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. About half the land is in pasture, and the remaining is in trees — some scrub and regenerating native bush, timber plantations, orchards, as well as significant areas of beautiful mature bush. 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 founding group of four families) 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 the main access road to the development site almost completed and sealed, and most of the infrastructure is complete. We have a site design, and “resource consent” from the local council (i.e., approval in principle). We are currently working on the concept design for our Community House and 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 $350,000 or more. (This is not particularly expensive by Auckland standards.) We expect the lots to be available for sale in August 2012.

We are committed to being accessible to a mixture of ages, and we are therefore offering a number of Equity Mortgages especially to young families.