Reimagining Cemeteries as Recreational Spaces in Aotearoa/New Zealand ( Karl Nesbitt )

Karl Nesbitt has spent his career working in Parks and Recreation management in Aotearoa / New Zealand. Karl serves on the World Urban Parks Cemeteries committee and he has lead a number of initiative to transition cemeteries into recreational spaces, particularly in rural communities, whilst collaborating with the indigenous Maori community and other religious and cultural groups to create more equitable and accessible outdoor recreations spaces. Please Enjoy! Share! Send us your thoughts!

Visit www.transnaturalperspectives.com for more info on the podcast, blog, writing services, and how you can contact or become a supporter of the show.

Plus check out my new song ‘Home Burial’, from my solo musical project BoTik. The album addresses, amongst other topics, existential environmental issues.  For more info and the link to listen, visit Listen to the whole album, ''Songs At The End of the World'', available at www.botikmusic.com 

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:59 Podcast updates, Lithuania, New Music & introducing our guest, Parks and Recreation Cemetery specialist Karl Nesbitt

00:08:35 Landscape in the Land of the long white cloud, Aotearoa/New Zealand

00:11:50 Settler/Indigenous co-governance and the influence of Indigenous knowledge’s on Politics, Education and land management

00:18:30 Transitioning cemeteries into recreation: Cultural Past, present & future in Aotearoa/New Zealand

00:25:45 Cemetery as a consistent place of peace and greenspace around the world

00:35:25 Different perspectives on death

Current examples of cemeteries being (re)designed as recreational areas

Taboos and Opposition to Cemeteries as a recreational spaces

Cemeteries as highly accessible places for nature connection and play

00:41:30 Future of Cemeteries is in welcoming transition and respecting cultures

00:43:49 Closing Reflections

00:50:40 New Song: 'Home Burial' by BoTik