A Different Kind of Housing. A Different Kind of Community.
Affordable. Adaptable. Community-Led.
Riverlution Tiny House Village is a community-led initiative proposing a village of 22 Tiny Houses on Wheels in Richmond, Christchurch, on a red zone site within the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor (OARC). The village will show how affordable home ownership, environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and strong neighbourhood connections can work together in one place.
Unlike conventional housing developments, the village uses relocatable tiny homes, low-impact infrastructure, and a governance model that empowers residents to contribute to the wellbeing of both the village and the wider community.
Read about the village → · How you can get involved →
Why This Matters
- Helping address housing affordability through secure sites for owner-occupied tiny homes
- Working with mana whenua and Christchurch City Council to provide security of Tiny House on Wheels parking sites
- Creating a living laboratory for sustainable infrastructure, climate adaptation, and community resilience
- Sharing learnings online and on-site to benefit replicable community frameworks locally, nationally and globally
- Supporting ecological restoration and kaitiakitanga within the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor
- Bringing life and improved security back to vacant land on the edge of Richmond’s urban infrastructure, while preserving future flexibility for long-term regeneration outcomes
- Strengthening community connections through shared stewardship, education, and local partnerships
Current Status
The initiative has been in development for more than five years while mana whenua and Christchurch City Council developed an Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor co-governance model. With the co-governance model established in 2026, Riverlution Tiny House Village is now progressing toward a formal lease application for an edge housing site in Richmond.
Extensive planning, stakeholder engagement, governance development, site investigation, and design work have already been completed. Stakeholders will be updated through this website and Christchurch City Council’s website if mana whenua and the Council support the tiny house village application and invite public feedback.
Progress to date
- ✅ Incorporated Society established
- ✅ Governance and operational frameworks completed
- ✅ Site investigations undertaken with Council approval
- ✅ Community consultation and stakeholder engagement completed
- ✅ Village concept and site design prepared with professional support
- ✅ Partnerships established with local organisations and experts
- ⏳ Preparing formal lease application process
Riverlution Tiny House Village is a community effort. By contributing your skills, resources, knowledge, or enthusiasm, you’re helping demonstrate a hopeful and practical model for affordable, sustainable living in Ōtautahi.
Want the fuller picture? Read about The Village and who’s behind it, find out how to get involved, or check our FAQ.