We became custodians of Nga Kereru in Maraetotara in April 2016. A lifestyle block with a formed building platform and driveway, and cattle from Mike and Kirstie’s farm grazing on it..

We found the property listing online @ Trademe while living overseas and we bought the property based solely on family and friends visits and photo’s, it just felt right from the start…

Andrew has been interested in strawbale building and passive solar design since his mid 20’s, and has long intended to experience owner building.

A major source of local inspiration is a strawbale home in the Tuki Tuki river valley, designed by the late Steve McGavock for Phil and Nicky Webb. It is the first architecturally designed strawbale house in NZ, a very early and beautiful example.

Another major source of inspiration are Andrews aunt and uncle, Shona and Anthony, who built a beautiful strawbale home at Fryers Forest near Castlemaine in Victoria, Australia, involving family and friends in the build.

The name Nga Kereru is aspirational and reflects the native forest regeneration planting programme started in 2017 with 2500 local native trees and shrubs and 50 orchard trees planted so far at Nga Kereru.

Nga Kereru is part of the cape to city native bird corridor in the Maraetotara river valley. The Kereru is New Zealand’s native wood pigeon.

We developed our own house concept design, incorporating strawbale and passive solar design elements.

Strawbale building professionals, architect Alex Greig and builder Pat Mawson then worked with us to translate our vision into a building code compliant, functional and beautiful house.

We have had the pleasure of working with many co-creators to realise our vision of Nga Kereru and wholeheartedly recommend them.

Check in on our journal of the build in our blog updates and gallery, or explore the design section for more background details, or if you are inspired and have questions email us here.