The Aotearoa Collective Housing Conference
The Aotearoa Collective Housing Conference
The future of housing in Aotearoa, New Zealand, presents a unique opportunity to address critical issues of affordability, climate change, and the integration of indigenous Māori knowledge. The Housing Innovation Society (THIS) believes collective housing is key to addressing these challenges.
As housing prices continue to soar, collective living models—such as co-housing and shared communities—can reduce costs through shared resources and infrastructure. These models also lend themselves to sustainability, with energy-efficient designs and communal spaces that lower environmental footprints.
Conference sessions and themes include:
- Interdisciplinary approaches & community development to collective housing
- Urban commoning and shared spaces
- Politics and policies in collective housing
- Sustainability & technological innovations in collective housing
- Indigenous architecture and collective housing
- Economic models for collective housing
- Global perspectives & innovative case studies for collective housing
Planned Event Timetable
15th April 2025
Networking Gala Dinner
Hosted at 6pm at Visions on Campus, Ara Institute of Canterbury Hospitality School Restaurant – 3 Course Dinner and wine pairing
16th April 2025
Arrival & Registration — 8 – 8:30 am
Arrive at Ara Institute of Canterbury, K – Block. Parking Available on Campus. Head to the K-Block (off Moorhouse Avenue) to receive your badge and instructions for the day.
Karakia, welcome & Introduction — 8:30 – 9:30 am
Opening and welcome:
Robert de Roo – Head of School Engineering and Architectural Studies
James Winter – The Housing Innovation Society Chair
Irene Boles – Conference Chair
Keynote Speakers — 9.30 – 10.15am
Morning Tea — 10:15 – 10:45am
Break up into Sessions for Academic Guests and Workshops — 10.45 – 12pm
LUNCH — 12pm – 1pm
Keynote Speaker — 1pm – 1.30pm
Break up into Sessions for Academic Guests and Workshops — 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Afternoon Tea – 3:30pm-4pm
Panel Discussion – 4 – 4:30pm
Book Launch & Exhibition opening – 5pm – 7pm
17th April 2025
Site Visits
A series of site visits will showcase the diversity of options for Collective Housing in Aotearoa New Zealand. More details to come.
Full details and updates to this programme can be found on the Cohohui website.
Find out more at cohohui.com or register now using the button link below.