built with integrity, designed for life

what we do

Ruru Tiny Homes: Crafting Unique, Top-Quality Tiny Homes on Wheels

At Ruru Tiny Homes, we specialize in building one-of-a-kind, high-quality tiny homes on wheels. Our homes are ethically and sustainably crafted using only premium, New Zealand-made materials. With delivery available nationwide, we make tiny living accessible to people across the country.

Options for Every Enthusiast and Budget
Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or looking for a fully built home, Ruru has you covered. We offer "shell stage" builds that let you take charge of the interior fit-out, or you can purchase complete architectural plans to build your dream tiny home from scratch.

No Building Consent Required
Building a Ruru Tiny Home doesn’t require building consent, although resource consent may be necessary depending on the location. Don’t worry — our experienced team is here to guide you through council processes, answer your questions, and support you every step of the way, no matter where you are in New Zealand.

Nationwide Consultation & Property Reviews
Avoid costly surprises when placing a tiny home on your property. With extensive local government knowledge, owners Daniel and Fran Huelsmeyer offer property review consultation packages. These reviews ensure you understand council regulations before your tiny home arrives, saving you time, money, and stress. This service is available to everyone nationwide, not just Ruru clients.

Full-Service Resource Consent Consulting
If you require resource consent, we offer a complete consulting service — from preparation to filing applications with your local council. Our team makes the process smooth, stress-free, and efficient, so you can focus on the exciting parts of your tiny home journey.

A True Family-Run Business
Ruru Tiny Homes is a proud, Kiwi-owned, and family-operated business led by Fran and Daniel Huelsmeyer. With four children and a dog, the Huelsmeyers live in one of their very own creations, giving them an authentic, firsthand understanding of what makes a tiny home practical, beautiful, and truly livable. Integrity, craftsmanship, and customer service are at the heart of everything we do.

More Than Just Tiny Houses
At Ruru, we don’t just build tiny houses — we create homes. Our designs suit a range of lifestyles and purposes, from family homes to granny flats, offices, rental investments, Airbnb units, baches, and more.

Endless Customization Options
Single-storey, double-storey, flat roof, gabled roof — our design range is as diverse as your imagination. Sizes span from 8m to 14m in length and up to 4m in width. If our standard designs don’t quite meet your vision, we offer custom design consultations to bring your dream tiny home to life.

Build with Ruru — Live Big in a Tiny Space
Join the growing community of happy homeowners, rental investors, and tiny home enthusiasts living in Ruru creations. From personalized designs to expert council guidance, we ensure your journey is seamless from start to finish. Your dream home on a tiny footprint is just a conversation away.

who we are

Hi, I’m Fran Huelsmeyer, and together with my husband Daniel, we run Ruru Tiny Homes.

Our journey started in 2020, born out of a simple idea during the uncertainty of a global pandemic. What began as a small concept quickly grew into a thriving family business. Before we knew it, we had a team of up to 70 builders, plus skilled tradesmen and contractors, all working side-by-side in our yard in Motueka. At times, we had as many as 16 tiny homes being built at once, each in a different stage of construction. It was fast-paced, challenging, and rewarding — and it still is!

We’re driven by a clear mission: to provide New Zealanders with affordable, high-quality, and ethical housing solutions. From first-time homeowners and young families to retirees and those looking for a smart investment, we’ve seen how tiny homes can change lives. It’s been incredible to watch people from all walks of life find their own sense of freedom, security, and stability through tiny living.

At Ruru, we refuse to compromise on our values. Our homes are built using only New Zealand-made materials, crafted with precision, care, and a strong focus on sustainability. We minimize waste, increase efficiency, and operate with complete transparency. There are no hidden costs, no nasty surprises — just honest, fixed pricing.

But our commitment doesn’t stop with our customers. We believe that supporting our staff and suppliers is equally important. We prioritize fair pay (above the living wage), ethical employment, and strong, respectful supplier relationships. This isn't just good business — it’s the right thing to do.

These values are deeply personal to us. In fact, we now live in one of our own tiny homes — a 12x3m double-storey beauty — with our four young sons and our dog. Downsizing wasn’t easy, but it was absolutely worth it. Our home is cozy, organized, and filled with everything we need. It’s living proof that tiny doesn’t mean less — it means better.

We stand behind every Ruru Tiny Home with pride and integrity. Our homes are more than just buildings; they’re safe havens, new beginnings, and opportunities for a more intentional way of living. Every decision we make — from the materials we use to the way we treat our team and customers — is rooted in fairness, honesty, and respect.

If you're thinking about tiny living, we’d love to help you on that journey. Whether you’re looking for a cozy family home, a guest retreat, a rental investment, or a fresh start, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

We’re proud of the reputation we’ve built, and we’re committed to protecting it. When you choose Ruru, you’re choosing a team that cares as much about your home as you do.

We look forward to working with you!
Fran & Daniel

what we offer

double storey

Toroa XS - Toroa - Toroa XL - Moa

single storey

Kea - Little Ruru - Kiwi - Korero - Whio

custom design

Have it your way

shell stage or Plans

Build it yourself, or finish the details.

full consent consultation

At ruru tiny homes, our team has handled countless enquiries, provided tailored solutions, and navigated various situations for clients all over New Zealand. We understand the unique challenges faced by the entire tiny home community and the specific questions that arise.

Recognising the need for precise and comprehensive answers, this service is available to all Tiny Home Enthusiasts rather than just our own clients, and we can offer three distinct consultation packages.

These packages are available to everyone in New Zealand, including clients of all builders and DIY tiny home project enthusiasts, excluding commercial purposes.

Learn more