Seaside, New Zealand?

After touring Seaside, Florida, a New Zealand developer is taking inspiration back home and developing two master-planned communities with garden parks and communal areas. Plans are underway to bring New Urbanism to New Zealand.

1 minute read

July 13, 2006, 6:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


Developer Patrick Fontein liked what he saw in Seaside. He liked it so much, he's going to build a couple in his home country of New Zealand. The New Urbanist town and other master-planned communities in the United States have given Fontein a wide array of suggestions for the two master-planned communities he is developing. Overall, his trip to Seaside left him most impressed with the "commitment to creating community."

"Hundreds of houses will be built on one site at Orewa (north of Auckland) and another at Taupo. Fontein is developing the two huge plots simultaneously in a scheme which will be one of the country's largest housing programmes."

"Before plans were completed, he hunted through the US to find the best master-planned housing estates and examine the feasibility of bringing the best aspects of those estates here."

"Of the sites he visited in Los Angeles, Florida, Colorado and Oregon, the resort community of Seaside on the Florida panhandle interested him the most."

Wednesday, July 5, 2006 in The New Zealand Herald

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A painted bus lane in NYC.

NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades

The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.

5 hours ago - NYC Streetsblog

A woman looks at a utility bill.

'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide

Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.

6 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

A person scuba diving in a coral reef off Guam.

Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies

International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.

7 hours ago - Grist