History

Dan Hansen was a man of talent, vision, and a strong conviction, and with the support of his wife and the men and women who joined the project; a self-reliant and sustainable community, and New Zealand's longest-running organic farm, grew under his guidance.

Thousands of people have spent time at Wilderland over the years, and many have been touched with invaluable experiences that enhance their ongoing life journey.

The Wilderland story, from the writings of founder Dan Hansen…

My part in bringing about the development which has come to be known as Wilderland has lain in an attempt to live in a manner which is not constrained by any limited concept or determined by any particular tradition, ideology, or goal (such as merely “making money”, furthering the belief of a religious concept, following a pattern for living laid down by some idealist or utopian philosopher, or anyone claiming “higher” authority).

My underlying concern has been simply to live intelligently; to learn from whatever occurs, to be open to experimentation and exploration and in a way which is not bound by a conclusion.

As I see it the social implication or significance of this relates to the consideration of what is the need of mankind and of the world at large. A particular concern of mine has been the need of children and developing young adults.

A brief history

The property was acquired by Edith (my wife) and myself in October 1964. It had been abandoned by the previous owner 8 years earlier and was in a state of complete neglect.

It was our intention at the time to take the venture on jointly with another family but the vandalised and derelict condition of the one small old house existing was considered by them to be inadequate to their needs, so they withdrew.

We had then to decide whether to take on the venture without them. At that time I was 46 years of age and Edith 51. We had to cope in face of my paraplegic condition, which had existed since spinal injury occurred in a mishap in 1940. We were accompanied only by our 14-year old daughter and one young man of 19.

The finance available was sufficient only to meet a little less than half the price as a down payment on the property, so a start was made without any working capital.

The subsequent need of money for building, equipment, trees, roads and facilities of all kinds has been met by hard work coupled with frugal living. Loan finance has never been taken to any degree. Innovation, ingenuity, adaptability and readiness to accept risk have presented a constant challenge to us. But it should be emphasized that at no time money been derived from the growing or sale of drugs or any other illegal activity. (We have always lived free from the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs of all kinds. Our diet is basically home-grown organic vegetarian.)

Through the years many people have shared, life on the property. An early participant in this respect suggested "Wilderland" as a name (from Tolkien's book "Lord of the Rings") and this was accepted.

An interest in discovering what the "Hippie" movement was all about opened the door to many young people involved in that concept, in those years. However the drift into drug use and abuse which many of them became involved in eventually led to the realisation that we could not carry on if we were involved with that sort of thing. Wilderland has therefore maintained a "no drugs, alcohol or tobacco" position for almost 10 years now.

In 1966 sales of produce in a roadside stall commenced (initially using a tent) and this has continued to the present day, a shop being built for this purpose in 1971.

Over the years there has been constant development of orchards and gardens, a beekeeping enterprise and some craft work. From the outset all of this has been of the organic concept, now much in mind of the general public, but then very little understood or appreciated.

The greater part (about 80%.) of the land is being retained in regenerating native bush and work has been done to assist this regrowth. This has been seen as fitting to our coastal location and complementary to general environmental protection and enhancement.

The buildings which have arisen have mainly been constrained by the finance available from what has been but a small income.

To provide an entity which will enable the work which has commenced here to be carried on and broadened, the Wilderland Trust Inc. has been established and all title to land and property held by us has been transferred by gift, and without encumbrance, to it.

Dan Hansen
May 1994