In a nation grappling with one of the world’s least affordable housing markets, a growing number of Kiwis are finding refuge in homes measuring a mere 60 square meters or less. The tiny house movement, a downsizing trend already sweeping parts of the US, Europe, and Australia, has officially landed in New Zealand – and it’s redefining how many view the Kiwi dream of homeownership.
The Rise of the Tiny Home
While the average New Zealand house now sells for a staggering NZ$900,000, a fully equipped tiny home can cost just NZ$50,000 to $200,000. For Kiwis struggling to break into the housing market, that difference is life-changing. As Sharla May, director of Tiny House Hub, explains:
Tens of thousands of tiny homes have popped up across New Zealand in recent years. Some of our builders are churning out 60 per quarter. The demand is phenomenal.
– Sharla May, Tiny House Hub
But cheaper building costs are just one factor fueling the micro-home boom. Many buyers also cite a desire to live more sustainably by consuming fewer resources. Others are drawn to the flexibility of a home on wheels.
Not Just for Minimalists
Although tiny homes have developed an association with minimalist millennials, New Zealand’s market is surprisingly diverse. Sharla May notes that older buyers, especially those with land or divorce settlements, make up a significant portion of clients. Solo dwellers like 60-year-old Kate Rowntree have embraced tiny homes as an affordable way to live independently.
Even some families are making the leap to tiny living. Adrian Ashdown, a divorced father, constructed a 70,000 tiny home steps from his daughter’s house, giving her a chance to maintain close family ties. While building costs have since doubled, many still view tiny homes as their most realistic path to ownership.
Unique Obstacles
Of course, squeezing one’s life into 60 square meters involves certain trade-offs. Composting toilets and outdoor showers take some adjustment. Work, leisure, and creative pursuits often share the same modest space.
If I’m completely honest, it sometimes gives me anxiety when I get visitors.
– Regina Speer, tiny home dweller
Clever design becomes critical. From hidden storage to convertible furniture, tiny home residents learn to make every centimeter count. Connecting with nature and utilizing outdoor space also help. As dweller Liberty Van Voorthuysen notes, “It’s opened up a whole world of barbecue baking.”
A Macro Movement
As New Zealand’s housing crisis persists, the tiny home trend shows no signs of shrinking. Lower costs, smaller carbon footprints, and greater flexibility continue to draw buyers young and old. For many Kiwis, sacrificing square footage has become an essential survival strategy.
While tiny homes are unlikely to solve New Zealand’s affordability woes alone, they offer a lifeline for those determined to carve out a space of their own – however compact it may be. In the words of Liberty Van Voorthuysen:
Don’t believe the capitalist society that makes you think you need a massive house. You don’t.
– Liberty Van Voorthuysen, tiny home resident & advocate
In a nation where the average home dwarfs the average income by nearly eightfold, that message resonates far beyond the tiny home community. As more Kiwis redefine their standards for space and ownership, New Zealand’s tiny living movement looks poised for outsize growth.
