Yes, I have heard of it Val, it's one of the many hippy communities in NZ that sprang up about that time . The government of the time leased out plots of land to groups to "do their own thing " but in Mahana's case, I think it was an outright purchase.
The Nambassa festival that he makes reference to in regarding the forming of Mahana I was actually there , with my clothes on I might add.
It is sad Val how it ended, still, at the end of the day that's the cycle of groups/beliefs, they start with good intentions and dissipate over time.