FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Tiny House on Wheels?
A Tiny House on Wheels (THoW) is a purpose-built small dwelling constructed on a road-legal trailer chassis that contains sleeping, cooking, and bathroom facilities and can be relocated when required. It may be fixed to the trailer, or a load on the trailer, and needs to meet NZTA vehicle requirements such as size and weight.
Why locate in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor?
RTHV has been specifically designed for red zone land that may not be suitable for conventional permanent housing because of flood, groundwater, liquefaction, and climate change risks. The village is uniquely suited to this landscape because the homes are movable, infrastructure is non-permanent, environmental impacts are low, and the model supports OARC regeneration goals. The project demonstrates how people can safely and responsibly occupy land while maintaining future flexibility for regeneration initiatives. RTHV has also been strongly supported by Richmond residents and organisations.
Will the village be permanent?
No. The proposal seeks a 10-year lease and uses relocatable homes and low-impact infrastructure, allowing future land-use flexibility. The Tiny Houses on Wheels need to remain movable within 24 hours at all times, and can be relocated if future land use decisions, environmental conditions, or regeneration priorities change. This flexibility is one of the key strengths of the project.
Who can live in the village?
Residents must own a compliant Tiny House on Wheels, align with the village's values, agree to village policies (e.g. pets and noise) and actively contribute to community life. The application process will be opened once Riverlution Tiny House Village (RTHV) has secured a site lease in the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor.
Can I rent a house from the village?
No. The village is not intended to operate as a conventional landlord or housing provider. Residents bring and own their own tiny homes.
How will the village benefit Richmond?
Expected benefits include strengthened community connections, improved land stewardship and environmental restoration, test bedding and education opportunities related to sustainable infrastructure, increased neighbourhood activity, and enhanced passive surveillance of currently vacant land.
Why should Ōtautahi Christchurch support this project?
RTHV offers Ōtautahi an opportunity to showcase leadership in climate adaptation, community regeneration, affordable housing, urban biodiversity, and innovative land use. Rather than viewing housing, ecology, community wellbeing, and resilience as separate challenges, the village seeks to demonstrate how they can be addressed together in a practical, community-led initiative.
How will the village support mana whenua values?
The village seeks to work alongside mana whenua and support indigenous cultural outcomes through ongoing engagement and relationship building, recognition of the cultural significance of the Ōtākaro Avon River, Te Reo Māori signage and interpretation, support for mahinga kai restoration, indigenous biodiversity regeneration, and Māori artwork and cultural design elements where appropriate. This work reflects the village's commitment to kaitiakitanga and respect for the history of the area.
Is the village environmentally sustainable?
Yes, the project is designed around principles of kaitiakitanga and sustainable living, with initiatives such as solar energy, rainwater harvesting, biodiversity restoration, greywater treatment, composting systems, and local food production. The village is significantly more environmentally sustainable compared to a conventional house on fixed foundations. RTHV aims to actively enhance the ecological health of the site and surrounding area through collaboration with experts and other local initiatives for indigenous planting, biodiversity restoration, pest management, sustainable water management, ecological education, regeneration of mahinga kai values, and support for local wildlife habitat. The village is intended to leave the land healthier than it was found.
How will neighbours' concerns be addressed?
RTHV has undertaken extensive community engagement including hui and online feedback opportunities for neighbours to learn about and respond to the proposed tiny house village. RTHV has incorporated neighbours' feedback regarding access, traffic, parking, lighting, noise, safety, and governance into village planning. Ongoing engagement and transparent communication remain core commitments.
What makes this proposal trustworthy?
The village initiative has been developed over more than five years, with substantial governance frameworks, policies, stakeholder engagement, professional design input, community consultation, and partnerships already in place before seeking site occupation. The RTHV team are committed to integrity and transparency throughout village establishment and ongoing operations.
How will the village contribute to climate resilience?
The village will act as a demonstration of climate-adapted living. Tiny Houses on Wheels can be relocated if conditions change, residents are encouraged to develop food and energy resilience, and RTHV seeks to showcase renewable energy, water management systems, sustainable transport, and community preparedness for emergencies.
Will the village be connected to mains services?
Christchurch City Council requires that each of the planned 22 tiny house sites will have access to power, potable water, and grey and black water waste connections. However the village encourages residents to participate in innovative sustainability approaches such as greywater reuse systems, composting toilets, rain gardens, and renewable energy where appropriate and approved.
Is this an eco-village?
