Page 16 - C.A.L.L. #45 - Summer 2019

Communal living fans keen to break hippy

connotations

By Lee Kenny, Aug 17 2018
stuff.co.nz

In a south Christchurch home, eight adults live together, sharing meals and chores. They're
not students or even flatmates, but young professionals who took down the fence between
two suburban properties to create a communal living space.

Curtis and Tash Higginson moved into
an "intentional community" in
Somerfield in March 2017 to live with
six others in two houses. There are
eight adults in two houses, but "we
try to act like one".

"We initially moved into the shared
house then we bought the house
across the road.

Curtis and Tash Higginson moved into an "intentional "We share meals together and only do
community" in Somerfield in March 2017 to live with six one big shop. We share resources and
others in two houses. chores. It works really well."

Curtis works in construction and Tash is a youth worker. He says although he has lived in
shared houses in the past, the group's values set it apart from his other experiences.

"I've flatted in the past and you can be like passing ships, never seeing each other. We make
sure we eat together every day and share our time and our resources."

"We have 'Deep Time' where we share our feelings, it's a space where people can be open
and vulnerable. We also have what we call a 'Good Bubble' and a 'Bad Bubble' at mealtimes.

"A Good Bubble might be thanks to someone who did my chores because I had other things
to do. A Bad Bubble might be a reminder for others not to leave the dishes in the sink. It
works well and keeps everything in the open."

The group recently set-up a food bank in their front garden to help those in need. Anyone
can leave or take produce.

"We had a lady leave half a dozen eggs the other day. We've already got a lot and it's not
even harvest season.

"It's about giving what you can. If people have an excess of something they can donate it to
the community. If people don't, they can take what they need."