Story: Communes and communities

Christof Schneider, Helen McNeill and Robin Allison, residents of Earthsong Eco-neighbourhood, stand in front of a cluster of houses at the community. Earthsong is a co-housing initiative in Rānui, West Auckland, with 32 dwellings set in 1.6 hectares of organic orchard and native bush. The rammed-earth houses, built from non-toxic materials, feature solar heating and rainwater collection systems. Co-housing communities originated in Denmark, and aim to provide both community and privacy. Earthsong founder Robin Allison says that the initiative is 'about creating a flourishing community. We will not be isolated people living isolated suburban lives. We know our neighbours, we cook for each other, we share our organic veges, we have old people, we have young children.'