Tui - Community Lifestyle

Surendra van Susteren built his own home at Tui Community in Golden Bay over a period of years. When the home was nearing completion he approached us for a loan to enable him to repay a personal loan he had used to finance it.

His home is a triple-hexagon design which achieves much of its heating from passive solar gain, although this is supplemented by a wood stove (with wetback and radiators) in the winter. The house is built from trees harvested on the property, has solar water heating and is connected to the community's own independent sewage system.

Surendra has been living at Tui Community for over 13 years. The community itself was established over 20 years ago and has a resident population of around 30 people. He works as the marketing manager for Tui Balmes & Waxes, manufacturer of a well known range of massage waxes and healing balmes made from organic beeswax and natural ingredients. The business was established by community members.

He is also the organiser and a key facilitator of a number of men's workshops that are run regularly each year through the facilities provided at the community by the Tui Spiritual and Educational Trust.

We welcomed this opportunity to support Surendra by refinancing his home and helping to facilitate his sustainable, community-focussed, lifestyle.

For information about the range of workshops run at Tui Community visit www.tuitrust.org.nz