While the Riverlution Tiny House Village is not exclusively an eco-village, environmental stewardship is one of its core values. Residents commit to living in ways that minimise environmental impact and contribute positively to the health of the land, waterways, and surrounding ecosystems.
What is expected of residents?
Residents are expected to be active participants in village life. Everyone aged 16 and over will contribute to one or more working groups and help support the governance, maintenance, and ongoing development of the community. Residents are not simply renting a space; they are helping co-create and steward the village.
How will decisions be made?
The village will operate through a sociocratic governance model focused on transparency, participation and accountability. Decisions are primarily made through consent-based processes, which focus on resolving objections and finding workable solutions rather than requiring unanimous agreement. This approach encourages participation, transparency, and shared responsibility. Residents are active contributors rather than passive tenants, with decision-making a shared responsibility.
What happens if residents disagree?
The village has a formal conflict resolution process. Residents commit to addressing issues directly, respectfully, and constructively. If needed, mediation within the house is available, which can be extended to an externally-mediated structured process designed to help resolve disputes while maintaining healthy community relationships.
How are prospective residents selected?
A successful application will need to demonstrate that their Tiny House on Wheels meets road-legal and health and safety requirements. Applications are assessed beyond the tiny house — prospective residents are considered on their alignment with the village vision and values, their willingness to contribute to the community, how they may positively support the diversity and wellbeing of the village and local communities as a whole, and whether they meet village policy requirements regarding matters such as noise and pets.
What standards must a Tiny House on Wheels meet?
To be eligible for the village, a Tiny House must be built on a legal trailer, be roadworthy, remain movable from site within 24 hours (non-permanent), have sleeping, cooking, and bathroom facilities, meet electrical and gas certification requirements where applicable, have smoke alarms and appropriate safety equipment, contain at least two exits, and be in a safe and habitable condition. RTHV's Committee may inspect homes to ensure standards are maintained.
Can I build my Tiny House on Wheels on site?
Significant building work on site, such as building a Tiny House on Wheels, is banned. This is to reduce disturbance from noise and traffic for village residents and Richmond neighbours. Minor construction on site for alterations will need to be cleared by the appropriate RTHV working group.
Can I bring pets to live in the village?
Pets may be permitted, however they must be compatible with village life and the ecological objectives of the site. Owners are responsible for ensuring pets do not create nuisance, safety issues, or impacts on wildlife. Restrictions apply to protect biodiversity values within the river corridor, such as cats being contained to an outdoor "catio" rather than roaming free through the River Corridor.
How does the village support food resilience?
The village intends to encourage residents to take part in local food resilience initiatives at Richmond Community Garden and Climate Action Campus. It will also establish its own community food-growing areas and gardens that contribute to local food production. These spaces provide opportunities for learning, connection, and greater resilience during emergencies or supply disruptions.
What opportunities are there to learn from the village?
One of the village's goals is to function as a "living laboratory" where lessons about sustainable living, community governance, biodiversity restoration, waste management, climate resilience, and adaptable housing can be shared with schools, researchers, community groups, and future projects. All major framework documents are intended to be openly shared online so others can build on these learnings.
Could the village model be replicated elsewhere?
Yes. A key purpose of the initiative is to create replicable frameworks that can be adapted and used by other communities throughout Aotearoa and globally. RTHV aims to demonstrate a replicable Tiny House on Wheels cohousing model for affordable, sustainable, community-led housing.
How will the village benefit the wider community?
The village aims to provide benefits well beyond its residents, including revitalisation of under-utilised land, increased neighbourhood activity and passive surveillance, environmental restoration, community events and educational opportunities, sharing of sustainability knowledge, demonstration of alternative housing solutions, strengthening local social connections, and social, cultural, economic and environmental contributions to local suburbs. The village sees itself as part of the wider Richmond, Riverlution and Ōtautahi communities, not separate from them.
Is this initiative related to social housing opportunities?
Not directly. Riverlution Tiny House Village is not a social housing provider, emergency housing programme, or public housing development. The village is being established as a community-led housing model for people who own, or are intending to own, a Tiny House on Wheels and are committed to participating in a collaborative community that improves Richmond and Ōtautahi social, environmental and economic outcomes. The village recognises that while Tiny Houses on Wheels are more affordable than buying a traditional house, funding access to buy or build a tiny house is itself a significant barrier for many people. As the project develops, we hope to explore partnerships, knowledge-sharing opportunities, and future initiatives that may help make alternative housing models more accessible to a wider range of people. Ultimately, the village is best understood as an affordable home ownership and community regeneration initiative rather than a social housing development.
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