Building a granny flat? Why starting with quality matters more than ever
New legislative changes expected to come into force in early 2026 will create a building consent exemption for small standalone dwellings up to 70 square metres - what many of us call granny flats. This is opening up exciting possibilities for whānau to add secondary dwellings to their properties.
But in the rush to take advantage of this opportunity, there's a crucial conversation we need to have: if someone you love is going to live in this space full-time, how do we ensure it's truly a healthy home?
Air quality: The invisible element of a healthy home
We often define a 'healthy home' by what we can easily sense — temperature and humidity. We feel the cold when insulation is inadequate, and we see condensation forming on windows or the telltale black spots of mould. But there's a third element that's equally critical yet often overlooked because it's invisible: air quality.
A journey to healthy living in Wellington’s native bush
James and Eva were seeking a way to live that aligned with their deepest values of creating an equitable and sustainable world while maintaining connection to both nature and community. They found their answer on a stunning 11-hectare property of native bush in Pāuatahanui, where they could balance urban access with the serenity of being surrounded by nature.