Eco-Village Living
When I think of an 'eco-village', I think of ageing hippies tending to massive veggie gardens, wearing togas and hugging trees. So when I found a placement on Help X in a home that is part of an eco-village, I had some reservations. I eat meat, I like taking long showers, and I'm not particularely passionate about environmental issues, so I was wondering what I was getting myself into.

I committed to spending a week working with a family in the Otamatea Eco-Village which is about an hour and a half north of Auckland and was hoping for the best. I had done the working for accommodation thing many times in hostels, but never on a farm living with a family, so I was excited but probably a bit more apprehensive than anything. I was picked up at a cafe near to the village by the mom, given a friendly hello and ushered around as she ran a few errands before heading back to the village.

We drove for about 10 minutes off the highway towards the coast, eventally turning down what I learned later was a 6km long driveway leaving to the 15 plots of land that comprised Otamatea Eco-Village. The setting couldn't have been more stunning! All of the large properties had plenty of tree, rolling hills, and access to the water. Though the community members hold common land where they graze cows and grow fruit, their personal plots of land are more or less theirs to do with what they wish.

This meant that there were all sorts of different types of buildings, some long finished and some just being built. Though the community strives to be as environmentally friendly and self-sustaining as possible, they are also realistic. All of the houses are hooked up to the main grid for electricity, have phones and most are also hooked up to the internet. Some people try to use wind and solar power but it is not enforced. They even eat their own cows! New ideas are always being shared and it is a very creative environment.

My hosts had been living in a small, cramped house for several years, but definately learned how to maximise their space and turned it into a home theatre on some nights. Many neighbours would come around for some wine and a movie - sometimes the latest Hollywood flick and often interesting political documentaries. When I visited, they had just completed the design for their new home, complete with a massive theatre room and a chill out tower! Building methods from straw bale to mud brick were being researched and planning permissions being attained, but I am sure the shovel is in the ground by now.

I worked about 4 hours per day doing things like weeding, general tidying, and cooking. The work was relaxed and my hosts were keen to chat and make sure I was enjoying myself. I loved being out in the country in a very creative environment and couldn't have asked for better hosts. The community try to meet once a week for a pot luck dinner and hold meetings every two months to discuss any issues they are facing.

I was fascinated to see sustainable living principles being put into place and just enjoyed being around people who were truly not caught up in the rat race. It was an eye opener, inspiring, refreshing and something to strive towards, I think. If you are interested in visiting Otamatea Eco-Village and perhaps helping out, have a look at their website.

By: Kirsty Henderson
February 2005