Mahitahi Colab Launches Dual-Location Plan to Combat Commute Costs and Connect Regional Professionals
Example fuel savings from the online fuel savings calculator
As fuel prices continue to challenge household budgets across New Zealand, Mahitahi Colab is offering Nelson Tasman professionals a practical solution: work closer to home without sacrificing connection or professional facilities.
The not-for-profit co-working organisation has launched a dual-location plan promoting flexible workspace access across both its Nelson CBD hub and the newly opened custom-built Māpua facility—allowing members to choose where they work to save time and fuel.
With Tasman topping the nation for the highest proportion of people working from home (20.8% according to the 2023 census), and many professionals still making the regular commute into Nelson, Mahitahi's dual-location model addresses both the isolation of home working and the rising cost of travel.
"We're seeing more businesses embrace flexible work, but people still need connection, collaboration and professional spaces to meet clients," says Ali Boswijk, Chief Executive of Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, a founding partner of Mahitahi Colab. "The dual-location plan is a smart solution for our region—it gives professionals the flexibility to work locally when it suits them and access Nelson's facilities when they need to. It's about making work sustainable, both professionally and financially."
Fuel Calculator Shows Plans Pay for Themselves
To help members understand the financial benefit, Mahitahi has launched a fuel calculator on its website showing potential savings from reducing weekly commutes. For someone travelling from Motueka to Nelson regularly, the fuel savings alone can more than cover the cost of a co-working plan - making the dual-location offer not just convenient, but financially smart.
The dual-location plan is available across all membership types—full-time collaborators, part-time users, and hot deskers can all access both Nelson and Māpua facilities without needing separate memberships.
Purpose-Built Space Brings Professional Hub to Tasman
The Māpua facility, which officially opened in February 2026, was custom-built to serve the growing community of remote workers, entrepreneurs and small business owners living in Tasman. Featuring flexible co-working areas, casual hot desks, bookable meeting rooms and a welcoming environment designed for connection and collaboration, the space has already attracted a diverse mix of users—from tradies needing a desk once a month for accounts, to CEOs running international businesses from the region.
Local Business Sees the Benefit
Zeb Lovell, Client Success Manager at Digitella, lives in Motueka and was previously making the daily commute to Mahitahi's Nelson space. Now, he primarily works from Māpua but uses the Nelson hub flexibly when client meetings require it.
"The dual-location plan has been a game-changer for me," says Lovell. "I'm saving time and money by working from Māpua most of the week, but I still have access to professional meeting rooms and the Nelson community when I need it. It's exactly the flexibility I needed."
Connection Without the Commute
Mahitahi is encouraging Nelson Tasman professionals to explore how dual-location flexibility could work for them. Whether you need a hot desk a few days a week, a regular workspace close to home, or the option to move between locations as your schedule demands, the dual-location plan makes it possible. Community managers are available at both locations to show people around, introduce them to current members, and help them find the setup that works best.
Members can also drop in any Wednesday to tour the spaces and meet the team. The fuel calculator is available online for anyone curious about potential savings.
Mahitahi operates in partnership with Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), Nelson Regional Development Agency (NRDA) and Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, connecting members to training, business support and regional networks.
"Work patterns have fundamentally changed," says Boswijk. "More people are working remotely or running independent businesses, but they still want connection. Mahitahi exists to bring people together—and now we're making it easier and more affordable to do exactly that. In addition, Chamber members can now access 10% off all Mahitahi Colab plans as well."
For more information, visit: mahitahicolab.nz/drop-the-commute
