Our Story
Watch our story.
How Ruru began
Ruru Tiny Homes was born in 2020, in the middle of a global pandemic, from a simple idea — that New Zealanders deserved better, more affordable, more ethical housing. What started as a small workshop in Motueka grew into a team of 70 builders, with up to 16 homes under construction at once, and a reputation built entirely on word of mouth.
We built hundreds of homes across New Zealand over seven years. We learned what works, what lasts, and what people actually need from a tiny home. We made mistakes and fixed them. We refined our designs, our materials, our processes, and our values until we had something we were genuinely proud of.
In 2026 we expanded the Ruru family across the Tasman, launching Ruru Tiny Homes Australia as our second branch — while continuing to build here in Aotearoa with the same integrity and care we always have.
Fran & Daniel Huelsmeyer
Fran brings a background in communications, marketing, and public relations, alongside seven years co-founding and leading Ruru Tiny Homes in New Zealand. She is the voice, the vision, and the values of Ruru — the person you'll speak to when you enquire, and the person who will see your build through from first conversation to final handover.
Daniel brings deep expertise in planning frameworks, consent pathways, and council processes. As a former barrister with a Master of Laws (LLM) with Distinction from the University of Auckland, he ensures every Ruru client understands exactly what's possible on their land and how to navigate it with confidence.
Together they have four sons, a dog, and seven years of lived experience building — and living in — tiny homes.
Why Ruru
New Zealand is facing a housing crisis. Prices are high, builds are slow, and too many people are locked out of homeownership entirely. We've watched the tiny home movement grow here and seen what's missing — there are cheap options and there are slow options, but very few builders combining premium craftsmanship, ethical practice, and genuine care for the people they build for.
That's what Ruru was built to be. And after seven years, hundreds of completed homes, and a reputation built entirely on word of mouth, we're still here — still building in Tasman, still using only NZ-made materials, still paying fair wages, and still treating every client like they matter.
We don't cut corners, hide costs, or rush builds. We bring seven years of hard-won experience and a genuine passion for what tiny living can do for people's lives.
Aotearoa, we're here. And we can't wait to build your home.
