Riverside Community

Riverside community, located in Motueka, South Island, New Zealand, is extraordinary for its longevity, its aims, and its internal financial arrangements. It was founded in 1941 and is still a thriving and dynamic community; its aims include egalitarianism, peace, and the support of socially useful charities; and it is the only secular income-sharing community in New Zealand. It has survived internal crises and external pressures, and is adept at adapting to change. For instance, Riverside was founded by Methodist pacifists as a Christian community. It is no longer a Christian community, having dropped this once-vital component of its identity as a response to internal pressures in the 1970s. Pacifism remains important, as does a commitment to what are described as the core values of many world religions. A significant proportion of the community's income every year is donated to local and national charities.

Many early members of Riverside community suffered incarceration for their pacifist beliefs during World War II. Their objections to war did not meet the New Zealand government's criteria for conscientious objection, as they also refused noncombatant service. Consequently, they suffered harsh treatment. Riverside was formed as an alternative vision of the good society. It served as a safe haven for wives of conscientious objectors and a destination upon release for those who had been imprisoned. In the 1970s the community accepted an influx of new members who were looking for a communal lifestyle and embraced many of the principles of Riverside, but wanted to express them in a secular manner. Riverside now describes itself in terms of what it calls the values of world religions, such as doing good, avoiding harm, cooperation, and respect.

Riverside community has always rejected private ownership and is committed to minimal possessions. Its income-pooling system is complex. The internal economy separates work, income, and possession of property. Briefly, membership of Riverside requires giving all of one's property to the community, with the exception of personal possessions, which are kept to a minimum. Members commit to work for forty hours a week for the community. A complex allowance system gives each person a small income for personal needs. Children are allocated less than teenagers who are allocated less than adults. Otherwise, it is an egalitarian system. Basic food, accommodation, heating, and other services are provided by the community. There is a car pool and shared facilities for laundry.

[Page 1180]In February 2001, Riverside's population stood at thirty-three adults and fifteen children, plus nonmember tenants (accepted for the income their rent brings) comprising thirteen adults and ten children. Levels of community interaction are high at Riverside, with collective work, weekly meetings, and, of course, shared ownership and income. Christmas and Easter are celebrated collectively, and weekly meals are served in the community house. Households occupy separate units (flats and houses), although there have in the past been experiments with shared living spaces. The community owns extensive land, including farmland, orchards, and pine forest totaling over 200 hectares. All buildings are community owned, and shared space includes the community hall, which is a large space with kitchens. Accommodation blocks for fruit pickers are communally maintained, as are all areas. Riverside is an attractive community, designed around central green playing space and combining privacy with community.

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