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What the 2026 Granny Flat Regulations in NZ Mean for You
New granny flat regulations in NZ are taking effect in early 2026, introducing exemptions that could streamline the approval process for property owners. Let’s explore what’s changing, who benefits, and how you can start planning your granny flat project confidently. The Current Granny Flat Landscape Currently, adding a granny flat to a New Zealand property involves navigating building consent (ensuring structures meet safety standards) and resource consent (confirming land use complies with district plans). With every council interpreting rules differently, property owners face confusion, project delays, and inconsistent requirements. And that's what the 2026 granny flat exemption changes aim to address. What’s Changing: The 2026 Granny Flat Regulations Explained From early 2026, new granny flat rules will simplify the process for adding these secondary dwellings to residential properties nationwide. Here’s what you need to know: The Simple Rundown The new regulations introduce a building consent exemption for granny flats that meet specific criteria. Eligible properties meeting the right criteria will be able to bypass the building consent process—no detailed plans review, construction inspections, or code compliance certificate required. This could save months of waiting, reduce costs, and eliminate one of the key barriers for property owners. The government is also planning changes aimed at reducing the need for resource consent for granny flats; though these requirements will continue to depend on your district plan until the relevant planning reforms are finalised. Building consent regulates how buildings are constructed (structural safety, weathertightness, Building Code compliance), while resource consent regulates where your dwelling can be located and its environmental effects (setbacks, site coverage, district plan compliance). The 2026 changes propose to address both regulatory barriers through different mechanisms. Who Qualifies? With these changes to granny flat regulations in NZ, you may qualify for the exception if your project meets all of the following criteria: Location: The granny flat must be on a residential property with an existing dwelling. Size Limits: The dwelling must not exceed 70 square metres of net floor area. Height Restrictions: Maximum height of 4 metres above the floor. Setback Requirements: Must be at least 2 metres from all legal boundaries, with appropriate separation from other structures. Single Storey: The granny flat must be a single-level structure. Self-Contained: Must include kitchen, bathroom, and living facilities. Hazard-Free: No hazard designations on your site, e.g., flood, liquefaction. If your proposed granny flat project ticks all these boxes, you can proceed without building consent; however, you will still need to notify your council before building, and must ensure your project demonstrates compliance with the granny flat exemption criteria. When Do the Changes Take Effect? The regulations are set to kick in early 2026, though we're still waiting for the government to confirm an exact date. Councils will need to upgrade their district plans to reflect the changes. But if you're keen to get started, you can begin planning your project now based on the exemption criteria. Who Benefits from the Granny Flats Exemption? Families Bringing Parents Home These changes will make it much easier to create quality accommodation for ageing relatives. A 70-square-metre granny flat offers genuine living space, complete with a proper kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and living area—all without the extended consent timelines. Property Investors Investors can move faster on projects to start generating rental income sooner. Whether targeting long-term tenants or tapping into Airbnb opportunities, a compliant granny flat can be income-ready in a fraction of the time it previously would’ve taken, with significantly reduced upfront costs. Multi-Generational Living Arrangements Multi-generational living becomes more straightforward—young families on family land or adult children establishing themselves can access self-contained independence without the previous regulatory barriers. Rural Properties and Farming Operations Rural and farm properties throughout the country can establish worker accommodation more efficiently. The new granny flat regulations in NZ remove the red tape that made providing quality housing for farm staff more complex than it needs to be. What the Changes Mean for Your Property Faster Timelines: The consent process can take months, so removing this step for qualifying projects means significantly faster approvals—potentially reducing timeframes from 6-12 months to just a few weeks. Cost Savings: Building and resource consent applications involve council fees, consultant costs, and potential report expenses. The exemption removes these costs entirely. Limitations: Smaller sections may struggle with setback requirements—sloping sites might make single-storey construction challenging. Projects needing more than 70 square metres won’t qualify, and sites with hazards noted in the district plan may still require a full building consent. Even if your build is exempt from building consent, you'll still need to check your district plan, lot size, setbacks, and drainage infrastructure. Additionally, you'll