David and I have lived in the Earthsong Eco-Neighbourhood for two years. Our association with this co-housing project began in 2002 when one of our daughters was house-hunting. With her we visited Earthsong on an Open Day and saw a rather raw construction site and learned about the vision for an ecologically and socially sustainable community in a modern urban setting.
Our daughter Fiona bought the last of the 17 houses built in Stage I. David and I became members of Earthsong and purchased the house next door to Fiona in 2003 when it came up for resale. We rented this house out for the next four years while involving ourselves in community life and considering whether or not it was for us. We joined in common meals, attended endless meetings and added our energy to working-bees as the remaining 15 houses and the Common House were built.
David and I were amazed at how the early residents could, by consensus, create this community of their visioning, guiding the project themselves through all the hazards of development by sheer hard work, good processes, tenacity and community effort. Not everyone has been a stayer, but a core group (with many add-ons) has brought Earthsong successfully through to April of this year when we celebrated, with a gala, the completion of construction work with the visionaries, professionals, mentors and supporters who have been part of the project since 1995.
Earthsongers, as we refer to ourselves, tend to articulate their various opinions well, so coming to consensus can be a huge challenge. I value this aspect of life here, though initially I found it quite intimidating. Decision making here requires patience. At times things happen more slowly than I would like, but I realise that enabling everyone to 'own' our decisions is important when we live in community.
Life could become totally absorbing within Earthsong as we celebrate the seasons, birthdays,run movie evenings etc. However,one is constantly challenged to an activist life-style beyond these boundaries which takes us outside ourselves to grapple with the big issues facing NZ and the planet. Into this mix come all the connections David and I have brought with us from our life outside Earthsong with work colleagues, family and other interest groups. Quite simply, 24 hours doesn't seem time enough each day to do everything.
With the construction period now behind us, we Earthsongers have time to grow our lives together, practice permaculture and share our model with other people. We are constantly getting requests for visits. They range from architectural students to gardeners, from Council staff to overseas visitors. We hire out rooms in the Common House for groups with similar visions to meet or to run workshops. We are struggling a little with how to manage this outreach aspect of life here.
Did David and I realise what we were letting ourselves in for? Not entirely, for how can you know unless you enter into the relationship and live it.......a bit like marriage? Like marriage it is rewarding.
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