Nestled deep within the family-owned landscapes of New Zealand,
Ruby has turned her generational farm into a sanctuary that combines heritage,
innovation, and a commitment to simple, sustainable living. In this unforgettable
visit, Bryce Langston of Living Big in a Tiny House takes viewers
through Ruby's journey of building a tiny home on the ancestral land that has
shaped her identity, values, and vision for the future.
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| Photo by Bryce Langston |
A Deep Connection to the Land
As Bryce arrives at the lush property, he is taken aback by the
natural beauty and serenity of Ruby’s home, which she describes as
"paradise." Accessing the property is no small feat, with rivers to
ford and rugged terrain to navigate, yet each trip back feels like a holiday to
her. "Every time I come home from work, I feel like I’m on holiday—it’s
the best feeling ever," Ruby says with a smile.
Ruby’s connection to the land goes beyond mere fondness. She is a
descendant of Bethel settlers, with roots dating back to the 1800s when her
great-great-grandfather, Par Bethel, arrived as one of the earliest European
settlers in the area. Her grandparents later expanded the land to 700 acres,
including a lake and sand dunes, before financial constraints led to selling
part of it. Today, the remaining 350 acres still hold waterfalls, swampland,
and trails for off-road adventures—a true playground for outdoor enthusiasts.
"I’ve been here my whole life, 28 years, and I’m probably
not going to leave," Ruby shares. Her pride is as palpable as her
sense of belonging, embodied by a tattoo on her foot, a constant reminder of
her Bethel heritage. It’s her way of grounding herself in her history, a tether
that keeps her connected to the past and propels her forward.
Crafting a Unique Tiny Home
Ruby’s tiny home project began four years ago with a spark of
inspiration from her father, who works in the film industry. “My dad was
looking for a trailer for a film, and he stumbled upon a company that made
trailers with small offices on top. That was it. I thought, ‘We could do
something like this,’ and designed it all myself,” Ruby explains. Her
father towed the trailer across rivers and up the rugged property, setting it
in place with a bulldozer—a memorable, shared effort in establishing her home.
Starting with a simple shell, Ruby embarked on a DIY journey to
build out the interior and exterior using mostly second-hand materials sourced
from local sites and friends. Every detail reflects her commitment to
affordability and sustainability, with materials like reclaimed timber and
items found on sites like Trade Me contributing to the rustic, grounded
aesthetic. The result is a cozy yet functional 10-meter by 3.5-meter space that
feels anything but cramped.
A Dream Kitchen in a Tiny Space
For a former baker and culinary school graduate like Ruby, a spacious kitchen was a must. Ruby’s kitchen is a testament to her skill and dedication. The countertop is a labor of love made from old hutukawa wood, sourced from her family’s shed. She spent hours sanding and finishing it with resin, crafting a stunning surface to complement the copper backsplash—an inventive repurposing of an old hot water cylinder.
"I like to cook from scratch, so I wanted a kitchen that
could handle that," Ruby explains. With storage space, ample counters,
and a nearby vegetable garden, she has all she needs to prepare meals from
fresh, homegrown ingredients. Her courgette-based pasta is a particular
favorite, a dish that captures her commitment to self-sufficiency.
Bringing Water to the Homestead
Water on the property is a unique setup. Ruby and her friends laid
700 meters of piping from a nearby waterfall to her tiny home. “It was a real
mission,” she laughs, recalling the effort of dragging heavy, 100-meter rolls
of pipe through the bush and swamp. The pipe system is cleverly designed to tap
into the waterfall’s natural height advantage, so no additional power is needed
to pump the water.
Ruby’s self-sustaining water source is a significant achievement
and a point of pride. She shares, “When we finally got the water flowing, it
was the best day ever.”
Solar and Sustainable Power Choices
Powering the tiny home has been another thoughtful consideration.
While connected to her father’s power grid, Ruby maintains flexibility with a
gas water heating system. "If I ever decided to move, I’d be able to
plug in elsewhere," she remarks. This setup allows her to keep the
tiny home independent and mobile, if necessary.
A Living Room with Character and History
The inside of Ruby’s home is filled with family heirlooms and
salvaged materials, each piece telling a story. One of the highlights is her
grandparents’ old dining table, made from timber sourced from the farm itself.
The table, which hosted countless family meals in its time, now occupies a
central place in Ruby’s home, a reminder of the generations that came before
her.
Every element in the house has been crafted with care. Her
ex-boyfriend, a builder, helped Ruby with various projects, including a cozy
fireplace set against a schist stone wall, completed over winter. "I
just borrowed a neighbor’s grinder to shape the stones," Ruby shares,
her DIY ingenuity shining through in every corner of the home.
An Idyllic Bedroom Retreat 
Ruby’s bedroom is equally enchanting, with a mosquito net elegantly
draped above the bed to keep out insects from the nearby swamp. The room is
both practical and charming, with ample storage space, a wardrobe, and a unique
set of shell handles brought over by a friend from California. The shells,
encased in resin, add a touch of coastal charm to the already scenic home.
The Beauty of an Outdoor Bathroom
Choosing an outdoor bathroom was both a practical and aesthetic
choice for Ruby. By separating the bathroom, she created extra living space in
the main home while adding a dash of luxury to her bathing routine. Her
bathroom, initially envisioned as a simple tin shack, blossomed into a spa-like
retreat with tiles salvaged from a building site and a stone floor crafted with
leftover materials from a family friend.
“My ex and I hadn’t done tiling before, but we gave it a shot,
and it turned out great,” Ruby says with satisfaction. Her outdoor bathtub,
strategically positioned to overlook the swamp, is her personal oasis—a place
where she can unwind under the stars, something she appreciates deeply.
Pursuing the Dream of Debt-Free Living
One of Ruby’s major life goals was to be mortgage-free before 30, a
commitment that fueled her resourcefulness throughout the building process. In
total, Ruby estimates she spent around $60,000 on her tiny home, with most of
the funds going toward the trailer. Her emphasis on using second-hand materials
helped keep costs low, proving that a dream home doesn’t require a mountain of
debt.
“I didn’t want to be tied down by a mortgage—it’s like a life
sentence to the bank. I want freedom,” she says. Ruby’s financial
independence allows her the luxury of living a life she loves without the
pressure of constant work.
Embracing a Lifestyle Rooted in Nature and Family
Living in her tiny home has allowed Ruby to appreciate the beauty of simplicity. Her friends may find the outdoor amenities unusual, but Ruby relishes her connection to nature and the night sky. "I come out here, and I can see the stars, the moon—things you wouldn’t see in the city," she reflects.
With her gardens, rescued bees, and a colony of her own, Ruby has
crafted a life where she’s not just surviving but thriving. The tiny house and
the land it rests on embody her values of self-sufficiency, sustainability, and
respect for her heritage. As Bryce says his goodbyes, he can’t help but admire
Ruby’s accomplishment—a home that’s more than a shelter; it’s a testament to
resilience, resourcefulness, and an unbreakable bond with the land.
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