HouseMe Newsletter - April 2025 📬 

From new Granny Flat rules to clearance pricing and rising rural demand – here's what's happening.

 It’s been a busy first quarter here at HouseMe, with plenty happening both within the company and in the broader housing industry. From policy changes that could reshape how Kiwis build, to some exciting updates across the regions – we thought it was a good time to touch base.

Just a straightforward update from us to you: what we’re seeing, what we’re working on, and where things are heading. If you’re interested in the housing market, considering your next move, or want to stay informed, this one’s worth a read.

📝 Here's what we cover below...

  ●  Granny Flat Legislation - New Announcement. 

  ●  No Deposit Finance Extension.

  ●  HouseMe Rental Regional Expansion.

  ●  Rural Confidence is back.

  ●  April Fools - We gotcha...

  ●  12.5 x 4.4 (52sqm) EOFY Stock Clearance.

  ●  Fieldays is upcoming.

  ●  Cambridge is now open and humming along.

  ●  Holiday Park Cabin Upgrades.

  ●  Wet Floors & Accessibility Options.

  ●  Supporting Sir John Kirwan's Mitey Foundation for Kids Mental Health.

  ●  Pokeno Razorbacks Softball Club.

  ●  Peter Wolfkamp Visits HouseMe HQ.

✔️ Let’s get into it...

 🏠 Big News: Granny Flats (Minor Dwellings) are Getting Easier

The Government has recently confirmed its finalisation of changes to allow minor dwellings up to 70m² to be built without building or resource consent – provided they meet the building code and are constructed by licensed professionals. Previously, it was 60 sqm, and they’ve just increased it to 70 sqm – Win! They’re pushing for the law to come into effect later this year.

It’s early days, but this could be a game-changer for Kiwis wanting to add extra space, whether that’s for family or as a rental. The key takeaway? Homes will still need to be built properly and in accordance with the code.

That’s where having a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) becomes essential. No CCC means no guarantee the home meets NZ standards. Every HouseMe unit comes with one – it’s part of doing things the right way.

💸 No Deposit Finance Extended – Until April 30th

Our No Deposit Finance offer has been getting a serious workout. Initially, a limited-time thing that was scheduled to conclude at the end of March, but we’ve extended it through to the end of April because of the demand.

If you're looking at a HouseMe home priced under $100k (our 3m wide range), you can now secure one without putting any money down upfront.

It’s designed to help people into homes sooner – something to call your own. If you’ve been saving for a deposit, you can put those funds towards or site work or a nice deck and outdoor furniture instead. It's worth a chat if you’ve been sitting on the fence.

🏘️ HouseMe Cabin Rental Demand is Still Growing – Fleet Expanded

We’ve seen continued growth in demand for HouseMe rental cabins, especially across regions where traditional housing options are either too slow, too expensive, or simply unavailable.

To keep up, we’ve expanded our rental fleet to cover both the North and South Islands (most areas – not quite everywhere yet). We’re adding new stock regularly, but the reality is they’re getting snapped up quickly.

If you're considering a rental unit, it's best to get in touch. Even if we don’t have exactly what you need right now, we can add you to our waitlist and arrange something for you soon.

🐑 Rural Confidence Up – And So Are Enquiries

Good news out on the land. It's great to see rural confidence at a 10-year high. The flow-on effect? More enquiries from farms, growers, and contractors seeking durable, fast, and compliant accommodation for their workers.

A big driver? The dairy payout forecast is looking strong, with Fonterra recently lifting their farmgate milk price midpoint, putting it on track for one of the highest payouts per kilo in years. That sort of outlook gives farmers the confidence to reinvest – not just in stock or gear, but in long-term solutions like staff accommodation.

We’re seeing more and more agri-businesses locking in HouseMe units for seasonal workers, managers, and extended family. It’s not hard to see why, our homes are built to handle rural conditions, delivered fast, and fully compliant with council rules. No trailers, no loopholes – just proper housing that works where you work.

😄 April Fools! We Had Some of You Going…

Our cheeky announcement about partnering with LEGO and IKEA to release “HouseMe Stackables” and “HouseMe Flatpack DIY Kitsets” got more attention than we expected. Some of you were halfway through measuring your backyard before you realised it was a wind-up.

Good fun – and a good reminder that while we don’t do modular homes made of plastic bricks, we do build some pretty sharp-looking ones made for real Kiwi life.

Also, it's okay to laugh once in a while.

🔨 Three-Bedroom Stock Clearance – Only 33 Left

We’ve launched a special wholesale run of our 12.5 x 4.4m Deluxe units, and it’s already proving to be incredibly popular.

So, why are we doing this?