need to pay any applicable development contributions. Preparing for 2026: Your Next Steps There’s no need to wait until the regulations officially take effect. You can start planning your granny flat build now. Here’s how to get ahead: Assess Your Property Walk your section and consider where your granny flat might fit. Consider access, existing structures, and how the dwelling could work within your boundaries. Early planning will help you understand whether the granny flat exemptions apply to your project. Talk to Your Council While the regulations don’t come into force until early 2026, council planning teams can provide insights into your property’s zoning and site-specific considerations that might affect your project. Consider Your Actual Needs While the 70-square-metre limit works perfectly for many properties, be honest about your family’s needs. If you need more space, you can still follow the existing pathway, but it’s better to plan for the right dwelling than to compromise for the sake of an exemption. If you don’t want to wait, want to be closer to your boundary, or have hazard designations on your land, then we can still follow the building consent route easily—we’ve been doing it for years and can help you navigate the process. Build Your Granny Flat with Living Little Let Living Little help you navigate the new granny flat regulations in NZ. We can assess your property, determine the appropriate pathway, and deliver a compliant granny flat in just 10-12 weeks! Get in touch with our team to discuss a freestanding or transportable granny flat in NZ and the relevant rules. imum peace of mind. Living Little Home Collection  
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Offsite Building Is a Smarter Way to Get Your Little Home or Granny Flat Faster
Delivered ready to move in. When it comes to building your little home, speed, simplicity, and minimal disruption matter. That’s why more New Zealanders are turning to offsite construction for granny flats and tiny homes—a smarter, faster way to build that puts you in your new space sooner, with less stress and fewer surprises. At Living Little, we specialise in transportable homes that are prefabricated offsite and delivered directly to your property. Here’s why that approach is changing the game. 🚀 Faster Timeframes, Traditional builds can stretch out for months, with weather delays, subcontractor scheduling, and site complications. Offsite building flips that script. Your home is constructed in a systemised environment, and with multiple builds on the go processess are more efficient Parallel processing means site prep and home construction happen simultaneously. Most builds are completed in a fraction of the time compared to conventional methods. Result: You could be living in your new home with 12 weeks not 12 months 💰 More Cost-Effective Than You Think Offsite construction isn’t just faster—it’s financially smarter. Fixed pricing means fewer budget blowouts and no surprise costs from delays or weather. Reduced labour hours and streamlined logistics lower overall build costs. Minimal site disruption means no need for long-term fencing, security, or temporary accommodation. No requirement for multiple material deliveries to your site. Plus, with faster installation, you can start generating rental income or enjoying your space sooner, improving your return on investment. 🚚 No Endless Deliveries, No Site Congestion One of the biggest headaches with traditional builds? The constant stream of trucks, pallets, and trades turning your property into a construction zone. With offsite building: All materials are delivered to our factory, not your land. Your little home arrives fully built, in one coordinated delivery. No need to manage multiple suppliers, deliveries, or storage on-site. This means no traffic jams, no material theft risk, no extra insurance and no disruption to your driveway or neighbours. 🛠️ Minimal Disruption on Your Site Worried about noise, mess, or tradespeople camping out on your land for weeks? Offsite building keeps your property peaceful. Foundation installation typically takes half a day. Service connections (water, power, wastewater) are usually completed in one day. Home delivery and placement takes just three hours. That’s it. No scaffolding, no endless piles of timber, no months of mud and machinery. 📦 Precision Delivery, Seamless Setup Our homes arrive fully built, inspected, and ready to go. We coordinate every detail—from transport logistics to crane placement—so you don’t have to. Homes are delivered by experienced crews who specialise in tight access and rural and urban sites alike. We work with council-approved engineers and installers to ensure compliance and safety. You get a turnkey solution with minimal oversight required. 🌿 Better for the Environment, Better for You Offsite construction reduces waste and avoids the wear-and-tear of traditional building sites. It’s a cleaner way to build. Plus, with less disruption to your land, your garden, trees, and outdoor spaces stay intact. 🧠 Why Living Little? Your little home, backed by big values. Our team can handle everything from council consents to site logistics, so you can focus on what matters: living well. Whether you're placing a minor dwelling or granny flat for family, creating a rental income stream, or downsizing with intention, our offsite-built homes offer: Speed Simplicity Compliance Cost-efficiency Zero site congestion Comfort 📞 Ready to Explore Your Options? Contact us today to learn more about our offsite-built little homes and how we can deliver yours with minimal disruption and maximum peace of mind. Living Little Home Collection
