Wee Make Change

In early 2014, Mike woke up with the idea of building a tiny house, despite having no prior experience in the field. He dedicated himself to researching and studying tiny house designs and construction methods from the US and adapting them to suit the materials and techniques available in New Zealand. At the time, the tiny house community in NZ was only a concept, but Mike was determined to make it a reality. His wife Loren was initially hesitant about living in a small house but eventually came around after reading Mike’s blog posts and learning about the subject.

After a year of research, they started building on a newly acquired piece of land. From the beginning, they wanted to experiment with different construction methods and materials, and Wee Make Change was set up as a blog and resource to help others with their own builds. Juggling construction, lifestyle block developments, and weddings, the couple finally moved into their tiny house on wheels after a few years.

Over time, Mike’s passion for tiny houses has turned into a family business. Drawing on his global experience as a mechanical engineer and product designer, he now develops innovative and high-quality tiny house products for customers all over the world. Mike and Loren are always happy to help others and welcome visitors to their tiny house in Napier by appointment.

Why design and build a tiny house?

What inspired me to undertake the design and construction of a tiny house? As someone with a passion for building and design, I had contemplated studying architecture in university but ultimately chose to pursue product development. After six years of traveling abroad, I became fascinated with alternative lifestyles. Witnessing people living contentedly in the simplest of conditions triggered a realization within me. I began to wonder if we could simplify our lives, freeing up our time and finances to focus on the things we love. As of now, we are simply embarking on this journey to see where it leads us and what the final product will be. To break down this project, I have divided it into two aspects: the design and construction process, and the day-to-day living in the tiny house.