We are a group of people drawn together since 1995 to evolve a small settlement with a village atmosphere. Our motivating philosophy is to be self-sustaining in as many aspects as possible, using permaculture principles to create a place to live in harmony with each other and our environment.

A little about some of the eco-villagers and how they're progressing...

Heidelind & Rik:

Heidelind is a horticulture teacher for NorthTec (Northland Polytech). She conducts courses in the region and coordinates similar courses throughout the Kaipara and Rodney Districts. Rik is a Dutch architect, and designed and build his 50m2 (almost) autarkic solar cabin. The cabin faces North and is mainly timber framed (LawsonÕs Cyprus) with glass panels on three sides. To maximise solar gain also the North side of the roof is transparent, while the other side is an earth roof. The cabin stands on a concrete slab with solar hot water floor heating, a conservatory and a 12V PV power system.

Paul McLaren:

Paul is a teacher - mainly in science (but also of EFL - during 2 years OE). He has studied - passionately - biochemistry, soil microbiology - whence mulching; worm composting toilets, marine biology, oceanography, biochemistry, etc., etc. Paul built an Econobarn (low cost, half-round barn) with nearly all the interior fittings and joinery being recycled. He also has a small recycled Lockwood home, relocated here recently. Both buildings use solar heated water exclusively. Paul welcomes ideas on how to develop his two hectares.

Wolf & Sabine:

Pukahu is the name of our place at the Eco Village. We have a big and welcoming home, with self contained WWOOFer and guest accommodation in the barn. All buildings are built using the light earth method. We have dry composting toilets, we are using alternative power (solar and wind) only and have a grey water system.

We are passionate about creating a sustainable life style with a high degree of self sufficiency. We enjoy the bounty from the garden and land. We are self sufficient in most vegetables, in fruit during the summer months, in eggs, meat and dairy (we are making cheese and sausages). We also brew beer and distill spirits.

We are also very passionate about building sustainable relationships. We believe in the importance of co-operation between people for those who want to make the world a better place. We both work as group facilitators.

Lynne & Reinhold:

Reinhold is an electrician with a strong interest in alternative building methods and Lynne is a CertTEAL qualified language teacher who hosts ESOL students looking for a rural experience. After living here for nine years, they have completed a half-round barn and post-and-beam construction timber home with strawbale infill and earth roof (there's also a strawbale sauna for time out - click here for more details). Planting on their 2ha evolves from a design Lynne did at the first permaculture course held at the village in 1997. Life here is all-absorbing: planting, animals (kune kune pigs, ducks and chickens), visitors and WWOOFers - there's always something interesting in the pipeline.

Their 2ha is also the venue for NorthTec Horticulture Level 2 courses. These run for 20 weeks in semesters 1 & 2 in line with school terms. Topics cover basic gardening skills, organic growing and permaculture design, with field trips drawing on our wealth of local resources. Visit www.NorthTec.ac.nz for details.

   

Daniel, Jude, Poppy & Oscar:

Daniel is a Landscape Architect and Jude runs a theatre company involved with environmental issues. They moved up permanently in February 2002 having completed stage one of their plans - a straw bale post and beam home with strawbale infill. They have also completed an earth brick and timber barn which provides their bedroom accommodation. Other projects include herb garden, pergola, shelterbelts, orchard, native bush and pond edge plantings, vineyard plus fencing for chooks and a house cow. Keep up the good work!

Sharna & Kapil:

Kapil is a photographer and Sharna is a counsellor and wedding celebrant. Incorporating spiritual ideals within physical structures is important to them, so spaces have been planned for meditation, contemplation and healing. Projects include orchards, subtropicals, herb spiral, and edible hedgerows. Their barn/studio/workshop is called "Wakawhenua" - Earthship - and progress has been intuitive and organic. Building elements include power poles, arches, timbers, mud in-situ adobe walls, mud floors, ferro cement, Onduline roof, recycled bricks, bottles - all to be adorned with copious mosaics and sculptures. Summing up his philosophy Kapil quotes Hundertwasser's eloquent words "Beauty is not a luxury".

Robert, Marijke, Kane & Anton, Nellie & Dolf:

Known as 'The Far Side'. Nellie and Dolf have built a Hebal style house. Rob and Marijke are building a timbercreate "castle", with lots of curves and mosaics. They also want to complete and launch their 28 foot GBE catamaran within the next few years. We love to create beautiful things and spaces and enjoy carving, mosaics, sailing and music. Robert works in Auckland 1 day per week. Marijke teaches art to children occasionally. They have extensive fruit orchards and gardens and all sorts of animals share the property.

Peter:

Peter is a graduate civil engineer enjoying a fulltime job on his property as well as working within the community, especially with the cattle. He built his house during the first years of the new century with timber framing, handmade bricks, 90 year old recycled rimu flooring and ironwood beams. Seven square meters of solar water heating panels integrated into the conservatory roof produce hot water all year around. A soapstone fireplace gives cosy warmth in winter. Sewage from the flushing toilet, bathroom and kitchen runs into a vermicasting tank where worms do the composting job.

His land is nicely developed with 9000 trees he planted himself, with 2 big ponds and an island. He has planted an extensive orchard, subtropical, flower and vegetable gardens and landscaped creative areas around the house.

Peggy Chiu and Roger Smith

Peggy is an academic researcher and author in the fields of shareholder behaviour and corporate social responsibility. Roger is a former newspaper journalist and publisher, now an historian.
Peggy and Roger's house, though built of conventional materials, contains many recycled fittings that were collected over many years. It is built on passive solar heating principles, with solar-powered water heating, and is double-insulated for maximum cool-house / warm-house effect.

Don and Faye:

Don and Faye purchased the last available Ecovillage site in 2005 and have created a comfortable, simple home and garden based on permaculture principles. They grow most of their vegetarian diet.
Don's passion is the use of charcoal as a means of sequestering carbon to reverse climate change, also solar hot water (to wash off the charcoal). Faye gets messy enough growing the food, creating rock walls and enjoying the creative side of their chosen lifestyle.