Book Review

Wild Kinship

WORDS VICKI RAVLICH-HORAN | IMAGE ERIN CAVE

“Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens have the power to change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

This is a quote Monique Hemmingson used to set the scene for her book Wild Kinship. “Margaret Mead wrote this before the 1980s,” says Monique. “Thirty years later I had it tattooed on the inside of my arm, and in the ten years since I’ve constantly been reminded and re-educated of its unwavering truth, be that in a positive or negative light.” The name may ring a bell. Monique lives in Papamoa Beach with her husband James, their daughter Lulu Bloom and dog Remy and a few years ago started Wild One Wholefood Café in Mount Maunganui. It is here the inspiration for the book came. She was inspired by the range of forwardthinking, conscious small business models she’d come in contact with during this venture and realised they had an important story to tell. If there is ever a time for us to change the world it is now. And it is those with an entrepreneurial spirit, those that have had their world rocked so dramatically by the last few months that are in a position to do the changing. Monique will probably say the release of her book hit some bad timing, but I think it may be just the message we need right now.

Wild Kinship is a frank yet inspiring, intimate collection of conversations with the best in conscious small business. Meet industry leaders who are forging a new path and changing the world in their wake, from tiny-home builders, permaculture growers and muesli bar creators to ceramic jewellers and coffee bean roasters. Wild Kinship defies the normal business model and looks at different industries where positive change is being made in the form of simple pleasures like your morning cup of joe. While it highlights conscious enterprises, Monique hopes it will inspire the consumers. “I hope that within these pages you and I can find practical ways to become better. I hope that through this we might understand our power as a consumer and how to channel it.” A powerful point made from Thames locals Yotam and Niva Fay of Pakaraka Permaculture when they point out “anything that’s cheap is so because someone else has paid the price”. Wild Kinship is a book about life and love, about our communities, our livelihoods and how to find both balance and success personally, by nurturing the wellness of the world around us. So be inspired by this beautiful book and the 27 stories of people forging a new path.

Published by Beatnik, released 11 May 2020. RRP $60.00, beatnikshop.com

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall

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