About Fareham Journey

A Sustainable Community

A rainbow starts from one end of Fareham House and arcs out over the grounds to finish on the other side of the old school buildings.

Fareham is a historic home set with native bush, established gardens and orchards in Pae Tū Mōkai, Featherston. 

The current kaitiaki, custodians, bought the Fareham property in 2016 with a vision for sustainable living, establishing a creative community, housing for neurodiverse people, and accommodation for large groups and workshops.

The Fareham Journey So Far

In 2023 Fareham Journey Trust became a registered charity, and we began the early work. Including planning what might be possible for a cohousing community in the future, building sustainable homes filled with people who want to be part of a supportive and intentional community.

The cohousing community is being established with the shared decision-making principles inspired by Earthsong Eco Neighbourhood that started in Auckland in 1995.

We have established this vision, had preliminary discussions with the council and commissioned some preliminary reports for the property.

Satellite map of Fareham used as a diorama showing where a cohousing community could be built on the pear gardens surrounding Fareham House.

The Fareham Journey Vision

The Fareham Journey vision is to create a cohousing community where people and the environment thrive.

Our Location

We are located at:

Fareham House,
80 Underhill Road,
Pae Tū Mōkai,
Featherston 5710

The Commute

Approximate commute from Featherston to:

  • Wellington: 1 hour (car or train).
  • Masterton: 40 minutes by car, or 45 minutes by train.

Pae Tū Mōkai, Featherston’s Local Attractions

Fareham is a short distance from the Pae Tū Mōkai, Featherston, main street and shops (1.4 kilometres) and even closer to the Featherston Railway Station (1 kilometre). Featherston is a popular location for people who want to live in the Wairarapa and work in Wellington because of the easy commute by car or by train. 

The area is close to natural attractions and activities such as the Tararuas, Wairarapa Moana, and the Rail Trail. Booktown is an annual event in the town.  

Learn more about Pae Tū Mōkai, Featherston

Fareham Journey Trust Charity

The Fareham Journey Trust charity was registered on 30 May 2023 with the charity number of CC61902.

The charitable purposes are for:

  • Educating  the wider community including young people, about protecting the environment and, in particular, permaculture principles, by providing courses and other resources;
  • Sharing with and gaining knowledge from Māori and other groups about food growing and sustainable practices informed by permaculture principles and providing training opportunities for people to learn more; and
  • Educating and sharing knowledge with those living in the cohousing project at 80 Underhill Road, Featherston, as well as other cohousing developments in the Wairarapa, including sharing ways to mitigate climate change on site.

Our Mātāpono, the principles that guide the Fareham Journey Trust, are:

  • Respecting the dual heritage of the partners of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi);
  • Respecting the cultural diversity of people and communities and encouraging people from all nationalities and backgrounds;
  • Inspiring and enabling people and communities to reach their full potential and take ownership of their future;
  • Maintaining high standards of professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct; and
  • Enabling positive social change from within by building capable communities with the belief, the means, and the opportunities to create sustainable positive outcomes for all stakeholders and future generations.

Our People

Meet members of Fareham Journey Trust charity, who are the visionaries designing a future cohousing community at Fareham.

Four members of Fareham Journey are sitting amongst trees at the entrance to Fareham. The driveway is surrounded by native bush.

Watch this video to learn more about the vision of Fareham Journey from two members of Fareham Journey Trust.

Do You Share Our Kaupapa?

We are seeking others who share our kaupapa and would like to be part of a vibrant, intergenerational community to join us for our next open day. Come and see if you would like to be part of our monthly cohousing design meetings where we plan the neighbourhood together.

Contact us to organise a time to visit, or RSVP to join our next public visit.

Tree branches with wayfinding signs to different areas at Fareham.

Fareham’s History

Fareham House. Image taken from Bayleys Real Estate Ltd 'For Sale' sign. August 2012 | Alison Dangerfield | Bayleys Real Estate Ltd

Photo credit: Fareham House. Image taken from Bayleys Real Estate Ltd ‘For Sale’ sign. August 2012 | Alison Dangerfield | Bayleys Real Estate Ltd

We have learnt some history about Fareham in Pae Tū Mōkai, Featherston. Despite a varied past, Fareham will thrive with opportunities to share the whenua with a sustainable cohousing community living in harmony with the land in the future.

Join the Journey

Do you share our kaupapa?

Are you interested in joining a cohousing community?

Do you want to design a sustainable neighbourhood to live in?

Do you have accessibility needs?

Join us for our monthly cohousing design meeting, share kai, and see for yourself!

Looking up at the sky through the leaves of a large tree with autumn leaves at Fareham. More trees around and in the background