“Sustainability” is a word that can make you feel anywhere from inspired to guilty. On the small scale, I see the irony of rushing past my overgrown vege garden to go to work — only to buy overpriced, sad looking vegetables at the supermarket at the end of a 12 hour day. It doesn’t feel very sustainable for the environment or for me.

This month has been one of great excitement as my partner and I got engaged. Naturally enough, I’ve been reflecting on marriage, weddings and the meaning of two people coming together to make a public and sacred commitment to each other.

Julia Spelman, of Ngāti Hikairo descent, is a barrister at Pipitea Chambers in Wellington. She helped to found JustSpeak and is now Chair of the Board.