March 09, 2018
Marae-based eco-village tears down Flaxmere fences
Hastings District Council and the Heretaunga Taiwhenua have signed off on plans to build a long-awaited housing development in Flaxmere.
Councillor and Flaxmere champion Henare O’Keefe says Wai Ngakau village will be a mix of rent-to buy and private ownership eco-housing costing at most $380,000 a umit.
The car-free development will be centred on a marae with a wellness centre and other facilities included.
He says it will be life changing.
"The old mantra, it takes a village to raise a child, we're going back to that. Our people will be coerced into fellowship with one another, talking to one another. You'll be passing your neighbour, no fences, we will have kind of hedges that will still give you your privacy but you can still see through it," Mr O'Keefe says.
The first 10 of what could be up to 75 homes should be completed this year.
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