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Turnkey Solutions Installing your Little Home
🏡 Setting Up Your Living Little Granny Flat: Foundations, Power & Services Made Easy At Living Little, We offer optional turnkey solutions so you don’t have to manage contractors to get the little home to your site. We organise it all for you from foundations to connections to services, we’re all about turning the idea of a transportable home into a reality that’s effortless, elegant, and compliant. Whether you’re adding a minor dwelling or planning for future flexibility, here’s how we make it happen—from delivery to full connection. 🚛 Delivery That Works With Your Site Our builds are crafted on our site and delivered to yours ready for action. There are few places that a little home can not be installed.  Generally delivered on a flat bed truck and using a local hiab or crane to offload onto foundations.  A driveway over 4.5m wide makes for a straightforward delivery, narrower than that can be solved by lifting over obstacles with a larger crane. 🪛 Screw Pile Foundations: Fast, Removable, Consentable We prefer screw pile foundations because they’re: Installed in under half a day Permanent yet removable, giving you the option to relocate your flat in future and since no concrete is required they leave nothing behind. Fully compliant with NZ building code and easy to consent through council channels Stop Digging Screw Piles It’s solid support with the flexibility to evolve as your needs do.  If you choose to do the foundations yourself, we are totally supportive and little homes can be installed onto any type of pile foundation. ⚡ Power Connection Options Each Living Little home is fully pre-wired and ready to go. You can: 🔌 Plug in using a 32-amp connection to an existing on-site power supply 🔋 Connect to a solar plant, ideal for off-grid or hybrid setups 🔧 Hardwire into your site’s existing system with a registered electrician for a permanent solution We’ll help you choose the right fit based on your site and usage needs—every option is code-compliant and consent-ready. 🚿 Sewer & Stormwater Made Simple Connection depends on what’s already on-site: If your property has an existing home, your granny flat will usually connect into the same sewer and stormwater systems If no sewer main is available in the street, a septic tank may be required — we’ll assess and advise based on council maps and site conditions For rural properties or unique setups, alternatives like pressure pumps or soak pits may be proposed to keep your drainage fully compliant We can coordinate all services and approvals so you’re not left chasing paperwork or plumbing advice. ❓FAQs: Living Little Granny Flat Installation Q1: Do I need building consent for a transportable granny flat in NZ? ✅ Yes. Until any future rule changes come into effect, all minor dwellings—transportable or not—require building consent. Living Little handles all documentation so your project moves swiftly through council. Q2: Can I install the foundations myself? ✅ Absolutely. While we offer turnkey setup its is just optional, we are supportive of you handling the little home install independently. As long as it meets NZ Building Code standards, any compliant pile system will work. Q3: What if my site doesn’t have access to the sewer main? ✅ No problem. If there's no existing sewer connection, There are other options including a septic tank, composting loo and greywater system or other alternate drainage system may be suitable. We are happy to discuss options. Q4: What is the easiest way to power my granny flat? ✅ For simplicity, a 32-amp plug into an existing supply is ideal. For long-term setups, hardwiring into the existing electrical supply or connecting to a solar plant is fully supported—and we’ll help find the best fit for your site. Q5: Do I have to manage installation contractors myself? ✅ Not if you’d rather have it done for you. Living Little offers a turnkey solution, handling everything from foundations to final service connections. Your little home will arrive ready to move in, so you can skip the site juggling and focus on enjoying your space. Living Little Home Collection
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5 Tips for Adjusting to Live in a Tiny House
The tiny living lifestyle has become incredibly popular in recent years, with more and more people being attracted to the simpler way of life it offers, the flexibility, and the financial freedom. But most of us have grown up in larger spaces and have gotten used to accumulating a lot of stuff, so the shift to tiny house living can be quite difficult to make. Here at Little Living, we manufacture and supply transportable homes on the South Island, and we have become very well-versed in the ins and outs of tiny living. In this article, we’ll give you some tips for transferring to a more minimalist lifestyle in a tiny, transportable home. Before Anything: Declutter If you are living in a ‘normal’-sized home or apartment, chances are that you have accumulated an unnecessary amount of clothes, furniture, crockery, etc. Not all of this is going to fit in your tiny home. So it is a good idea to start with decluttering any items that you no longer need