Eel sanctuary sign with wooden carvings at Awaawaroa Bay Eco-Village.

Awaawaroa Bay Eco-Village

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Ecological
  • Rural

Founding year

  • 1994

What we do

Awaawaroa Bay Eco-Village owns 169 hectares (420 acres). There is a large wetland and estuarine system and a number of large pockets of regenerating bush. The village established NZ’s first private sanctuary for the endemic long finned eel (tuna – a Maori word for the eel).
A large section of the bush is covenanted with Department of Conservation.
To protect the native wildlife there are no cats or dogs on the property.
Non toxic and energy-efficient building materials and methods are required. An internal building code is in place that is administered by a building committee. Most families use alternative power systems and there are a number of electric cars and bikes and biofuel vehicles on the property.
A communal tractor shed/barn has been built as well as a multi-purpose mud-brick community house and an accompanying abolution block which are used for meetings, celebrations and various group activities.
We aim for a chemical-free environment with all land-use practices to be organic. All land use is organic and several members practise Bio- dynamics. One land-base businesses operate from the community – a certified organic nursery ‘Gulf Trees’ which grows native fauna and another is in the process of being established.
Protecting and enhancing biodiversity in our ecosystems and natural habitats is a priority.

Our Mission

Our community is based on cooperation, honesty and consensus.
We have a willingness to balance individual needs with the greater good of the community, while also valuing people’s diversity.
Our community vision statement is as follows:
“We live in community, creating a safe, sustainable environment that encompasses and enhances wholesome relationships with each other and the land. We are a community who understands that our actions and behaviours influence the world of the future.”
To protect the native wildlife, there are no cats or dogs on the property.

  • Purpose
  • Ecological
  • Community type
  • Ecovillage
  • Activities
  • Farming

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 1994
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 1996
  • Started living together
  • 28 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
49

How to join

Process: New members can only be considered when a share available for sale. It begins with a letter outlining an expression of interest written to the community and is followed by a three months investigation period undertaken by both the community and those expressing an interest in the share. At the end of this time the community votes on the suitability of the applicant.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Visitors need to email and find out if someone is willing to host them, and they will be required to do some work in exchange for hospitality. Several families are registered with the NZ Woofing organisation. We host open days once a year and community events/working bees that they may also be welcome to attend.

Primary decision-making authority

  • All Community Members Together

The whole membership decides collectively.

Decision-making process

  • Full Consensus

Everyone must agree before moving forward.

Governance structure

  • Collaborative/Horizontal

Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a one-time fee, investment, or share purchase to join the community separate from accessing housing
  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Join fee: Yes
Regular fees: $220
Labor: Yes (2 hrs/week)
Members and residents are expected contribute to a monthly working bee which is for one day on the 3rd Sunday of every month.

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Common House, Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Swingsets & play areas, Waterfront access

Frequency of communal meals

  • 1-3 times per month

Dietary restriction

  • People can cook and eat what they want in their own residence

Community activities and engagement

  • WWOOF'ing, Guest Farming

Substance use culture

  • Substance use appears in public spaces but no pressure
  • Substance use occurs primarily at celebrations or ceremonies

Gender composition

  • Roughly balanced (no group over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Family-focused (many children and parents)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a Land Trust, Home Owners Association, or corporation

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Community type

  • Ecovillage

    Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.

Self-produced energy

  • 33 - 66%

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar

Self-produced food

  • 33 - 66%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • 33 - 66%
  • Land area size
    417.6 acres

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Location

  • Auckland, New Zealand

Needs and Offers

Offer
  • Communities with Openings
7 months ago

Worktrade Opportunities on Big Island Hawaii

We are continuing our work-trade program at Bridge Hawaii for the right people on this beautiful 86-acre land located along the Hāmākua Coast. Ideally, we want to host those individuals who can help with the garden and who can support with build projects for up to a 3 month stay. This work-trade would include lodging, food staples, community kitchen, running hot water showers, off-grid electricity, and laundry. There is access to high speed wi-fi. We often have a car that can be reserved. We also have full bar signal strength with Verizon cellphone service. We have about 2 acres of permaculture garden that needs to be cared for including; weeding, planting, picking up mulch, some tree trimming, ect. We are currently in a building stage on the land. We have a few current grant projects we are working on and some build projects that are underway. We are an intentional community with about 8 permanent residents. There are rescue dairy cows, mini cows, mini donkeys, horses, a donkey, cats, dogs, and active bee hives. We are a drug and alcohol “free” space. A glass of wine or beer with dinner is fine, but absolutely no day drinking or parties. We have a meditation temple and many waterfall pools that are wonderful for swimming. Close to some of the nicest beaches on island. We have snorkeling gear and a kayak. Since this is an animal sanctuary, we limit the consumption of meat on the land. Fish, eggs, honey, and dairy are fine. Let me know if you’re interested by sending an email or text for our application. Maomi (801) 623-0738 ma***@*****************ii.com

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A residential project: people live here as their primary home.

Organizations

An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).

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