Waikato is getting its first co-housing neighbourhood in Hamilton East with the launch of the Peachgrove East residential development.
Co-housing is an intentional, self-governing, cooperative community where residents live in private homes clustered around shared spaces.
Located at 174 Peachgrove Road, the 48-home urban village is designed to support community through home ownership, wellbeing, sustainability and quality design.
“Our vision is to create something quite unique – a standard of co-housing that hasn’t been achieved in New Zealand before,” said Rick Fourie, director of Living Systems who is leading the development.
“Peachgrove East is about rethinking what ‘home’ can be. My business partner, Ben Preston, and I want to bring a distinctive housing model to Hamilton that’s practical, reasonably priced, future-focused and grounded in what it means to live in community with your neighbours.”
Peachgrove East aims to set a benchmark for healthy, energy-efficient living using internationally recognised Passive House design principles. The neighbourhood also plans extensive native planting, low-waste construction, and innovative on-site approaches to water and energy management.
The range of houses available will include one-bedroom apartments starting around $530,000 to four-bedroom family homes.
Fourie said the vision is to create a restorative, people-focused neighbourhood that blends sustainability and lifestyle without losing sight of what it takes to deliver a commercially viable housing development.
Balancing connection and privacy
The Peachgrove East design combines private homes with shared amenities, including a community house, lounge and dining space, laundry, children’s play area, edible gardens, an orchard, and a wellness space with a sauna.
One of the first homeowners to sign a sale and purchase agreement, Brad White of Cambridge, said he and his family were drawn to the opportunity to live in a neighbourhood where connection is built into everyday life.
“My wife Vicki and I discovered the concept of co-housing in 2017, and we even tried to get a community started in Cambridge a few years ago.
“So, when we learned about what Rick and Ben are doing at Peachgrove East, it really resonated with us. The village design will create a richness of shared experience – neighbours who know each other and look out for one another. That’s the lifestyle we want for our family,” Brad said.
Brad said co-housing is often misunderstood, but the reality is far more balanced than people assume. “People who don’t understand co-housing might conjure up images of a 1960s commune where everyone is living in each other’s pockets. I can assure you, that won’t be the case!
“Peachgrove East will be a place that’s designed for intentional connection with others while protecting private living spaces. And from an environmental perspective, the end-result will be a natural oasis in the city.
“Vicki and I are incredibly impressed with the unique village concept that Living Systems is bringing to life. We’re confident that making our home there will be a fun, challenging and enriching experience.”
A collaboration of experienced partners
Peachgrove East brings together a group of specialist partners who are leaders in sustainability and community development: Smith Architects, Sentinel Homes, and Greenbridge Homes and Landscapes.
Construction partner Nate Alley, owner of Sentinel Homes Waikato, said the project stands out as being led by a design that puts people first.
"What stands out about Peachgrove East is how intentionally the design fosters community," Alley said.
"Rick and Ben have balanced the necessary commercial outcomes with a vision that puts people and shared spaces at the centre. Manaakitanga is a core value for our team at Sentinel Homes and Living Systems resident-first approach aligns perfectly with how we love to build."
Alley noted that constructing to the rigorous Passive House standard brings unique benefits to the project.
"You can immediately feel the difference when you walk into a Passive House build. The focus on thermal efficiency and air quality creates an incredibly comfortable environment year-round. This has been a great project for our team to apply these innovative, sustainable construction methods to.
"However, the most exciting thing for our team is playing our part in using clever, sustainable construction to help create a neighbourhood that genuinely fosters a sense of belonging."
Fourie says groundworks at Peachgrove East will start in May. Construction of the first homes will begin later this year with the first ones to be completed in late 2027.
On Sunday 26 April, the development site will be open to the community from 10-2pm. People are welcome to visit the site, take a tour, meet the development team, and talk to early residents while enjoying kai and fun children's activities.
