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. 
  • 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.