From Overseas Adventures to Off-Grid Living in New Zealand
Karen’s story began overseas. After six years of travelling, she returned home to New Zealand ready to settle down. She found herself renting a room in Auckland and working full-time, but the dream of owning a home in the city quickly felt impossible.
Wanting her own space, Karen made a bold choice. She bought a caravan, left Auckland behind, and began travelling across New Zealand. That journey eventually led her to the Ruapehu District, where she bought a one-hectare block of land and began creating an off-grid lifestyle surrounded by nature.
We first visited Karen in 2022. Now, in 2025, we’ve returned to see how far she’s come along. Since then, she’s designed and built her own solar-powered home, and it’s everything she dreamed of.
Life on the Road
Karen’s caravan years were full of freedom. She travelled the country, working remotely as a graphic designer and YouTuber, and found joy in the simplicity of small-space living.
“I wanted my own home, but I just couldn’t afford one in Auckland,” she says. “Once I moved into the caravan, I realised I actually loved this lifestyle.”
After four years on the road, she was ready for a permanent base. She bought land in Ruapehu for $90,000, land that has since more than doubled in value, and began designing her home from scratch.
Designing and Building an Off-Grid Home
Karen sketched her own plans before working with a draughtsman to prepare them for council approval. The result is a warm, practical, two-bedroom home that suits her lifestyle perfectly.
“This area has a lot of non-consented buildings, but I wanted mine approved through council so it would hold its value,” she explains.
The home has large north-facing windows that capture sunlight, a spacious open-plan kitchen and lounge, and strong insulation that keeps it cosy even through Ruapehu’s cold winters.
“Some mornings I wake up and there’s frost outside, but inside it’s warm and comfortable. I love it.”
Powering Her Home with Solar Energy
When Karen looked into connecting her property to the national grid, she was quoted $50,000 just for connection. Instead, she decided to go solar with GridFree.
Her off-grid solar system cost $24,000 — less than half the grid connection quote — and gave her the freedom of no monthly power bills.
“It just made sense,” she says. “No bills and total independence.”
Upgrading to the Tui Solar Nest Kit
Karen first installed GridFree’s Bach Kit, but later upgraded to the Tui Solar Nest with lithium batteries for greater capacity.
“It’s life changing. Even on cloudy days the batteries sit around 80 percent. I barely need to think about power anymore.”
This is now Karen’s fourth GridFree system, proof of how much she trusts the brand’s products and support.
Installing the Solar System Herself
To make maintenance easier, Karen chose a ground-mounted solar setup using GridFree solar panel mounts.
“I didn’t want to be climbing on the roof to clean the panels. My neighbour helped with the base, and we installed the panels ourselves. Then the electrician came to do the final connections.”
The Cost of Off-Grid Living in New Zealand
Karen’s entire home build cost around $300,000, their home was owner built so this fee doesn't include building labour. Her ongoing expenses are minimal:
- Rates and insurance: around $400 a month
- Gas bottle: about $80 a month
- Power bills: none
“Living off-grid is actually really affordable,” she says.
Everyday Life Surrounded by Nature
For Karen, off-grid living is about more than saving money. It’s about lifestyle. Her one-hectare property has fruit trees, chickens, and space for her young son to explore and play.
I love watching the trees I planted grow, hearing the birds, and seeing my son discover nature.
Karen’s Advice for Future Off-Grid Homeowners
- Go bigger than you think you’ll need: extra solar panels, batteries, and water storage make life easier.
- Design for comfort: insulation and sunlight make a huge difference in colder areas.
- Keep your panels accessible: ground-mounted systems are simple to clean and maintain.
- Get your build consented: it protects your investment long-term.
- Choose quality solar gear: a reliable system like GridFree’s Tui Solar Nest gives peace of mind.
A New Kind of Luxury
Five years after buying her land, Karen says off-grid living feels like a luxury.
“It’s easy”
Start Your Off-Grid Journey with GridFree
Thinking about building your own off-grid home? GridFree has helped hundreds of Kiwis power their homes sustainably and affordably.
☀️ Explore solar kits: gridfree.store/collections/solar-kits
🏡 Learn about the Tui Solar Nest: gridfree.store/products/tui-solar-nest
📖 Read more customer stories: gridfree.store/blogs/stories