Trying to categorise Kiwi homes into distinct types/eras isn't necessarily straight forward. While we are all familiar with the typical Kiwi ‘Villa‘ or ‘Bungalow’....
General intro here, something about Kiwi houses through the ages and that this is relatively GENERALISED and maybe just include the more common types, ie I doubt many people will be renovating a GEORGIAN or QUEEN ANNE style house anymore? Bob/Dan, can you supply THINGS TO CONSIDER DETAILS - many will be the same for some of the eras, but I don't see that as a problem at all...
One of New Zealand’s earliest house styles, dating back to the early 19th century settlers arrival from Europe. Modest and practical with a straightforward layout, these small homes often used local timber and stone. With traditional pitched roofs and small verandas, they eventually added decorative elements such as fretwork and bay windows, reflecting the adaptation of British architectural influences. Many of these cottages have since disappeared but some were maintained and renovated while new build interpretations have also emerged, evidence of the ongoing popularity of the style.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
FOUNDATIONS – piles, surface water and borer. Check the foundations for cracks and signs of shifting.
CLADDING / WINDOWS / TIMBER / PAINT CONDITION. Ensure the condition of the timber in the cladding and windows are in good working order and have been well painted and sealed.
PLUMBING (important for insurance). Old pipes, may need replacing due to mineral build-up, leaks or corrosion.
ELECTRICS /WIRING: Old original wiring is a potential fire hazard, especially near or in the roof where it’s likely to be covered by insulation.
INTERIOR: Check for scrim in the walls – a fire risk (important for insurance)
ROOF: Has it been replaced? Check the full condition including the nails and seals.
Introduced around WW1 and the dominant style throughout the 1920s. There is some dispute regarding the actual origins of the bungalow design in New Zealand. Some claim that the our bungalow-style housing was directly inspired by bungalows from the west coast of the United States, whereas others believe that it was derived from England and Australia from as early as 1910. Either way, architects adopted the style and made it distinctly New Zealand. With solid bones and a classic style, they’re a popular choice and are unlikely to go out of fashion.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
FOUNDATIONS – piles, surface water and borer. Check the foundations for cracks and signs of shifting.
CLADDING / WINDOWS / TIMBER / PAINT CONDITION. Ensure the condition of the timber in the cladding and windows are in good working order and have been well painted and sealed.
PLUMBING (important for insurance). Old pipes, may need replacing due to mineral build-up, leaks or corrosion.
ELECTRICS /WIRING: Old original wiring is a potential fire hazard, especially near or in the roof where it’s likely to be covered by insulation.
INTERIOR: Check for scrim in the walls – a fire risk (important for insurance)
ROOF: Has it been replaced? Check the full condition including the nails and seals.
Late 19th and early 20th centuries and are a reflection of the country’s prosperity during the building boom of those times. Heavily influenced by Victorian and Edwardian house styles from Britain, these wooden homes are typically characterised by their one to one and a half storey structure, decorative verandas and symmetrical facades. Inside, you’ll find high ceilings, timber floors, bay windows and sometimes stained glass and pressed metal ceilings. The first Victorian villas were built completely with native timber.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
FOUNDATIONS – piles, surface water and borer. Check the foundations for cracks and signs of shifting.
CLADDING / WINDOWS / TIMBER / PAINT CONDITION. Ensure the condition of the timber in the cladding and windows are in good working order and have been well painted and sealed.
PLUMBING (important for insurance). Old pipes, may need replacing due to mineral build-up, leaks or corrosion.
ELECTRICS /WIRING: Old original wiring is a potential fire hazard, especially near or in the roof where it’s likely to be covered by insulation.
INTERIOR: Check for scrim in the walls – a fire risk (important for insurance)
ROOF: Has it been replaced? Check the full condition including the nails and seals.
