The Kauri Tiny House in New Zealand

• Eric
  July 5, 2018, 6:26 pm

  You should note that this is the “name” of the Tiny House and there is absolutely NO Kauri used in its construction. Because to do so would be to run the risk of imprisonment due to being totally protected now. Especially with the Kauri dieback disease running rampant. And nobody knows where this disease came from… unfortunately.

  Having said that I find it to be totally soulless and… hmm, bleeech!

  But… that’s just me.

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• Karen Blackburn
  July 6, 2018, 4:34 am

  Speechless. After the Pohutukawa THoW I thought I had found my ideal but the Kauri has changed that. Yes it is bland but I more so than a new build house before the new owner moves in. The point of ownership is that you can adapt the inside to suit you so if you want it could be all red with purple stripes, tigerskin rugs and knick knacks on every surface. Equally you might just want a quiet serene grey finish all over with nothing on show. What the manufacturer shows is the plain build and changes from that are up to the owner/occupier. My major worry is cooking, no hotplate or oven, even a little one. As for a fridge I would lose the washing machine and put in an undercounted fridge instead. I have been using a small countertop machine based on the old style twin tub for years now, and we are a family of four. Big machines aren’t essential,and I can, and do, do a week’s worth of washing for four in the time my neighbour manages just 2 loads in her automatic. Great house, definitely going back to NZ just for their THoWs.

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• Marsha Cowan
  July 6, 2018, 9:21 am

  It is lovely and has lots of space, but all that weight on only two axles? Either the axles are very heavy duty, or the house is built very light (like with 2x2s, staples, and glue, like most traditional campers). I would like to see some construction pictures and have a little more information about the axles and trailer frame.

  Otherwise, I absolutely love the one piece stainless steel sink with the drain board, and that little trash can that pops out when you open the door. The barn door window is cute, too. I love that shower, and if those floors are real wood, I like that, too. I suppose one would build a type of deck over the tongue to come and go through the sliding glass doors.

  We are used to a more romantic looks and finishes in this country, so the exterior comes across a bit bland, and I really miss the windows. Wonder what it costs. . .given the overpricing of tiny homes these days (and this one so not so tiny), I would take a guess at say $98,000? Just guessing. . .

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  • James D.
    July 7, 2018, 2:50 am

    Not sure about the price but the construction, yes… Most other countries deal with more strict weight limits in order to remain road legal…

    So real wood is usually kept to a minimum, except for some DIY builds and conversions, and there tends to be greater use of synthetic materials.

    But they also tend to take advantage of weight saving construction options like steel framing and simply keep the size small and not putting too much stuff into them.

    You can check out Gina Stevens youtube page, she documented the building of her first Tiny House before she decided to become a commercial builder and started Built Tiny in NZ… So you can get some idea how they’re built there…

    Mitre 10 New Zealand, also documented a Tiny House build… Though, they did it as a promotional event with George Clark, better known for the TV show Amazing Spaces…

    Living Big in a Tiny House, generally doesn’t show how they’re built but he did document the building of his own Tiny House…

    Some countries like Australia go a bit further because their weather/climate allows them more flexibility and they can opt to do things like not put up any plywood/OSB sheathing…

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• Brenda R
  July 6, 2018, 5:07 pm

  OK, I admit it may be me, but what I thought might be an under-counter refrigerator turned out to be a “corner” cabinet with those kidney-shaped shelves. So, where’s the promised fridge? And what, pray tell, might those two drawers to the right of the washer be? I suppose the upper one might be an oven (according to the list of highlights, the kitchen includes “dishwasher, oven, microwave, hot plates, range hood, refrigerator, sink, cupboards, and washing machine” but I can’t imagine what might be below it, nor can I imagine cooking without some sort of stove that’s not hot plates. And I did NOT see a range hood (unless it’s that mesh-y underside of the cabinets to the left of the very tiny sink?), which would indicate to me a stove or cook top, not a place to put multiple hot plates while in use. This tells me (and your mileage may vary) that this is not a home for someone who cooks three meals a day, 363 days a year. (My sons cook for me on my birthday and Christmas!) On the other hand, the shower is a respectable size, which is a major plus for me personally. Sorry, but I just can’t figure out the kitchen (and, again personally, laundry in the kitchen is a big ICK factor – laundry fits better, in my opinion, in a bathroom rather than a place where food is prepared and eaten.)

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  • James D.
    July 7, 2018, 3:49 am

    Yes, that’s the oven and dish washer next to the combo washer/dryer…

    Microwave and fridge haven’t been put in yet, the photos are of the house before they delivered it to the client. Who will also be putting in a couch in the kitchen, as it will serve as both dining space and living room area…

    The open shelf above the combo washer/dryer is where the microwave is going, for example…

    Also yes on the range hook… It’s a minimal space type that extends out when in use.

    While hot plates usually means a 2 burner unit that you can easily just place on the counter below the range hood to cook and then put away to get more counter space the rest of the time…

    The exterior dimensions are 3m (9′ 10″ Ft) wide, 8m (26′ 3″) long, and 4.2m (13′ 9″) high… and it’s meant to sleep up to 6…

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