Another step toward community - sneak peek of our recent hui
Last weekend we were lucky enough to host a group of inspired and committed people who will be joining the second cohousing neighbourhood, for a Community Building Hui (4-6 April, 2025) here in Tākaka.
Simone Woodland, left, with hui attendees, soaked but happy to see baby seals at Wharariki Beach.
They travelled here from around Aotearoa to spend a few days in person together connecting, learning, sharing and growing. There were opportunities to talk through fears, discuss legal details, build excitement, and make plans.
We first met on Friday afternoon at Simone’s house at Neighbourhood 1 (N1), in some unseasonally hot and humid weather, though we were grateful for the sun. After taking some time to connect in with each other, we headed out onto the land to peg out where the houses will be placed in Neighbourhood 2 (N2).
Checking the map before staking out a marker post at each duplex’s “front door”.
After hammering a peg in for each duplex plus the Common House (see above), a person then stood at each “front door”. This was an amazing way to really get a sense for the size of the neighbourhood, and how close or far other homes were and their aspects.
After a break to refresh, we headed out for pizza together at the Dangerous Kitchen - yum!
Upstairs at the Common House - a wonderful location to delve deeper into community building.
On Saturday, we gathered upstairs in the Common House for a morning of discussion and learning. The group first looked at the Membership Agreement together, a document containing guiding ideas and principles of how to live together and share land and facilities, that all members agree to.
Following on from that was an enlightening session on Sociocracy by Robina McCurdy from Tui Community. Sociocracy is a decision-making process and framework that will help guide the neighbourhood as they meet to make decisions together, should they choose to use that system. Robina is a wonderful facilitator with a wealth of experience living in community, so we were very fortunate to be able to learn from her.
Facilitator Robina McCurdy talking through the Sociocracy decision-making process.
After a delicious lunch catered by Delish Delicatessen, Saturday afternoon was all about getting our hands dirty! We returned to the māra (the memorial garden created at the last hui in November 2024, read more about that here), for a working bee. Thistles and other weeds were pulled from around four young trees, then wool mat laid and pegged, and a thick layer of bark mulch in place.
Many hands make light work! It was hot and sweaty out there, but we got so much done, helping the māra to thrive.
The spiral garden - still laden with flowers and full of bees - also got some loving attention with a thorough weeding and a layer of bark mulch spread around. Thanks to all of you for your hard mahi!
Weeding the spiral garden.
After a couple of hours of hot and sweaty work, the group retired to the Common House for refreshments - hot cross buns and a cuppa.
The second day wrapped up with a lively Mexican potluck dinner at the Common House together with residents of N1 - a wonderful way for the newcomers to get to know those already living on the land.
Delicious culinary offerings at the potluck dinner, all with a Mexican flavour.
Day three, the final day, brought with it some inclement weather. However, after taking a vote, we decided to carry on with plans to head out west to Wharariki Beach, a wild west coast playground of big waves, the iconic Archway Islands, sand dunes, caves, and rock pools where baby seals love to come and play. Well worth the effort and braving the rain!
After lunch at the Mussel Inn, our time together came to a close. But not without community and friendships deepened.
This is what it’s all about!
For anyone feeling excited by the prospect of living more closely with your neighbours in beautiful Golden Bay, please send us a message today! Email kiaora@takakacohousing.co.nz.
