We are a Quaker intentional community, situated on the northern outskirts of Whanganui, New Zealand.
There are 17 households of Quakers and non-Quakers, with current residents aged between 2 and 90 years old (as of 2025). Each week we gather for a shared meal, there is also a weekly working bee and coffee morning, and we hold regular work weekends and Quaker seminars throughout the year.
There is no individual ownership of land: tenure is therefore not “ownership” rather “guardianship”. Our site is owned by a Quaker Trust set up in 1975. New residents normally live here on a trial period of 6-12 months before having the option to apply to live here long term. Land is shared, but homes may be either rented or purchased (as a “licence to occupy”). Each resident is encouraged to take on a responsibility within the community that fits with their level of physical abilities and available free time. Residents share all management responsibilities and work cooperatively using spiritually discerned decision-making.
We are guardians of 20 acres of pasture, gardens and regenerating native bush. Infrastructure is minimal: carports are centralised and vehicular access minimised. Part of the Settlement’s mission is to find more sustainable ways of living together and developing a permaculture approach to our use of the land.
We are a community built on the Quaker values of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship.
The first step is to visit and spend some time getting to know us, attending shared meals and so on. The next step is to apply, stating the reasons you feel it is a good fit for you and the community. The next step would be to rent a house here (if available) for 6-12 months, and following that there would be an opportunity to apply to live here long term.
There are a number of different ways to visit the Quaker Settlement. You can stay here as a Wwoofer, helping with projects in exchange for accommodation. We also invite people to join us on any Tuesday morning for a short working bee and morning tea or on any Saturday evening for a shared community meal. We hold regular work weekends during the year which involve two full days of land care tasks, such as tree planting, as well as shared meals and an evening concert. We also hold a Quaker seminar programme. You can also just come here for a holiday – if you’d just like to visit us for a few nights we have a variety of accommodation options, including motel style units and basic cabins.
The whole membership decides collectively.
Everyone must agree before moving forward.
Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.
There are many sub groups for managing different aspects of community life, eg premises maintenance
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Regular fees: Yes
Labor: Encouraged or suggested (2 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
Labour contribution is strongly encouraged, but is always dependent on the abilities and availability of the individual. We hold a weekly management meeting which all members are expected to attend as often as possible.
Common House, Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Swimming pond or pool, Large Scale Kitchen, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Internet
Residential areas outside city centers but within metropolitan regions.
Private homes with shared common facilities, designed for neighborly
interaction while maintaining independence.
Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.
Residential communities focused on providing space for meditation, spiritual practice, and personal growth retreats.
A residential project: people live here as their primary home.
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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