicated team working with us to provide a full compliance h**p building method for the Southern Hemisphere.

With the h**p growing season in full swing we are looking forward to harvest and testing out our NZ built portable decorticating unit. Fingers crossed we will have another NZ first to offer.

We have heard of some other great h**p products being developed here in NZ and are looking forward to seeing them on the market.

Wishing you all a great h**p season for 2017

Team ECHO

**p **poil

27/09/2016

Thanks for calling in Meka Whaitiri. Always a pleasure, never a chore

16/09/2016

Building compliance has always been a big issue in NZ when it comes to building with h**p. ECHO has an existing relationship with BRANZ (Building research association of New Zealand) because they have one of the most respected building material testing facility around. Testing is not cheap, but must be done and ECHO is committed to see it through. Huge thanks to WelTec tutor Rodger and Naenae College boys Tab & Hunter for lending some muscle and also the building apprentice Ioka.,Awesome effort. Pre-fabricated h**p buildings are on the way.

21/08/2016

The ECHO - East Coast H**p Organisation have been asked to present at Tauranga National Māori Housing Conference 2016. The conference provides an opportunity for the regions to show case their leadership and contribution in the “housing space”.

For us, we have noticed Hawkes Bay's housing issues and the effects it has on equality. Put simply if you live in a substandard, cold, damp house you are more likely to fail in the game of life. It is a harsh truth, and not a future we want for the following generations.

If you are interested to hear how ECHO - East Coast H**p Organisation plans on contributing to a solution, you can find us at the conference.

07/08/2016

A little from the weekend. Thanks to the Hawke's Bay Today for the piece. There will be more material from the weekend to come.

ECHO East Coast H**p Organisation building construction workshop at EiT in Taradale, Napier.

25/07/2016

Team ECHO are looking forward to the upcoming workshop next Saturday (6th of August). All students will take away a h**p sample block and a ECHO beanie. See you there.

06/07/2016

H**p Workshop #3 - EIT Hawke's Bay,
Following the success of the first H**p course, EIT have allowed ECHO to hold another workshop in there facility on the 6th of August 2016.

The course fee will be $250.00 NZD per person, other h**p course can cost upwards of $800.00 NZD per person.

If you are interested please private message the ECHO page for more details.

29/05/2016

H**p Workshop #2 - Hawkes Bay, Eastern Institute of Technology

The 2nd H**p workshop was held at the Eastern Institute of Technology. Our class attendees came from all parts of New Zealand including - Canterbury, Hamilton, Hastings, Matata, Keri-Keri, Te Teko, Northland, Whakatane, Tasman, Gisborne and Waimarama.

Some people had never been to Hawkes bay and the reason for attending the h**p workshop varied. Some professions/interests included Engineers, Environmentalist, Builders, H**p growers, Architectural designers, tiny home builders and socially driven people looking for change.

It was a tough crowd, but the feedback was - "it was worth the trip".

Team ECHO would like to thank Richie, Lucinda, Zeb, Angela, Johnny, Anaru, Rachael, Kellee, Tim, Moana, Joseph, Wylie, Sharon, Shawn, Shaun and Quinten for coming to the workshop and making it awesome.

Shout out to Eastern Institute of Technology, T-Block for providing the facility.

There will be more h**p workshops dates announced, To register interest please drop us a message via Facebook.

Team ECHO

15/05/2016

The team touched down in Christchurch. Looking forward to meeting the girls & boys at BOINZ. If your looking for a T-shirt, let us know

11/05/2016

Kia ora everybody,

We are happy to announce the h**p course is at max capacity. We will be making an effort to hold more course through out the year.

So if you are keen to attend, keep your eyes on the ECHO page.

To the people that will be attending the upcoming course, your in for a treat.

20/04/2016

Team E.C.H.O is proud to present the
"Introduction to h**p construction course". It is a one day course which will be held at the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) on Saturday 28th of May 2016.

The course fee will be $250.00 NZD per person, other h**p course can cost upwards of $800.00 NZD per person.

The course outline will include ECHOs progression, NZ h**p history, growing h**p, licencing procedures, processing h**p, h**p construction.

There is also a practical part where the students will be getting hands on experience with ECHOcrete. We will build a small class project which will be either a H**p wall section, H**p dog kennel or H**p pizza oven.

The day will be finished out at the ECHO headquarters, where you can inspect the prototype building the team has completed. ECHO will provide refreshments & be available for questions.

If you would like to register or have any questions please message us via facebook or at
[email protected]

Note: this course has no NCEA or other accreditation (yet)

30/03/2016

Kia ora koutou katoa, (Greetings to all)

A question we often get is, "Does h**p burn in block form?".
Then the follow up question generally is, "Do you get high off it?''

First answer : From what the professionals have told us and what we have observed on site is that the lime in the binder (glue) we mix in chokes the flame, stopping the h**p from igniting. Unlike some forms of straw bale (no disrespect to the straw bale community)

Second answer : Google it

We had the privilege to talk at the Pukemakoiti AGM (which is in Paharakeke near Pureora in the King Country region) they asked the first question and we replied with our typical answer.
Then in the crowd someone said "show us!"

Note: The uncle with the blow torch is a trainned professional

22/03/2016

Another day at the office. In 12 weeks our h**p seed grew into these 3.0m monsters behind us.

We are looking to holding a pre-entry course for h**p construction at the Eastern Institute of Technology (E.I.T) - Hawkes Bay.

There will be a fee, also limited class size. More information to come.

**P

29/02/2016

This weekend we traveled to Sydney Australia to take part in a h**p building course held by Klara from Australian H**p Masonary Company. http://h**pmasonry.com.au
Check out there website its awesome.

If you are in Australia looking at building with h**p i would strongly
suggest getting in touch with Klara to help design and build your next home. If you are looking into any other aspect of H**p Klara has a wealth of knowledge an contacts that could assist with your questions.

Its always good to learn new ways of applying h**p and getting a better understanding of this great natural product.

Thank you to Klara, Dick Clarke from Envirotecture for your hospitality and to everyone who attended it was great to meet you all. **psters **P

11/02/2016

The E.C.H.O boys are humbled to have been named in the BOINZ annual conference & expo down in Christchurch, We were encouraged by Hastings District Council building inspectors to attend. The organizers have describe the h**p building product and the E.C.H.O team as "interesting", we will be presenting during the innovation session - breakout.

See you there, after function drinks will be on Gabreil Williams.
, ,

02/02/2016

Big thanks to Hastings district mayor Lawrence Yule. He had heard a few things about the h**p building and wanted to see it for himself. Lawrence is keen to open a few doors to help E.C.H.O move forward - Hopefully he can also sort out afew parking fines and over due library books aswell.

19/01/2016

This ceiling lining is a mixture of recycled rough sawn timbers, fixed with silicon bronze rose head nails. Full credit to our head builder Gabriel & his apprentice Tim (aka Lime) for making it happen. This idea was driven by the artistic influence of Levi. Although Henare made an appearance in the photo, His role in this job was to make the cups of tea.

14/01/2016

Two of Hawkes Bays best and Brightest Plasters . The plaster system the boys are applying to the h**p is brand new to the Aotearoa market,It fulfills our requirements as well as the local building councils.