"Ko au te whenua, ko te whenua ko au." — I am the land, the land is me.
For Māori, land is not something to own, it is something to care for. Tom Dewes and his family in Ruatoria, on New Zealand’s East Coast, live by this principle. As kaitiaki, or caretakers of the land, they embrace off-grid living, self-sufficiency, and sustainability.
Returning Home to Family and Heritage
After years away, Tom and his wife Maudi brought their children home to reconnect with their whānau and culture. “I wanted our kids to know their nanny and papa,” Tom says. “Born and bred on the coast, I wanted them to get back to their roots.”
Their home is guided by Manaaki Tāngata, meaning care for people. Visitors are always welcome, with warm hospitality, food, and tea. “Māori people will take the shirts off their backs for you,” Tom says. “You sit down, have a cup of tea, and you’ll feel the warmth. That’s home.”
Why Solar Power Was the Only Choice
The Dewes family relied on a generator for years, but fuel and maintenance costs became unsustainable. Connecting to the local power grid was estimated at over $20,000, making it unrealistic.
After researching options and speaking to friends, Tom found GridFree Solar in Auckland. “I made a phone call and we haven’t looked back,” he says.
Their solar system is simple, reliable, and fully contained in their garage. It powers the entire home, allows Tom to monitor energy usage, and provides peace of mind during storms or outages. “It tells me how the kids have been using power, and I can manage usage easily,” Tom explains.
Supporting a Home Business With Solar
Maudi runs her own cheese-making business from home. Her commercial kitchen is powered entirely by the solar system, allowing her to maintain precise temperatures for feta cheese and other products. Energy-efficient appliances and careful planning make it all possible.
“She loves what she’s doing, and she’s good at it,” Tom says proudly.
Living With Nature
The Dewes family follows the rhythms of nature, observing moon phases to guide planting, fishing, and harvesting. This connection to the environment helps them prepare for New Zealand’s changing climate and extreme weather events.
Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle caused widespread flooding and isolation along the East Coast. With the GridFree solar system, the Dewes household remained powered, able to cook, stay warm, and continue daily life while neighbors were in darkness.
Self-Sufficiency and Mindset
Living off-grid requires planning, energy-efficient appliances, and a shift in mindset. The Dewes family avoids running high-power devices at the same time and monitors energy usage carefully.
Tom’s advice for anyone considering off-grid living is simple: “Just give it a go. You never know until you try. For us, it’s working, and we’d never look back. Being off-grid is about security, independence, and connection to the land.”
Building a Legacy
Off-grid living is also about passing values to the next generation. Tom hopes his children and mokopuna (grandchildren) learn from their tīpuna (ancestors) and respect the land. “Look after the land, look after your whānau, and you’ll be okay,” he says.
With solar power, a sustainable home, and deep respect for the whenua, the Dewes family shows how New Zealanders can thrive off-grid while staying connected to culture, community, and family.
