News
Council consents for tiny homes: the 2026 update
Fresh guidance from three regional councils is bringing welcome clarity to how tiny homes are consented — and making the pathway smoother for buyers who plan ahead.
Editor
Hana Mitchell
Hana has covered housing and small-space design in Aotearoa for over a decade. She founded Tiny Home Weekly to bring proper journalism to a sector Kiwis are increasingly excited about.
News
The 60m² granny-flat law, actually explained
Consent-free secondary dwellings are a real win for tiny homes. Here's how to make the most of the new rules on your section.
News
Imported flat-pack cabins: what you actually get for $32,000
The flat-pack imports are landing in New Zealand at record volume. We opened up three of them with an insulation surveyor to see what buyers are getting.
News
The prefab sector settles into its strongest year yet
After a period of rapid growth, the prefab market is consolidating around builders with real track records — good news for anyone shopping now.
News
How tiny homes are stepping up to New Zealand's housing challenge
Political appetite is finally aligning with a mature supply chain. Tiny and prefab homes are ready to play a much bigger role in the Kiwi housing mix.
News
The rule change Kiwis waited years for: 70m² homes, no consent required
From 15 January, New Zealanders can build a self-contained home up to 70 square metres without a building consent. For the tiny-home movement, it is the moment the rules finally caught up with reality.
News
Keeping Mum and Dad close: how the new rules are reshaping the Kiwi backyard
With residential aged care running into tens of thousands of dollars a year, more families are looking at a compact home in the backyard. The 2026 law change just made that far easier.
News
A real foot on the ladder: are tiny homes first-home buyers' best shot in 2026?
With the median well out of reach for many, a compact home offers a genuine way in — but only if you go in with your eyes open. Here's the honest case, and the catches.