or use. Digital Storage Many of us still have loads of paper documents, CDs, DVDs and even VHS tapes. These will take up valuable storage, so it is a good idea to start looking into digital and cloud storage options. Decide What is Truly Important to You Perhaps you’re a painter who also plays the guitar on occasion, loves board games, sewing, knitting, skateboarding, etc. All of these hobbies require valuable storage space. It may be difficult, but you have to narrow down what is really important to you, probably by looking at which items you use the most. Shift Your Mindset Living in a tiny, transportable home definitely requires a shift in mindset. You should keep the reasons why you are doing this in the forefront of your mind as they will help you get through the many challenges that you are sure to encounter along the way. Watch Videos of Others Living in Tiny Homes One way in which you will gain extremely useful insight, and tons of tips, is by watching and following the journeys of established tiny house enthusiasts on various social platforms. They have been through what you are going through and more. Watching a few Youtube videos in preparation will definitely be beneficial! Are you interested in transportable homes on the South Island of New Zealand? We have both one and two-bedroom portable homes here at Little Living. Browse our site to find out more or get in touch with us should you have any questions.
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Granny Flats Made Easy! 2025/26
Thinking about building a granny flat? You might’ve heard about granny flat consent NZ and council approvals rules changing. Let’s make it simple ✅ Do You Need Consent? Yes. Right now, you do need a building consent for minor dwellings — even if your granny flat is under 70sqm. But don't stress. Living Little granny flats come with full documentation. We handle the paperwork and work with trusted, council-approved experts. Most granny flat consent NZ applications cost $5,000–$15,000, depending on your location. https://www.waimakariri.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/134121/QD-PIU-Information-001-Secondary-Dwellings-Granny-Flats-Fact-Sheet.PDF 🚀 What’s Changing in 2026: Building Consent for Minor Dwellings The New Zealand government plans to remove the building consent requirement for minor dwellings under 70sqm. Here’s what you should know: The granny flat consent NZ change is expected in 2026. You’ll still need to notify your local council and apply formally. Certified contractors must build or supervise. Fees and final approval steps are still under discussion. It might sound worth waiting — so weighing up rising costs and limited contractor slots could make early consent a smart move. We help you lock in pricing now with consent-ready solutions. Delaying could mean higher build costs and limited contractor availability. With compliance savings still uncertain, locking in a fixed price and securing consent now ensures peace of mind, smoother scheduling, and faster project turnaround. Beat the rush, skip the wait. https://www.building.govt.nz/getting-started/building-system-reforms/granny-flats 💰 Do You Need to Pay Development Contributions? Sometimes yes — depending on your council. But we help you figure that out. Development contribution costs can be estimated up front We can check if it applies to your location for a living little granny flat. We help you understand all your costs so you can budget better https://www.waimakariri.govt.nz/consents-and-licences/resource-consents-and-planning/development-contributions https://www.selwyn.govt.nz/services/fees-and-charges 🧰 Why Choose Living Little Granny flats? Living Little Granny flats are: Fully compliant and built to NZ standards. Delivered ready to live. Great for aging parents, teens, or rental income. Whether it’s a studio or two-bedroom, we take care of your minor dwelling building consents now — and we adapt as rules change. Explore pricing and designs Start planning today to lock in pricing, secure build slots, and stay ahead of council wait times with your minor dwelling building consents. Learn why families trust Living Little Granny flats ❓Top FAQs: Minor Dwelling Building Consents Q1: Do I still need building consent in 2025 for a granny flat under 70sqm? A: Yes, until the 2026 rule change is confirmed, granny flat consent NZ is still required. Living Little helps streamline the process with council-ready documentation. Q2: What counts as a minor dwelling in NZ? A: A minor dwelling NZ typically refers to a self-contained unit like a granny flat or sleepout, usually under 70sqm. Rules vary slightly by council. Living Little granny flats are fully compliant example. Q3: Are there any fees other than building consent? A: Some councils charge development contributions, especially if the dwelling adds infrastructure demand. We help assess this upfront so there are no surprises. Check with your local council and Include this when budgeting your minor dwelling building consent. Q4: Will I need minor dwelling building consent after the 2026 rule change? A: Likely not a full building consent, but approval through your local council may still be needed. Contractors must be certified, and fees are still being finalized. Q5: Can I build now and skip the 2026 rush? A: Absolutely. Many clients are securing granny flat consent nz early to lock in pricing, reserve contractors, and avoid delays when demand spikes.
