A darn good job

The almost lost art of darning socks was resurrected at the weekend by a young Wanaka man looking for ways to help counter the world’s problems with waste.

Designer Geoff Wright (right) attracted a steady stream of attention at the Wanaka Waste Free Fair on Saturday, including from Rio (7) and Pedro Pimentel, of Wanaka, as people offered their socks for repair.

Mr Wright provided those seeking help with a needle and thread and, although not in possession of a traditional darning mushroom, had tennis balls available to fill out the heels of the holey socks.

Mr Wright said he was "pretty into repairing things", and while new to the ancient art of darning decided to give it a go after damaging a good sock on matagouri.

"It’s probably easier to go buy a new pair of socks, but if you’ve got nothing better to do ... " he said.

Project manager for the fair, Sophie Ward, said it was a "celebration of living without waste" and more than 300 people attended.