Model
Off-grid self-contained
20–30 m² with solar, batteries, composting WC, rainwater & greywater on board.
Built like a one-bed cabin but specified for sites without grid power or council water. A 4–6 kW solar array on the roof feeds an 8–14 kWh LiFePO4 battery bank; 2,000L rainwater on a stand, a 200L greywater dispersal field, and a Nature's Head or compatible composting WC. Depending on the build, you may not need full council consent — if it's relocatable and certified self-contained, the rules differ.
What's included as standard
- All inclusions of the one-bed cabin model
- 4–6 kW PV array, 8–14 kWh LiFePO4 battery, hybrid inverter
- Composting WC (Nature's Head or Air Head)
- 2,000L rainwater tank with first-flush diverter & UV filter
- Greywater dispersal field design (separate consent)
- Wood-burner option with Schedule 1-compliant flue
What you'll pay for separately
- Site works for tank pad and dispersal field
- Greywater consent (regional council, separate)
- Backup generator (typically owner-supplied)
Consent posture
Mixed: if relocatable and never permanently fixed, may avoid building consent in some councils. If permanently sited on rural land, full consent applies. Always confirm with your council BEFORE the build.
Best for
Off-grid lifestyle blocks, family land without services, mobile-first living within a fixed site.
Builders
5 builders build the off-grid self-contained
Waikato · Te Awamutu
Te Awamutu Tiny Builders
Family-run multi-model shop. Quietly the most-recommended in Waikato.
From $34k
Wellington · Carterton
Wairarapa Tiny Builders
Wind-rated, cold-climate spec — built for hill-country sites.
From $124k
Canterbury · Akaroa
Akaroa Cabins
Off-grid specialists. Half their builds never see the grid.
From $162k
Otago · Cromwell
Alpine Tiny Co
Queenstown-Lakes spec. Built for snow load and the coldest winters.
From $175k
Manawatū-Whanganui · Whanganui
Whanganui River Tiny
Off-grid focus, river-country specialist with rainwater & dispersal expertise.
From $138k
Case studies