A clustered community of 15 energy-efficient, eco-friendly houses in a “permaculture paradise” is the vision for Turanga Farm, an eco-hamlet forming now. The land is 58 hectares (145 acres), mainly rolling (some flattish, some steep), about a quarter hour's drive from the eastern edge of the suburbs of Auckland. It is not highly fertile, arable land, but it grows good grass on which we raise sheep and beef cattle. About half the land is in pasture, and the balance is treed—mostly with scrub and regenerating native bush, but also with some beautiful mature bush blocks, and with timber plantations and little orchards of several sorts. We are well supplied with water, from two bores, a number of ponds, and a permanent stream. Our aim is to be self-sufficient in meat, eggs, fruit, milk, honey, and some vegetables. We (the seven families involved at this stage) have agreed that the houses will be passive solar designed, use energy-efficient appliances, and have solar water heating. There is a strong push in addition for PV panels and for a wind turbine or other form of renewable generation. Sewage will be treated on site with a package system using vermicomposting.

At this stage we have access roads to the development site that are formed but not yet sealed, a site plan, and “resource consent” from the local council (i.e., approval in principle). We are about to begin the more detailed engineering and other planning in order, we hope, to receive building approvals for access roads to the houses, and for the houses and common house themselves. Our schedule is to be able to start construction in the next construction season (October 2009 through to about May). Our legal documents are near their final form. Each family will own their own roughly quarter-acre lot, plus a one-fifteenth share of the farm as a whole, which will be run by an incorporated society consisting of all the members. In practice, a farm manager will do most of the farming; at present this role is carried out by the founder and one other member, who are both learning to farm organically through Organic Farm NZ, and who work on the farm two days a week. When they wish to retire from this job, it may be necessary for the members to pay a part-time farm manager.

Lots at Turanga Farm don't yet have a final price tag but are expected to cost $300,000 or more. (This is not particularly expensive by Auckland standards.)