See how we've grown

Since 1964

1973 - To Friends of Wilderland

Those people who have had any close acquaintance with Wilderland will know that for several years people in need of a new or different environment have been coming there. Most - though not all - of these people are young, have a background of city life, with which they have become dissatisfied, and are interested in a return to closer contact with the land and nature. The common factor one observes among them is that of the questioning of the static values and a search in their lives inwardly to find a true relationship with others.

Read the rest...

The number here varies greatly. Sometimes there are just a few of us, at other times there have been 40 or more.

The provision of suitable - even minimum - accommodation costantly confronts us. So steps have been taken to erect a buildino which will provide basic facilities: washing and cooking, eating and gathering, along with a craft-work area.

PRESENT PLANS ADE FOR THE ERECTION OF A DURABLE ROOF STRUCTURE, approx. 60 x 24 feet, SUPPORTED ON TANALISED POLES, THEN FOR WALLS, FLOOR AND FITTINGS TO BE ADDED.

The walls will be various, as different young people interested will do sections in such materials as split stone, mud brick, old windows or natural timber. Most of the work will be done by learner-helpers living here.

The question remains as to how the costs are to be met! A donation of $500, to start the work, has been received from a friend who has taken an interest in what he has seen going on here. From this season's return at our roadside stall we can also allocate $500 to the project. But as the building area will be approx. 2,000 so. feet - part of it having two floors - the total cost will be considerably more than $1,000.

We are therefore open to receive further donations (large or small) or help in any way. Some of it is already forthcoming, in fact this note has been written at the suggestion of a helpful visitor.

Dan & Edith Hassen
11 . 3 . 73 .

2000 - Film about Wilderland

I'n 2000 the show National Land Country Calendar, came by to do a 20 min documentary.

Comparative analysis of
intentional communities
in New Zealand

Read here

2011 - Thesis

Through acomparative analysis of four long-establishedintentional communities in New Zealand,this thesis examinesthe extent to which each onehas sustained, adapted or abandoned its original ideals and aspirationsover time. Analysis of in-depth interviews with current and former participants revealsways thatideological beliefs, organisational processes,and foundation structures have shapedthe distinctive cultures that have developedin each community. Therelevance of the assertion that long-lived intentional communities share acommon purposeanda desire to live beyond mainstream society, and the assumption that longevity and survival can be considered to bethe same thing, are challenged. It is concluded that ownership structuresfor holding land are significant tothe longevityof intentional communities, and that the distinctions that once existed between these long-established communities and the larger society that they are situated within have become less clear over time.