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Small in Size, Big on Space
If you haven’t yet stepped inside a Little Home you’ll be pleasantly surprised.Being little not tiny means the spaces inside feel like spaces you might find in a more traditional home just in a smaller building that will fit almost anywhere. If you feel the kitchen is an important part of any home, there are no compromises here with a full kitchen including breakfast bar where your friends and family can gather, and full meals can be prepared. Bathroom facilities are also conveniently full size so no squeezing into the shower. These homes are ideal for comfortable farming accommodation, home for your parents and extended family or the grown up kids.Little not tiny homes can also provide a substantial rental return on existing land. Since they are portable they can be craned over existing houses so provide for an excellent minor dwelling or rental on your existing property in town. Even if placed on permanent foundations you know you can pick it up and move it again if circumstances ever change. They can be shipped around Canterbury or anywhere in the country, consented or with wheels depending on which suits your situation best. The world is changing and traditional housing amongst other living costs is becoming less affordable and many people no longer want to be tied into a cumbersome mortgage. The rising tide of warm dry easy-care comfortable homes is where many New Zealanders are looking for their future. A simple construction means a quick build from structural insulated panel coupled with timber and gib for flexible interior layouts. This also means that Living Little can include what is important to your build personally and can do so in a time frame you can count on. Our plug and play option means you can just move in and start living as it includes all appliances, blinds, and exterior skirt finish.Living Little customers are well looked after.
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Building Compliance for Living Little in a Tiny Home
One of the early thoughts most people have when thinking about all the benefit that can be gained from Living Little is: “Do I need a building consent for a Tiny Home?” It’s a great question and one we’ll answer for you here. We will go through the two options for building compliance in a Tiny Home. Before getting into the technicalities and compliance it’s important to appreciate that here in New Zealand, there is a deep understanding of the need for secure, long term, affordable and better housing options for all kiwis and visitors. Land is available for a huge amount of small dwelling opportunities and as a rule, our authorities are right behind you in moving into your own home however you decide to achieve this. Owning a Tiny Home has become the best option for lots of New Zealanders. Building compliance is critical and of course, those important processes benefit from an expert eye and strong, capable support along the way. That’s where we can really add value. There are two directions you can take. Your local Council could interpret the Tiny Home guidelines to confirm that your Little Home meets the criteria for a moveable vehicle and therefore not requiring consent. Alternatively you can choose or be directed to get a code of compliance certificate through the formal building consent process. Tiny home building compliance through meeting the MBIE Criteria for a Vehicle The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) released guidelines on Tiny Homes in recognition of a fast growing lifestyle choice for New Zealanders. These guidelines: “… clarify any ambiguity on which rules apply to which tiny houses, particularly for tiny houses on wheels…This guidance provides detail on these definitions along with considerations to help determine if a tiny house is abuilding or a vehicle, or both a building and a vehicle, and which relevant laws they need to comply with”. Basically, this provides your local council with a mechanism to make it simple and quick to be in a new home with full compliance through the guidelines. Most councils appreciate this however we have come across some councils that have so far, chosen to interpret these guidelines in a way that will divert you to a process of requiring building consent. A great first step if you’re thinking about Living Little in a structure that is a Tiny Home, is to ask your local authority how they interpret this Tiny House Guidance for the building Act 2004 to give it its’ formal title. Have that conversation or, if you’re a little nervous to, do have a look at the guidance and feel free to give us a call for some advice. When it comes to Engineering and Design we have a specific niche solution for our Little Homes that complies with the building code and also goes even further to also capture and comply with the new H1 Energy Efficiency clause around insulation and moisture requirements (May 2023). This requires: “… enclosed spaces where temperature or humidity are modified to provide adequate thermal resistance and to limituncontrollable airflow in certain buildings. It also sets out physical conditions likely to affect energy performance, andrequirements for hot water systems, artificial lighting and HVAC systems.” Keeping up to date with the building code amendments ensures that both the MBIE Guidelines and Building Consent options