After years of fund raising, planning and adjusting our design the work of actually constructing an Abbeyfield house in Golden Bay commenced on April 3rd, 2006.

The land was donated by Fonterra, fulfilling a pledge made by local milk producers and Tasman Milk Products prior to the dairy industry consolidation.

The project had finally come together when Housing New Zealand Corporation accepted the project as suitable for funding under the Housing Innovation Fund programme. The funding package included a generous grant and substantial loan at concessional rates, facilitated through Abbeyfield Partnerships Ltd, a wholly owned not for profit subsidiary of Abbeyfield New Zealand Inc.

The local Committee have been generously supported by local residents and businesses who have donated cash and materials. The local Committee would like to also acknowledge the substantial assistance received from the Canterbury Community Trust and the Tasman District Council.

The construction team, led by Fitzgerald Construction, Solleys Contractors Ltd and Works Infrastructure Ltd completed the project in November 2006 and the first residents moved in on November 18th. The project was ably managed by local architectural designer and Bay identity, Andy Clark.

November 2006: the official opening

Abbeyfield International  Chairman John Turnbull after unveiling the plaque	Chairperson Bev Jensen reads a congratulatory message from Richard Carr Gomm presented by John Turnbull

The slide show (below) shows the house growing each week from early April 2006

If you would like to register your interest in becoming a resident of the new Abbeyfield in Commercial Street, Takaka, please contact:

Ann Jones
phone (03) 525 9547
email: jonestakaka@clear.net.nz
c/o PO Box 55, Takaka

For all other enquiries:

Bev Jensen [Chairperson]
phone (03) 524 8062 (after hours)
email: bjen@paradise.net.nz