Over the past few months, we’ve seen signs that build costs are heading in the wrong direction – materials, freight, labour, it’s all creeping up. So we made a strategic call: lock in bulk pricing now, get ahead of the curve, and pass on the savings while we still can.

We secured enough materials to build 50 homes (12.5 x 4.4m) in one streamlined production run – same layout, same spec, same colour selections. Keeping it simple means we save time, reduce waste, and keep the build line moving efficiently. That’s what allows us to offer these homes at $137,000 incl. GST (plus delivery) – a sharp price for a two or three-bedroom home with a Code Compliance Certificate.

We’re not opening these up to changes or custom design. This is a clean, no-fuss offer with pre-set colours and specs to keep costs low.

We started with 50. As of this week, 17 have already sold, leaving just 33 available at this price. Once they’re gone, we won’t be able to repeat this deal – the next batch will reflect the higher costs now creeping into the supply chain.

So, if you’ve been holding off for the right time – this might just be it.

👉 Full details here: houseme.co.nz/three-bedroom-stock-clearance

🚜 Fieldays Coming Up – And We’re Bringing Something New

We’ll be back at Fieldays this year – and we’re excited to unveil a brand new design that hasn’t been shown before.

Can’t give too much away yet, but this one’s a bit special – and shows just how far factory-built homes have come. Keep an eye out for our stand, come have a walk-through, and say g’day.

📍 Cambridge Show Home – Doors Now Open

We’re now open in Cambridge and things are off to a flying start. If you're in the Waikato, come check out the new site and chat with Olivia, who knows the transportable home game inside and out.

We’ve got four homes on display, and we’re open most days. Whether you’re in research mode or ready to go – it’s well worth a look.

🏕️ Holiday Parks Getting a HouseMe Upgrade

Our Commercial Sales Manager, Sam Howe, has been out pounding the pavement, visiting holiday parks and motels across the country – and the feedback has been clear: it’s time for an upgrade.

There’s real momentum building in the sector. After a few tough years, confidence is coming back, and many park owners are actively planning to replace tired old cabins with something modern, durable, and built to code.

If you own or manage a park and are considering a refresh – whether it’s five units or fifty – Sam’s your guy. He’s happy to work with you to design a solution that’s cost-effective, smart-looking, and compliant.

📩 Get in touch with Sam at sam.howe@houseme.co.nz or give us a bell.
 
 

♿ Wet Floors & Accessibility Options – Built for Real Life

Whether you’re building for now or thinking ahead, we’ve got a growing number of Kiwis choosing to future-proof their new HouseMe homes with accessibility in mind.

Our wet-floor bathrooms are a great starting point for anyone with mobility challenges. But if you need something more specific, we also offer fully wheelchair-friendly designs, with wider doorways, lowered bench space in the kitchen, turning space, and more.

We’ve been doing a lot of this recently, and the feedback from families, support organisations, and aging Kiwis has been awesome.

If you’re looking to create a home that works for everyone, let’s chat through what options are best for you or your whānau.

⛳ Supporting Sir John Kirwan & the Mitey Foundation

The team was stoked to be back at the Quadrent Charity Golf Day, supporting Sir John Kirwan’s Mitey Foundation, which helps build mental health resilience in young kids.

It’s our fourth year supporting the cause, and while our golf skills are still questionable, the fundraising results are anything but – last year we helped raise over $100,000 and we’re pushing for more this time around.

🥎 Pokeno Razorbacks Softball Club – A Community Win

A shoutout to the Pokeno Razorbacks Softball Club, who we proudly support. They’ve had an awesome year, growing their membership and becoming a key part of the Pōkeno community.

They’re the first sports club dedicated to the area, and they’re doing a brilliant job getting people involved. Big ups to everyone on and off the diamond.

Check out their Facebook Page to keep up to date.

🛠️ Peter Wolfkamp Visits HouseMe HQ

We had a top-notch visitor at HouseMe HQ recently – Peter Wolfkamp, also known as The Resident Builder, Site Foreman on The Block NZ, and host on Newstalk ZB.

Peter’s a straight-shooter with decades in the trade, and it was bloody good to have him drop by for a look behind the scenes. We had some solid yarns about where the industry’s heading, the importance of building to code, and how factory-built housing is reshaping the way Kiwis think about home ownership.

He was genuinely impressed by the quality of our builds and the systems we’ve got in place. Always great to get feedback from someone who really knows his stuff.

That’s a wrap for now.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for being part of the wider HouseMe community. Whether you’re a customer, supporter, or just someone keeping an eye on what’s next, we appreciate the connection.

If anything here sparked your interest, or you just want to talk options, give us a shout. We’re always up for a chat.

Talk soon,

Bryce Glover
General Manager – Sales & Marketing