About Kōwhai Cohousing
A cohousing neighbourhood in Mohua, Golden Bay, New Zealand
Our Story
In 2019 a group with a shared vision for a cohousing community came together. They envisioned a neighbourhood built around mutual support, shared resources, and sustainable living.
Through consensus-based planning and community workshops, the founding members developed their values and design direction together, in 2020 they purchased 14.5 hectares of land in Tākaka, and began recruiting the 34 households that would form the Kōwhai Cohousing neighbourhood.
Architects and builders were brought on to realise a design incorporating sustainable features and shared amenities. The path wasn't smooth, land acquisition, council consents, and financing were all significant hurdles, but early residents helped keep things moving by providing loans to the project.
By 2023 the homes were complete, set among gardens and communal green spaces. 2024 saw a full complement of 34 homes alongside a natural timber-frame Common House, with residents sharing meals, working bees, and community events.
The Kōwhai Name
After almost three years existing under the default name of 'Tākaka Cohousing' given to us by the building developer, Mohua Ventures, the time came for us to find our own identity. The long process of finding our own name finally came to fruition in early 2026, when we officially became Kōwhai Cohousing.
Why Kōwhai? Our reasons are numerous and varied, but overall we agreed that the Kōwhai tree, for us, represented joy, friendliness, and rejuvenation. We wanted to allude to our work planting trees, attracting wildlife and restoring some of the land around us, with many Kōwhai already growing here.
We liked the connection to the yellow of the sun that powers our substantial solar set-up, providing electricity to all of our 34 homes, plus the common house (and lots of bikes and cars too!) And we shared stories of growing up near and amongst Kōwhai trees in our childhoods and previous homes.
And now...
And now! We are 65 people (give or take), including 15 children figuring out how to live harmoniously with our neighbours, and the land we're on. The challenges are numerous, the surprises are frequent, and the benefits are huge and still unfolding.
If you are interested in learning more you can contact us, learn more about our membership, or join our mailing list.
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