What You Need To Know About Living in Rural New Zealand

If you're thinking of building a new home in a rural area, you're not alone – more than a few Kiwis are seduced by the thoughts of fresh country air, peace and quiet, and views of the rural landscape, but there are a couple of things you should know before you leap.

Roads and driveways 

Having more space to grow your fruit and vegetables is one thing, but rurally living really does add spice to your life, particularly in the form of distance. You will need to love your car because there's no nipping down to the dairy or the medical centre – you will likely be doing a lot of driving to get anywhere.

One thing to be cognizant of is how distances and infrastructure will impact your quality of life. To begin with, you may need to install or upgrade your access roads or driveway, which can be pricey. 

There are also the higher costs of transporting building materials and supplies to your location and possible access challenges for trucks or heavy machinery. Sending and receiving goods costs more in the country, which may add to your building or infrastructure costs.

Infrastructure

While most rural areas in New Zealand now have reasonable access to broadband, you may need to get used to slower speeds depending on how remote you are and whether or not ultra-fast broadband has arrived in your area. Even then, running the connection cables from the road to your new home will be a project on its own.

A massive plus from living on the land is that you become more self-sufficient by necessity, resulting in cost savings. Rural properties are ideal for solar power. You may also need to collect your rainwater (there may or may not be a council water supply, but the likelihood is low).

While septic tanks have long been the go-to for waste disposal, new technologies like aerated, advanced wastewater treatment systems (AWTS) – that treat sewage to a higher level than septic tanks – could be a healthier and more environmentally friendly option for you.

Potable Water

All rural site-building consents will require you to have potable drinking water. There is also a requirement to install a 30,000-litre storage tank within 90 metres of your home for firefighting purposes.

Living rurally offers many benefits for your health and lifestyle, but you will also need to manage the unique demands of living rurally. 

Consents

The biggest challenge to building on a rural site is consent. Every project is different and may require different consent. For this reason, it is important to read through all the necessary information such as the covenant, consent notices, and easements. 

You may need to engage specialists such as a town planner and or ecologist (among other specialist consultants that may be needed) in the process of applying for necessary consents, particularly in the event you may need an environmental report. Be warned, it may take time.

When designing your new home it is important to be aware that you will need to comply with various rules in order to obtain your building consent. Before you start, talk to Maddren Homes for a better understanding of the regulations and the potential of your land, and whether or not your project is financially sustainable.