Otahuna community decides to sell

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33869, 14 June 1975, Page 16

Otahuna community decides to sell

(By

KEN COATES)

The Otahuna Christian Community, after three years existence, has decided to sell the historic homestead, Otahuna. at Tai Tapu, and 26 acres. The property will be auctioned about August 15.

Members of the community. who include three of the five original families, say the decision has been made because families are moving on, and others are becoming committed to activities outside the community. “We feel we have not the resources within the present group to carry on Otahuna :as an open house and seminar centre, the purpose for which the community is here,” they state. “After prayer and reflection. we have unanimously decided to sell Otahuna. By doing this we pray that likeminded groups and organisations will be offered the opportunity to carry on the work begun here.” The community says it is prepared to consider giving; assistance to any group; which wants to buy the pro-i petty to do similar work. The community describes its role during the last three' Ivears as a gathering place for people, for seminars, picnics, as a rehabilitation i centre and a retreat centre ’ for youth groups. i It rates as the most valu-; 'able use "a place for families• !and individuals to experience; i community living as an added [dimension or alternative to j ‘their previous way of life.” ; Otahuna was one of the first communities in the country. and its foundation stemmed from convictions that in many wavs life in the suburbs'hindered a full commitment to a life of Christian values. The founding families sold their houses in Christchurch, and, pooling the funds, bought 47 acres of farmland, trees, bush and shrubberies, as well as the 46-roomed former home of Sir Robert Heaton Rhodes. The property was bought ‘for $87,000 from the Christian Brothers, a Roman Catholic order of teachers. Most of the families were members of the Christian Family Movement. About a year ago, 20 acres was sold. Although community members admit that life in a large rambling house for families and parents has not been all plain sailing, they maintain that the community has by no means been a failure. “We have all come to realise it has been a learning experience about people,” said Michael Malloch. “I don’t think I will ever be an individualist again, and I am interested in a different type of community, with separate dwellings for families

'and a community centre or marae.”

Mrs Kathy Harnett said she had “been able to de-; velop as a person in a way [that would have been impossible in the city." She said that her husband: was being transferred in his Government job, but they ' were interested in living in a community.

I Otahuna had given the 'kind of support necessary’ for (helping others, and for striving for Christian ideals. I The community at one stage grew to seven families. At present it comprises four families, including a retired (couple, and a solo mother ‘with two young children. ( “Anyone' coming here to start ’ another community, ‘would learn a lot about people, if they’ could stand ‘the nace.” said Mr Malloch. [He added that he was bluntly

sceptical about how a similar community at Otahuna would

survive. Western European man found it extremely difficult to adjust to living in a community under one roof. “But [the incredible value is the learning value,” he says. ' “We have experienced here every kind of pressure yo:: ■can think of—we have had

really rough times and reallv [good times. But I don’t think it is an easy life.” ! Improvements have been made, including conversion (of the old stables into a youth .centre. Mr Malloch said that when jthe property was sold, funds [sufficient to enable families Ito buy homes equivalent to those thev sold initially would be distributed. “We are not interested in making a profit," he said. "What is left over could be ■ put into a fund, or could even go towards forming a (different kind of community IWe are interested in the (development of Rolleston."