Cohousing NZ - Site Acquired

Welborne Farm

Developer — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 13:05:20 +0000

Masterton, Wairarapa

A group of professional mid 40s to mid 50's professionals are proactively developing a 25-home rural community that will extend into their retirement years.

A 7 acre block is already purchased on the north eastern side of the city, with open views over farm land, and an experienced property developer member is overseeing the project.

It's a short walk or bike from all services including the hospital, lake recreation area, shops and cafes.

Some members are occupying immediately, with others looking to rent until retirement. And commuting from Wellborne Farm is also an option for those still committed to Wellington-based jobs.

For those working from within the site, a highly networked coworking and meeting space is in development.

The group plans to have some livestock, gardens and an orchard.

Wellborne Farm welcomes interest from other people who value the good life, good neighbours and would appreciate a low-maintenance home with all the advantages of the countryside.

Site Acquired

Open to New Members

Kotare Village

Developer — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 12:33:39 +0000

Hawkes Bay

Kotare Village is a self-reliant, permaculture-focussed, eco-village on rural site in rural Northern Hawke's Bay.

Building on the current nucleus the Village it so eventually accomodate 30 families, along with the Koanga Institute's Centre for Regenerative Living. The community is looking to expand membership for people who want to support the shared goal a regenerative, permaculture focused future through "independent village living, local economies and co-evolution".

Kotare’s shared cultural life includes meals, facilitated meetings, gardening, cooperative business, conflict resolution, song, parties, theater, child care, building projects, and community work days.

A unique leasehold arrangement allows residents to lease land for for 34 years, renewable. Members are responsible for own dwellings, to be based on a community driven generic design.

The community is developing a range of shared services: childcare, a workshop, organic food storage and processing, vehicle fleet for hire, building equipment, telecoms, power generation etc.

Looking more outward, Kotare will make use of in-house permaculture skills, resources and marketing to create co-operative business opportunities for members.

The community has a systematized induction process for those interested in joining, and options include donor, settler or investor.

Visit The Kotare Website.

Site Acquired

Open to New Members

Properties Available;

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Delhi Village

Tim Gummer — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 12:51:41 +0000

Whanganui

Started as an idea among six socially connected households, the community has steadily been turning their aspiration into reality – house by house, on the rural fringe of the provincial town of Whanganui.

The community now has its complement of nine households involved in development, with three residential so far.

Members see their community as an opportunity to live in a village atmosphere, socially connected on shared land, while maintaining independence in their own homes.

The group purchased 12.8 hectares of rural land, subdivided, and developed a grey-water system.

Most of the residential sites are clustered, with remaining land available for orchards, gardens, growing firewood and grazing sheep and chickens, and the steepest part being re-clad in native forest.

Delhi Village has been looking to embrace a variety of ages and cultures. The community includes a lawyer, a photographer, a baker, a reporter, a teacher, a behaviour specialist, two nurses, an astronomer, an artist / teacher, a landscaper/carpenter, and a mediator.

Site Acquired

Construction

Occupied

No Vacancies

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High Street

Developer — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:24:42 +0000

Otepoti, Dunedin

Highstreeters are working to create a community where with not only energy-efficient buildings designed, but also with the services, infrastructure and design features to make environmentally positive choices easy.

A key sustainability metric will be achieving passivhaus standards, for energy efficiency and internal comfort.

Social connection is of course baked in: Formerly a primary school the site includes a 1980’s school building to be repurposed as a common house.

The community feels lucky to have obtained one of large vacant flat sites in the hill suburbs of Dunedin, reducing design complexity and building costs.

The well-connected the site is only a stone’s throw from a park and shopping centre. Dunedin central is within easy walking or via a bus stop at the site’s edge.

Nestled within the city’s green belt there is plenty of bush for kids to explore three different playing fields within a 5 min walk.

This is to be a committedly urban development in harmony with it’s lush green surrounds.

Visit the High Street Website

Site Acquired

Micro Summary

A former school site with existing common house is the basis of the Dunedin Highstreet project, providing urban connectivity, and committed to passivehaus standards.

Cross St Eco Village

Developer — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:02:24 +0000

Whangarei

Kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the land) & Manaakitanga (caring for each other), inform this group’s progress to develop a socially and environmentally sustainable urban community in Whangarei.

Cross St already has a 2 acre site, with an existing large ‘common-house-able’ dwelling, owned by the project’s founders. 12-15 units are to be developed on this site.

The group is currently 12 members and looking to expand membership. They meet on the first Saturday of each month. 2016 will be focussed on a codesign process geared towards construction in 2017.

Aims

Design and construct a safe, cohesive neighbourhood whose layout, buildings and services demonstrate the energy efficiency and sustainable settlement.
Develop interpersonal relationships fostering clear communication, consensus decision-making and conflict resolution. We promote respect, co-operation, tolerance of difference, shared enjoyment and fun.
To promote environmental principles within our local community.

Principles

The place of Tangata Whenua and the role of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The primacy of our abundant world and our role as Kaitiaki / Guardians of the land.
The dignity of each person and the importance of Manaakitanga / Showing respect and care for others.
The importance of Permaculture design and practice.

Site Acquired

Open to New Members