Georgia-Rae Flack’s journey is a remarkable example of how passion and determination can turn dreams into reality.
Living in Karitāne, a small coastal village she deeply loves, Georgia-Rae decided to build her own tiny home, a challenge she embraced with enthusiasm despite having no formal construction training.
For years, she had nurtured the idea of living in a tiny house, driven by a desire for simplicity, sustainability, and financial independence. Working as a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Dunedin Public Hospital, Georgia-Rae managed to balance her demanding job with her ambitious project. The idea of building her home stemmed from her wish to avoid the burden of a mortgage while still owning a home, and she achieved this with a budget of just $50,000.
Her tiny house, sitting on a trailer, measures 4.25 metres in height, 8.1 metres in length, and 2.9 metres in width. Despite its small size, the house feels spacious and inviting, a testament to Georgia-Rae’s careful planning and thoughtful design. The construction process was a hands-on experience, with Georgia-Rae taking on most of the work herself. She relied on online resources like YouTube and Google, as well as the support of her family, to guide her through the process. The only tasks she outsourced were the electrical wiring and plumbing, while everything else was a DIY effort.
One of the unique aspects of Georgia-Rae’s tiny house is its commitment to sustainability. She utilised recycled materials for most of the exterior, including the windows, and furnished the interior with second-hand items. The house features a rainwater collection system, and she plans to install a wood-burning stove for the winter months. Additionally, the house is wired for solar power, which she hopes to implement in the future, allowing her to live completely off-grid.
Living in a tiny house has brought Georgia-Rae closer to nature and reinforced her connection to Papatūānuku, or Mother Earth. She spends a lot of time outdoors, growing her own food and collecting rainwater, all of which align with her values of living lightly on the earth. This lifestyle not only fulfils her personal goals but also strengthens her bond with her environment and community.
Karitāne is a place of deep significance to Georgia-Rae. She cherishes the breathtaking landscapes, the close-knit community, and the cultural heritage that the area represents. From her tiny house, she can see the ocean, the river, the mountains, and even the local marae, which holds great importance in her life. This connection to her surroundings is a constant source of comfort and inspiration, grounding her in her heritage and the land she calls home.
Georgia-Rae’s commitment to her community extends beyond her tiny house. She is actively involved in local environmental initiatives, serving as the youngest member of the East Otago Taiāpure Committee. This group is dedicated to preserving and revitalising the local fisheries, ensuring that they remain sustainable and healthy for future generations. Her work with the committee reflects her passion for the environment and her dedication to making a positive impact in her community.
Throughout her journey, Georgia-Rae has shared her experiences and insights through her YouTube channel. What began as a way to document her progress has evolved into a platform where she connects with others interested in tiny house living, sustainability, and veganism. Her channel features videos on the construction of her tiny house, as well as plans for future projects, such as building a deck and converting a van. Through her content, she hopes to inspire others to pursue their dreams and live more sustainably.
For Georgia-Rae, the freedom that comes with living in a tiny house is unparalleled. She encourages others who are considering building their own home to take the plunge and embrace the learning process. “It’s about learning one thing at a time and then just building on that knowledge,” she says. Reflecting on her own journey, Georgia-Rae offers a piece of advice to those who may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of building a tiny house: “Any time I got overwhelmed by how much I still had to do, I’d just take a step back and look at what I had actually accomplished so far.”
In the end, Georgia-Rae’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and a deep commitment to living in harmony with the environment. Her tiny house is more than just a home, it’s a symbol of what can be achieved when we align our actions with our values and pursue our dreams with determination. For Georgia-Rae, the journey of building her tiny house has not only provided her with a beautiful and sustainable living space but has also strengthened her connection to the land, her whānau, and herself.
