Tucked away in a remote corner of the South Island, far from motorways, malls and mobile coverage, lies a tiny eco-village that’s quietly become one of the most sought-after places to live in New Zealand.
No ads, no influencers, no glossy website — and yet, there’s now a 5-year waiting list just to join the community.
Welcome to Te Wairua, the off-grid village that’s capturing the imagination of a generation looking for something different.
A life beyond the grid
Te Wairua was founded in 2012 by a small group of families who wanted to escape the rising cost of city life and build something more intentional.
Set on 80 hectares of regenerating bushland, the community runs entirely off renewable energy — solar, rainwater, and woodfire heating.
There are no supermarkets. No power lines. No WiFi towers.
But there are shared gardens, composting toilets, weekly community meals, and a quiet rhythm dictated by weather, seasons and cooperation.
“We came here thinking it would be a lifestyle change,” says Arlo, who moved to the village in 2019. “But it’s really a mindset shift. You start living with the land, not just on it.”
So why the sudden hype?
In late 2024, a short documentary about Te Wairua aired on a European sustainability channel. A few clips made their way to TikTok and Instagram — and within weeks, inquiries exploded.
Young couples, remote workers, retirees, climate migrants — people from all over the world began asking how they could move in.
But here’s the catch: the village isn’t expanding.
There are only 15 residential plots, and all are occupied. Vacancies only open if a resident leaves — which rarely happens.
“We don’t do applications,” says founding member Tui. “We do conversations. You don’t just buy in — you integrate.”
A different kind of economy
There’s no currency within the village. Everything runs on trade, shared effort and mutual trust.
Residents grow their own food, run workshops, care for each other’s children, and rotate maintenance tasks.
Income is generated through crafts, remote freelancing, eco-tourism retreats, and seasonal markets.
“You can’t fake it here,” says one long-term resident. “If you just want a weekend Instagram shot, you won’t last a month.”
The future of off-grid living?
With New Zealand’s housing crisis, rising power bills and climate concerns, Te Wairua is increasingly seen as a model for post-growth, low-impact living.
Other groups are now trying to replicate its success in places like Northland, Golden Bay and the Catlins — but many say it’s the culture of trust, not the tech, that makes it work.
As for joining Te Wairua?
You can add your name to the list — but be ready to wait.
And more importantly: be ready to dig, share, listen, and stay.