A directory of belonging
Places where community is built into where you live — not another club to visit, but somewhere the people around you are part of daily life. Monasteries that welcome guests, cohousing, co-ops, ecovillages, seniors villages, and neighbourhoods that actually function. Start where you are.
Compiled with AI, checked by nobody yet. These are starting points, gathered for Waikato — real places as far as we know, but details change. Verify with a phone call before you set your heart or drive across the state.
Raglan Cohousing is an emerging cohousing project aiming to create a sustainable and intergenerational neighbourhood. Residents will share common facilities while maintaining private homes, fostering a strong sense of community and mutual support.
Oasis Network provides shared living opportunities in Hamilton, aiming to foster community and connection among residents. They offer furnished rooms and common spaces for social interaction.
A land co-operative founded in the 1970s in a remote valley near Colville, where members steward bush, gardens and off-grid homes together. It welcomes people seeking a quiet, cooperative life close to nature at the top of the Coromandel.
Earthsong is an award-winning urban ecovillage demonstrating sustainable living practices in a suburban setting. Residents share common facilities and actively participate in community governance.
Visit website →Riverside Community is an intentional community focused on sustainable living and social justice. They operate a biodynamic farm and offer various workshops and retreats.
Visit website →A spiritual retreat and conference centre overlooking Lake Taupō, cared for by a small resident community since the 1970s. Groups and individuals of all traditions are welcomed for retreats, gatherings and volunteer stays in its gardens and lodges.
Visit website →This community is based around a converted woolshed, offering a rural living experience with shared resources and a focus on sustainable practices. It provides a space for individuals and families seeking a collaborative and environmentally conscious lifestyle.
Nestled in the Waitetuna Valley, this community emphasizes self-sufficiency, permaculture, and a connection to nature. Members share land and resources, working together to create a resilient and supportive living environment.
An organic community farm and educational trust founded in 1964 on the Coromandel coast, one of New Zealand's longest-running intentional communities. It welcomes volunteers and learners who come to live simply, garden organically and care for the land.
While not a traditional 'community', Tūhoe Te Uru Taumatua represents a strong iwi-led community development with a focus on collective well-being and cultural preservation. Their living arrangements are deeply integrated with their tribal identity and land.
Visit website →Cambridge Oaks offers a vibrant and secure community for those aged 55 and over, providing independent living with a range of shared amenities. Residents enjoy a social atmosphere with various activities and support services available.
Visit website →Forest Lake Gardens is a well-established retirement village offering a continuum of care options within a supportive community setting. It provides residents with comfortable living spaces and access to a wide array of social and recreational facilities.
Visit website →The Village at Pukekura offers a vibrant retirement living option with a strong sense of community for seniors. Residents enjoy a range of amenities and social activities designed to promote an active lifestyle.
Visit website →The other path
If your state's list is thin, that's not a dead end; it's the reason this project exists. Three friends on one street is already a community. The guide walks you through the whole path.
Start a community — the guide Create or join a group Register your interestBrowse by state