Change in trustees for Atamai ecovillage

October 16th, 2013
[Press release supplied]

The trusteeship of Atamai Land Trust, the developer for Atamai Village, off the Motueka Valley Highway, has transferred from Jurgen and Kyoko Heissner to Ben van der Wijngaart and Jack Santa Barbara. Linda Philipson of Bamford Law, has agreed to remain a trustee.

Mr van der Wijngaart said that Jurgen and Kyoko Heissner have served the trust for over five years and brought the project to a landmark position. "The next phase of the development requires a different management approach," he said.

"The Trust now controls substantial areas of land for development, and approval has been granted by Tasman District Council for approximately 40 titles in addition to a shared commons. Several homes are now under construction, to join the homes already established within the Atamai Village domain.

"Jack and I have been part of the project board overseeing the village project for some time and are familiar with all aspects of the development", he said. We share the same passion for establishing a resilient community that can better adjust to the anticipated future climate, energy and economic changes.

"The new trustees will also be supported by an expanded project team," he said. "We are particularly delighted that Andrew and Petra Stephenson of Motueka will be joining our existing project manager, Damon Weiss, as part of that team."

Ben, Jack and the project team are looking forward to an exciting next 6 or 7 months, which will see a busy season of development at Atamai Village. Work is planned for the creation of a further two clusters of titles as well as an expansion of the existing Commons.

Ben said Atamai Village was the largest local development currently being undertaken and that the new trustees are keen to support local and regional businesses.

"I believe that the village development and private building activity will make a substantial and enduring contribution to the local economy, and many villagers have already made a positive contribution to the local community.

"Jurgen will now focus on his own development activities on properties adjacent to Atamai land. We would like to thank him for his past contributions since the inception of the Atamai project."

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