Vision Statement
Ahi Wai is a supportive intergenerational community and a model of sustainable urban living
Principles
1.1 We honour indigenous culture and the role of Tangata Whenua in our history and daily lives.
1.2 Our shared facilities and spaces form the heart of our neighbourhood
1.3 Our landscape supports connections between ourselves, our facilities and our abundant earth
1.4 Our built environment supports our private and shared lives in an environmentally friendly way.
1.5 Our culture supports inclusion, intergenerational living and friendliness.
1.6 We support environmental awareness by engaging with our wider community.
1.7 We embody an environmentally considered way of life.
1.1 We honour indigenous culture and the role of Tangata Whenua in our history and daily lives.
- We are knowledgeable about the pre-colonisation history of Te Parawhau including the use of this site.
- We have on-going relationships with kaumatua from Te Parawhau and are guided by their insights.
- Tikanga Maori (eg. karakia, waiata, mihi, whakapapa) are regular practices.
1.2 Our shared facilities and spaces form the heart of our neighbourhood
- The village green and common house are the social focal points (eating, sitting, conversing).
- The common house is a hub for services (recycling, utilities, library).
- The common house functions as a communal “spare bedroom” for residents to house their guests.
1.3 Our landscape supports connections between ourselves, our facilities and our abundant earth
- Walkways encourage human powered transit eg, walking, cycling, prams, wheelchairs, skateboards.
- Renewable sources of energy are preferred and promoted.
- Pathways form a strong sense of connectedness throughout the neighbourhood.
- Vegetation is carefully considered in terms of function (eg ease of gathering), relative location and the value of diversity.
- Productive plantings are alongside daily flow paths.
- Accessways allow for emergency services and the occasional passage of large materials.
- Our landscape captures and uses as much of the site’s natural resources as possible.
- We draw inspiration from nature’s patterns and seek to observe and better understand.
1.4 Our built environment supports our private and shared lives in an environmentally friendly way.
- The externals of private dwellings have a suitable balance between public and private spaces to encourage community interaction and provide for personal solitude.
- The arrangement of buildings encourages universal access & mutually respectful communication
- The primary accessways to buildings are suitable for all abilities and in all weather (underfoot and overhead).
- Houses are built to a high level of energy efficiency and well-being.
- Houses are designed to make use of natural heating / cooling systems.
- Materials and processes are selected with a preference for minimal/lower environmental impact.
- Entrance ways are welcoming to all and symbolic of our values.
- Buildings are modest in scale and encourage simplicity of living.
- Homes are designed to include features that match the lifespan of people (from very young to very old).
- Car parking is restricted to the designated car parking area.
1.5 Our culture supports inclusion, intergenerational living and friendliness.
- Teenagers and children are appreciated, consulted and have decision-making powers.
- The built environment encourages play and interaction of all age groups.
- Clear-decision-making and robust conflict resolution processes are used.
- People’s diverse ideas are respectfully expressed and considered.
- The margins of thought and social norms are valued and explored.
- Processes that enable people on limited or fixed incomes to join, are considered.
- We support one another.
- Sharing of resources is encouraged.
1.6 We support environmental awareness by engaging with our wider community.
- We interact, consult and support our surrounding schools and other educational institutes.
- We support other ecological initiatives that are judged appropriate.
- We have an active and accessible web presence.
1.7 We embody an environmentally considered way of life.
- We use natural processes as much as possible and avoid inorganic treatments.
- We have a preference towards edible plantings.
- Our neighbourhood supports recycling, composting and waste minimisation.
- Change is generally viewed as a creative opportunity.
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