remain open to you. And important part of developing and delivering small affordable homes is that we continue to provide a valuable option that remains affordable throughout New Zealand. Compliance Through a Building Consent for your Tiny Home Where interpretation of the guidelines recommends a building consent and this is the choice that you have made personally, we can obtain that for you quickly and affordably. In addition to the time and cost advantages, a building consent with Living Little expertise and engineering will result in a permanent 50 year consent. Unlike many other tiny homes, our consent is the same as if you were building a regular house with bricks and mortar. The process requires building consent for the little home at our end and also at the destination end for the foundation and services. We can organise the destination end consent for you also very economically to make the experience and process as easy as possible . All you’ll need to do is get a local contractor to hook it up to drains and electricity. District Planning Whether you choose compliance through the guidelines or a building consent, all councils do align on their position of seeing little homes and tiny houses as dwellings. This means that you will need to comply with their local district planning rules whether you’re a vehicle or have a building consent. In contrast to building performance, these planning rules are generally about location of the home on a site i.e. distance from boundaries and what you can and cannot put on site etc. So you do need to be aware of complying with those too. In our experience most locations can have a minor dwelling site so it’s certainly worth checking to remove any doubt. About us Living Little is a small home fabricator manufacturing your spacious little transportable and tiny homes with innovative premium materials. By including a full size kitchen, bathroom and bedroom(s) in a well designed little home you won’t find yourself needing to squeeze in or climb up. Every space feels generous and comfortable.Give Sophie a call to find out more and discover how to Live Little.022 652 [email protected]
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Dreams do come true, others come by truck!
As the cost of living increases, and owning your own home feels out of reach for many of us, smaller homes provide an economical and smart option. While tiny homes are often just a little impractical for a variety of reasons, one Christchurch business has a clever solution. Living Little Movable Homes provides innovative homes that are small, but not tiny houses. Full size spaces you would expect to find in a traditional home, just in a smaller footprint. You don’t have to squeeze in, and there’s no need to climb up. Living Little homes are delivered complete and ready for you to move in, with all the modern comforts of a larger home. The homes come with double glazing, super insulation, window dressings and high spec, full-size kitchens and bathrooms complete with all appliances so you can begin to live little really simply and above all else, really quickly too. Not only are these perfect homes, you can also enjoy all those other benefits your homes gives you, in terms of cost savings or income through Airbnb, spare rooms to let to students, office and craft space, on-farm accommodation for workers or guest accommodation for agri-tourism. These affordable first homes could also be that wonderfully comfortable solution for aging parents to be close to family and or friends. And in a home that is maintainable and easy to be in. Homes can be either permanent or relocatable so your home can move with you for total flexibility. While the most popular sizes for Living Little homes are 50-60msq, the team at Living Little can work with your needs to create the perfect home for you and your circumstances. All Living Little homes come with a five-year domestic use guarantee on all workmanship and can be delivered anywhere in New Zealand on the South Island or the North Island. Living Little can take care of your building consents and foundations for permanent homes, to make the whole process simple and stress-free. Off-the-grid options with composting toilets are also available for an eco-friendly alternative. Do have a look at our blog on compliance for Little Homes and Tiny Houses to see a great breakdown of your choices. We also link into the MBIE Guidelines so you can see them too. If you are thinking small – it is a must to view Living Little homes and experience the beauty, class and simplicity of the remarkable down-sized lifestyle choice.If you are coming to Christchurch any time soon contact Sophie at Living Little at [email protected] to make a time to view. It’s also our pleasure to meet you over Zoom, Google meets or your preferred video call platform and have a walk and talk through the homes on site. If you’d like to see them, we’d love to show you and will remove any barriers that we can so you can do that with ease.We’re a people company and bring the craft of taking care of you into our business, right alongside the quality workmanship.In the meantime, take a sneak peek on our website at www.livinglittle.co.nz and feel free to ask any questions you have. Knowledge is power and Little is affordable!We look forward to meeting you. Sophie022 652 [email protected]
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