Thoughts from the houses on Holland Ave

Some friends share their learning and experience as pioneers in Tamaki, Auckland

Living as pioneers within a neighbourhood of intense activity has provided us, as a group of young people, with an extraordinary opportunity for personal growth.

Through the simple activities of sharing daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, gardening—we are learning about strengthening bonds of friendship.

Planning and carrying out core activities together, hosting Feasts and Holy Days , devotions and regular meetings to consult and check in on each other’s well-being has become the foundation of a growing sense of companionship and unity.

The general community is diverse and family oriented. We see the children from our classes regularly and their parents are now the friends that we hang out with, invite to dinners and Holy Days and share our vegetables and fireworks with.

For some of us, the reality of life for our neighbours and the influence of social forces within our community was a new experience. We are still learning about the reality of the lives of others and the various ways of coping with challenges.

Learning about the importance of consultation is one thing, but having the opportunity to practise it together every day is fantastic. We appreciate the vision of the positive environment we are striving to create together that calls us to care for and support each other, work towards the same goals and walk a path of service.  

In striving to live coherent lives as individuals, we are also aware that we are striving to live a coherent life as a team. Our individual daily routines, our separate work and study schedules have gradually become integrated to the functioning of the whole. Now after several years, we can see the glimmer of what this level of unity can look like and are reminded of how important it is for all of us.