5.4 Examples of Alternative Housing Developments in New Zealand

Projects that are adopting cohousing andcooperative development principles inNew Zealand have existed for some timeand have traditionally arisen in semiurban or rural settings. Many co-habitantsdesired to do socially and environmentallysustainable development, or achievemore affordable housing through codevelopment and co-design. Cohousingdevelopments generally save around10% of private space through providinga common house and shared workshops,studios, gardens, and open space for allresidents. Living as a part of a community,with shared resources and neighbourhoodlife is also attractive and reduces thelikelihood of experiencing isolation andloneliness, pervasive in conventionalsuburban neighbourhoods.

In recent years we are excited to have seen the emergence of several urban residential development projects across the country. The below examples demonstrate the range of projects that exist or are in the making throughout New Zealand.

Kāinga Tuatahi, Orākei (Ngāti Whātua Orākei)

Kāinga Tuatahi is an eco village located in Wairua, Hawkes Bay, that’s home to around 150people who share eight core values and participate in intentional, life-affirming communitypractices. This ethos includes a focus on permaculture principles and meeting people’s needsin a way that is regenerative of both their environment and social relationships. It was fundedvia a community land trust, the process for this development began in 2014, with the landpurchased and the vision and legal structures established that year. Individual householdslease land from the cooperative, and other resources, such as permaculture gardens, andbusinesses in the village are managed cooperatively or leased.

Welborne Farm

Welborne Farm is a cohousing initiative based on 7 acres (2.83 ha) in the Wairarapa, eastof Wellington. This development is aimed at people who appreciate a rural lifestyle withthe flexibility to still commute for work in the city. The project is spear-headed by a groupof professionals in their 40s and 50s who are planning 25 homes that will meet their needsboth now and into retirement. In addition to housing, the group is also developing a coworking space and has plans to incorporate gardens, an orchard and raising livestock for thecommunity.

Delhi Village

Delhi Village is a rural community of nine households located on the fringes ofWhanganui. It has been set up through subdivision processes, with clustereddwellings, a grey water recycling system and shared orchards, chickens, sheep etc.The Delhi Villagers began their journey in 2008 and have since established a sharedvision of a warm village vibe rich in social connections that’s grounded in sustainableand self-sufficient principles. The 12.8 ha section is collectively owned, but householdsown their own 800m2 sections and have independence. This development isprogressing iteratively, with three households living in the village so far. All ninehouseholds are involved in the development process.

Earthsong Eco Neighbourhood

Earthsong Eco Neighbourhood, located in Ranui, West Auckland, was NewZealand’s first cohousing development. It began in 1995, established on values ofsocial and environmental sustainability. The community also has an educationalpurpose to nurture and support cohousing in New Zealand. The 4-acre (1.62 ha)site was previously an organic orchard and it was developed with an ecosystemand community focus. It was completed in 2008 and now includes 32 homes, eachdesigned using passive solar and sustainable architecture techniques and materials.

High Street Dunedin

High Street in Ōtepoti / Dunedin is a cohousing development on a former school site of 5,000m2. It is being developed using Passivhaus standards for building design and a vision for asociable neighbourhood where it is both attractive and affordable to lead sustainable lives. Thesite was obtained in 2013, and since then the community has been participating in co-designand co-management of the project. The High Street group plans to put up preframed terracedhousing in a variety of sizes with a collection of shared assets, including a common house.It’s all go onsite, with all units purchased and construction underway, with the project set forcompletion for Summer 2020.

Urban Habitat Collective

Urban Habitat Collective is a group of Wellington families who are collectively developinga cohousing apartment block. By removing the developer’s margin and instead buildingcollectively, the development will cost less. UHC plans to collectively build quality, mediumdensity housing for 20+ households, and in doing so to demonstrate that urban cohousingworks in New Zealand. Urban Habitat Collective is currently at the feasibility stage, arrangingfinance and governance arrangements and beginning the codesign phase.

QT Urban Village

Queenstown Urban Village in Frankton, Queenstown aims to create a sustainable, affordabledevelopment with quality designed homes. A cohousing shared equity model is proposed forthe village development, including collective funding, buying materials in bulk and employingmodular and prefabrication techniques. This is very similar to the German baugruppen model.Queenstown Urban Village aims to reduce development costs through collective development,which removes the conventional developer margin and real estate agents’ fees. The villageis made up of a mix of townhouses and apartments and includes shared spaces and jointlyowned, income-earning assets. The sustainable design approach incorporates energy efficienttechniques and materials, including adhering to Passivhaus design standards, which alsoprovides long-term energy cost benefits.

Collett's Corner

Collett’s Corner in Lyttelton, Christchurch is an example of the emerging models of collectiveurban development that extend beyond housing. It is a mixed use commercial and residentialco-designed development, embracing the principles of collaborative urbanism. Thedevelopment is funded through equity crowdfunding to raise capital. In the case of Collett’sCorner, the development will be managed by an incorporated society and collectively ownedby shareholders, who have voting rights related to decision making around the managementof the development. Investors earn an annual return based on businesses paying rents, andadditional return to investors is based on the capital gain over time. The project is currently inthe planning and design phases, with the date of completion set for June 2022.Collett’s Corner in Lyttelton, Christchurch is an example of the emerging models of collectiveurban development that extend beyond housing. It is a mixed use commercial and residentialco-designed development, embracing the principles of collaborative urbanism. Thedevelopment is funded through equity crowdfunding to raise capital. In the case of Collett’sCorner, the development will be managed by an incorporated society and collectively ownedby shareholders, who have voting rights related to decision making around the managementof the development. Investors earn an annual return based on businesses paying rents, andadditional return to investors is based on the capital gain over time. The project is currently inthe planning and design phases, with the date of completion set for June 2022.