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The Kaipara Harbour is an area which once
possessed prodigious kauri forests and enjoyed a zenith of commercial
prosperity and importance as a link in New Zealand's coastal sea routes
prior to the advent of road and railway systems. In legendary days the great
sea voyager Tamatea was welcomed at Raepare pa. He left his God Raiera
there in the shape of a rock as a bridge for his descendants, and the river
was named after him. Deep within its huge harbour system, the
Otamatea
River
is a tranquil place now. Except
perhaps for a certain stretch of water which passes the site of Otamatea
Eco-Village, where since 1997 about a dozen families have been progressing
plans for an intentional permaculture community on two hundred and fifty
acres of a peninsula west of Kaiwaka.
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The
initiative came from two founder members who were looking for a piece of
land not too remote, large enough for a number of families to have freehold
title to a few acres, with enough common land to provide recreational, food
growing and resource opportunities. However diverse those who join the
project, the basic idea is that our motivating philosophy will be
application of permaculture principles to all aspects of village life. Its
inherent values of working with nature, assuming responsibility, energy
efficiency, appropriate technology, and multi-functions for all elements
create a direct pathway towards the goal of caring for the land and each
other.
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Once the place was found, late in 1996, on a farm
that had been used as a cattle run-off block for generations, the question
of finance loomed. The initial purchase was aided by neighbour Edward
Goldsmith, author, and founder of the "Ecologist" magazine. Each
member now has freehold title to their five-acre unit as well as owning
1/15 share of one-hundred and seventy-six acres of common land. This was a pioneering move for New Zealand. |
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Mainly
through word-of-mouth a nucleus of intending residents formed. Then
fortnightly meetings began, to write our prospectus, vision statement and
co-ordinate the myriad strands of administration and hands-on physical
work. To create a co-operative dynamic where people can feel safe to voice
their concerns the meetings are run on a consensus basis. Through these,
shared meals and working bees, we are getting to know each other. A sense
of community is important here and we often think of the three conditions
prescribed by the Dalai Lama to accomplish our vision: "Great love,
great persistence, great patience. Patience
is the hardest of all!" |
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In
November 1997 our "Opening Day" was celebrated, marking the
successful conclusion of two year's negotiations with the Kaipara District
Council and Land Transfer Office.
Another high spot in the calendar was the Road Opening Ceremony on 20 June
1998. The 4.5km access road is now complete, which means that more house
building can start. That afternoon, with a little help from friends, over
two thousand trees were planted. Then a candlelit banquet and bonfire to
honour the Winter Solstice... a memorable day. |
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| Timeline |
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- Resource
Consent from Kaipara District Council granted.
- Main title held.
- 4.5km access road
completed.
- All
15 sections sold - most families building and living on the land/
- Community
garden established.
- Water
catchment areas and drainage established.
- Cattle
grazing and treeplanting projects ongoing.
- Monthly
business meetings, weekly shared meals and celebrations of many kinds
take place.
- Power supply installed.
Otamatea
Eco-village is a stimulating collection of possibilities - environmental,
social, technological and spiritual - the ongoing task is to weave these
strands together to the best abilities of our inhabitants. |
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