Art deco or moderne houses first appeared towards the end of the depression in the early 1930s and lasted until after World War 2. The principle of being ‘true’ to the building – to reveal the building structure rather than disguise it, and to be functional and was therefore characterised by smooth surfaces, large areas of glass, steel framing, chrome and cubic forms, with limited decoration.. Art deco houses are recognised for their unique character and heritage. Because of their age, renovated art deco homes are common.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
FLAT ROOFS & PARAPETS: Check for any moisture or water tightness issues.
LACK OF EAVES: Means the windows heads aren’t protected.
STUCCO CLADDING: A cement-based plaster coating sometimes installed over an asbestos backing. Cracks are extremely common as the cladding doesn’t allow for movement.
Art deco or moderne houses first appeared towards the end of the depression in the early 1930s and lasted until after World War 2. The principle of being ‘true’ to the building – to reveal the building structure rather than disguise it, and to be functional and was therefore characterised by smooth surfaces, large areas of glass, steel framing, chrome and cubic forms, with limited decoration. Art deco houses are recognised for their unique character and heritage. Because of their age, renovated art deco homes are common.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
RUBBER WIRING.
ASBESTOS: A major health risk andimportant to contact professional advice.
GALVANISED PLUMBING: Can start rusting from the inside seen often with brown water coming through taps.
INTERIOR: Check for scrim in the walls – a fire risk (important for insurance).
Appeared from the 1940s through the 1970s, though their influence is still seen in new builds today. Inspired by international modernist principles, these homes feature open floor plans, large windows, geometric forms and minimalist aesthetics. The design incorporates both traditional and innovative materials, like wood, stone, concrete, glass, and steel, highlighting the era’s advancements in construction. Incorporates practical design, integration with nature.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. Bob/Dan...?
ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. Bob/Dan...?
ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. Bob/Dan...?
The 1970s saw a variety of different housing styles emerge, such as ‘colonial’, ‘ranch’, ‘Mediterranean’ and ‘contemporary’. Regulatory changes around insulation, a reduction in the availability of flat sites and new construction methods also influenced the types of houses that were built during this period. Structurally considered to have ‘good bones’. Insulation in ceilings, walls and floor became mandatory for new builds and additions in 1978. Glass fibre, polyester, polystyrene, wool and paper are all used for insulation in New Zealand. Home insulation in New Zealand can be heavily subsidised by the government.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
DUX QUEST: Plumbing. Brittle pipes causing leaks and bursts.
ALUMINIUM WINDOWS: Bob/Dan a brief explanation?
ASBESTOS /TEXTURED CEILINGS & CLADDINGS: A major health risk and important to contact professional advice.
Ronnie mentioned this today... 90's style sleek - no eaves?????
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. Bob/Dan...?
ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. Bob/Dan...?
ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. Bob/Dan...?
Bob/Dan, were these an 80s introduction or earlier?????????. These multi-story homes are compact in design, often sharing walls with adjacent units in a semi-detached form, maximising living space in densely populated areas. Their architectural styles vary from traditional to contemporary to suit a range of personal preferences, while their modern amenities and energy-efficient systems make them appealing to those seeking comfortable and easy living. Found in all of our major cities, townhouses tend to be developed in areas with easy access to amenities and public transport. Rapid growth in multi-unit homes, which includes townhouses, shows the strong demand and return on investment for developers of these projects.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. Bob/Dan...?
ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. Bob/Dan...?
ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. Bob/Dan...?
Lifestyle blocks cater to those seeking a balance between rural tranquillity and urban convenience, growing in popularity here since the 1970s. Situated in semi-rural areas within commuting distance of cities, lifestyle blocks allow for a blend of country living with access to urban amenities. A modern farmhouse style is often seen but a wide range of other designs are also pursued. Owners typically embrace a degree of self-sufficiency, with gardens, orchards, and sometimes livestock, alongside natural features like streams or native bush.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. Bob/Dan...?
ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. Bob/Dan...?
ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA. Bob/Dan...?
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