Written by Jonathan Killick 
Ruth Tahana-Wood does not believe that 28 days’ notice is sufficient to terminate a residential tenancy.
photograph: Staff / Ricky Wilson
It’s supposed to be a haven for healing and spiritual awakening, but residents of the Kawai Purapura community say they felt hurt and deceived.
The successor to the former Centrepoint Commune, it has been built since 2008 on a bush block opposite the Albany Shopping Center. It is still home to about 70 residents and his 30 temporary workers.
But residents Stuff spoke to said they had recently returned home after wandering around with itinerant travelers and were met with bad news.
He had just rebuilt a tarot card reading hut, but now he fears it will be demolished.
That’s because community members recently received an email from the property owner, Prema Trust, telling them they have 28 days to vacate by the end of May.
Kawai Purapura residents spent months rebuilding a tarot hut that promises “on the spot” card readings for $65.
photograph: Staff / Ricky Wilson
Another resident, Flynn Rutherford, said, “They told us that the foundations of this community were honesty, communication, transparency, compassion, and empathy, and yet they completely betrayed their spirit with these actions.” It’s contrary to that,” he said.
Prema Trust is run by trustees Phil Cottingham and his wife Jenny, also known as Sivitiri. They are behind Karekare’s Wellpark College of Naturopathic Medicine and Sacred Earth Retreat.
Mr Rutherford said the money collected as rent from Kawai Purpura appeared to have been spent on trusts and other failed ventures related to elaborate trips to India.
“They treated this place like a cash cow and milked our nipples to wither,” he said.
“All they care about is the ability of this place to generate money for them. Beyond that, these spiritual beliefs have no resonance for them.”
Flynn Rutherford said residents’ decades of efforts to clear the land had been “thrown back in their faces”.
photograph: Staff / Ricky Wilson
Prema Trust chairman Phil Cottingham told staff he was limited in his ability to comment, but said: “I am aware of the following.” [residents] He was angry.”
”[But,] What I can tell you now is that no money is being spent on pilgrimages or other organizations. ”
He said “substantial funds” had been reinvested into Kawaipurapura and its upkeep.
“Of course we still have a ways to go. These things are progressive, but a lot of money has been spent.”
Cottingham did not deny that the trust was facing financial problems. Wellpark College, owned by Prema Trust, went into liquidation following a shareholder resolution last year.
Photo of Philip and Jenny (Sivitori) Cottingham, 2010.
photograph: Staff / Ricky Wilson
Company records show it owed creditors about $500,000.
Meanwhile, the Albany property is valued at about $9 million.
“We need to understand that we are a charitable trust and we have a duty to ensure that the welfare of the trust is our priority and the decisions have been made in the welfare of the trust,” Mr Cottingham said. .
In contrast, the property occupied by the Cottingham family’s Sacred Earth Retreat in Karekare is owned directly by them rather than in a trust.
However, its website says it has a shrine named after Shivitri, is “supported” by the Prema trust and is used for “pious songs and chants”.
Many of Kawai Purapura’s homes date back to the Center Point era.
photograph: Staff / Ricky Wilson
“Whispers of the wind” surrounding a mysterious buyer
The Albany property was put up for sale last year, but was reportedly pulled after failing to find a buyer, leading residents to believe the area was safe.
However, Prema Trust informed Kawai Purapura residents in an email that it had recently been approached by an unexpected buyer and has decided to sell.
The email did not include the buyer’s name, but said the buyer had participated in several community events and workshops and was committed to preserving “the nature and spirituality of the property.” was.
One resident told staff he had heard “whispers on the wind” as to their true identity. “I’ve danced with him before and he has good energy.”
But Cottingham’s letter also said the buyer would need to carry out extensive renovations to meet code compliance, and that residents would have to leave for “health and safety” reasons.
Although living in a communal environment has its quirks, residents say Kawaipurapura’s natural environment has a positive impact on their lives.
photograph: Staff / Ricky Wilson
The person, who identified himself only as Kartik, said the ambiguity had fueled speculation in the community that the land might be redeveloped as a residential subdivision.
“I don’t know what the deal was with the new owners, but it’s strange that they’re asking me to vacate…Who has that much money that they can afford to lose 1 million a year in rent? ?” said Kartik. .
He said he sympathized with some of the residents, who are in their 60s and have lived on the site for 40 years, who may suddenly have to face Auckland’s rental market.
The community held a meeting and decided to apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to determine whether the eviction notice was legal.
Resident Ruth Tahana-Wood said she was “disgusted” that things had ended after living there for 10 years.
“I thought I would get 90 days because I have my own property here, which is normal…but 28 days to move out and find a property is just not possible. .”
Tahanawood said she and others have put a lot of effort into building the facility.
“They should have known a long time ago that they were signing on the dotted line to sell. Why weren’t they told sooner? Maybe it’s because they might stop paying rent.”
– This story was first published by thing.
