"I saw the trailer of this film just as I arrived back in Taranaki and I love that it's local and it is taking a positive look on how people are working together to create solutions for themselves and their communities. I wanted to see it, and I thought that others would too, so decided to host a screening."
Vanessa says in order for change to happen, people need to work together, be inspired by each other, share knowledge and celebrate successes.
"It feels good growing your own food, it feels good making your own bread or preserving foods and it feels good sharing this with your family and friends. This is what we did in the past and now we need to start living that again in order to have a sustainable future."
Vanessa is originally from Stratford, but has been living and travelling in Europe for the last five years and has just come back to her hometown.
"After coming back to Stratford I was so excited to see the Prospero Farmers Market that Moana Hancock has co-ordinated. In Europe farmers markets never stopped.
It is such a great way to get to know your community and share stories and celebrate harvest or products you have created yourself. It's just going back to our roots."
Living the Change: Inspiring Stories for a Sustainable Future is on at the TET Kings Theatre Stratford on Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $10.
