Nestled amidst the stunning landscapes of Golden Bay, New Zealand, the Tākaka Cohousing Neighborhood is an example of community, sustainability, and shared vision. Its story is one of collaboration, perseverance, and the transformative potential of cohousing.
Seeding the Vision:
In 2019, a few like-minded individuals in Golden Bay shared a common dream – to create a community where people could live harmoniously with each other and the natural world. Inspired by the principles of cohousing, they envisioned a neighbourhood where residents could enjoy the benefits of shared resources, mutual support, and meaningful social connections.
Cultivating Collaboration:
The vision for the Tākaka Cohousing Neighbourhood began to take shape as the founding members came together to explore possibilities and lay the groundwork for their community. Meetings, workshops, and brainstorming sessions fueled discussions about shared values, design preferences, and organisational structures. Through consensus-based decision-making and a spirit of open communication, the group forged a strong sense of unity and purpose.
Building the Community:
In 2020, after a year of planning and preparation, the Tākaka Cohousing Neighbourhood took a significant step forward with the purchase of 14.5 ha of land in the heart of Golden Bay. With a site secured, the founders could seek members to join the first neighbourhood of 34 homes and go on the exciting journey of designing and constructing their community from the ground up. Architects, designers, and builders were enlisted to bring their vision to life, incorporating sustainable design features, energy-efficient technologies, and shared amenities.
Navigating Challenges:
The path to realising the first neighbourhood was not without its challenges. Securing suitable land, navigating council consent requirements, and financing the development presented significant hurdles along the way. However, the resilience and determination of the founding members proved to be a driving force, as they remained committed to the vision despite setbacks and obstacles. It was also critical to have the trust and confidence of the residents who supported the vision from the beginning and provided loans to the company to keep moving forward.
Celebrating Completion:
In 2023, the first neighbourhood reached a major milestone with the completion of its first phase of development. A diverse mix of homes, ranging from compact 2 bedroom homes to spacious 3 bedroom family dwellings, now graces the landscape, surrounded by lush gardens, communal green spaces, and shared facilities. Residents began to move in, eager to embrace the joys of community living and forge new connections with their neighbours.
Thriving Together:
Today in 2024, the first neighbourhood of 34 homes and a natural timber frame common house stands as a vibrant and thriving community, where residents come together to celebrate life, share resources, and support each other in times of need. Shared meals, garden working bees, and cultural events foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie, while collaborative decision-making processes ensure that everyone has a voice in shaping the future of their community.
Future phases:
While the first neighbourhood settles into their homes, Mōhua Ventures continues to move forward with the next phases of development. This includes selling some sections of land or house and land packages, building a smaller second cohousing community of 18 homes in 2025-2026, and eventually a third in 2027. It also involves collaborating with the trust (Te Hapori Hauora) to regenerate the surrounding land, mana whenua to build a peaceful garden space, parkland, and the wider community for new ideas and projects.
The story of the Tākaka Cohousing Neighbourhood is a testament to the transformative power of community and the fulfilment that comes from living in harmony with others and the environment. Through collaboration, perseverance, and a shared commitment to their vision, the residents of the first Takaka Cohousing Neighbourhood have created a haven of connection, sustainability, and well-being in the heart of Golden Bay.
We are dedicated to creating community through building cohousing neighbourhoods. The experience of cohousing revolves around forging deep bonds with neighbours, sharing resources, participating in collective activities, and offering mutual support throughout life’s journey.
We are taking expressions of interest now (2025) for the second cohousing neighbourhood.
We are currently asking for $50-$100k loans (not deposits) to reserve a home. The loan gives you the option to purchase a home when they are ready to be sold, likely June 2025 for homes in the second neighbourhood. At that point, we will ask if you would like to convert your loan into a deposit. If you have decided not to buy at this time, then the loan is returned with 5% interest. We are anticipating that the second neighbourhood homes will be complete by mid-end 2026.
Once the sale and purchase is complete, new members will be required to sign a membership agreement and join the Body Corporate that manages the shared land.
See our legal and finance blog here: https://www.takakacohousing.co.nz/blog/cohousing-legal-and-finance
We are happy to show people around but ask to respect the residents’ privacy by pre-booking a tour with us: ki****@****************co.nz
The whole membership decides collectively.
More than 50% agreement needed.
Members elect leaders who make decisions within defined roles.
Read about the decision-making process here: https://www.takakacohousing.co.nz/blog/decision-making-model
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Join fee: $450000
Regular fees: $2250
Labor: Encouraged or suggested
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
Our cohousing neighbourhood is based on a Unit Title model here in NZ, similar to owning an apartment. The amount of money to “buy in” is the cost of the house you are buying, plus a share of the common land. The monthly fees are to a Body Corporate, who manage the shared land.
Common House, Garden(s), Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Large Scale Kitchen, Swingsets & play areas, Internet
Smaller municipalities with local services but rural character.
Private homes with shared common facilities, designed for neighborly
interaction while maintaining independence.
Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace
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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