| 101 Pencarrow Cabins BUILDING For Pencarrow Cabins founders Fiona and Jon Burke, the business was inspired by their shared experience working in social housing in the UK and New Zealand, where they saw first-hand the importance of having a warm, dry and comfortable place to live. Pencarrow Cabins is turning dreams into reality, creating buildings that give people warm, flexible spaces to enjoy life. What started as a casual text message in 2016 has developed into a family-run venture, helping more than 450 families and businesses create space where they could thrive and grow. For Pencarrow Cabins founders Fiona and Jon Burke, the business was inspired by their shared experience working in social housing in the UK and New Zealand, where they saw first-hand the importance of having a warm, dry and comfortable place to live. “Having witnessed the struggles families face with overcrowding and housing insecurity, we were inspired to create well-built, affordable and flexible spaces that could easily be added to homes or businesses,” Fiona says. The Porirua-based business now provides premium cabins for both sale and hire throughout the North Island, with quality and compliance a key focus. “Providing architecturally designed, high-quality cabins that exceed the building code has been our priority from day one,” Fiona says. For those interested in purchasing, Pencarrow Cabins provides self-contained studios, one and two bedroom options, offering families a way to grow and support accommodation needs on their property, without costly renovation costs. A recent one bedroom project on the Kāpiti Coast demonstrated just how flexible that could be, with the completed cabin craned over the main house into position. Designed in consultation with the client and his mother-in-law, the cabin incorporated her existing furniture requirements and provided space for family to visit. “Watching the crane lift [the] new home over the main house was pretty cool - definitely one of our most memorable deliveries!” Fiona says, Inside, the cabins are designed to maximise space, with clever use of glass and engineering to achieve light filled livable spaces. And with a range of designer upgrades there really is something for everyone. The cabins are also engineered for very high wind zones, reflecting the occasional conditions experienced across Wellington, Wairarapa, and Manawatū. While the sale side of the business provides clients with a longer-term solution, Pencarrow’s rental options provide flexibility for families and businesses needing additional space without committing to permanent construction. Pencarrow’s extra-large cabin is among one of their most popular rentals, providing a versatile and stylish option for accommodation or working from home situations. Warm and flexible spaces to enjoy Recent clients include a Tawa family who used one as a home office and guest room, while a young Judgeford couple rented one for nine months while saving to go overseas. Businesses are also finding the cabins valuable, including a Wairarapa veterinary clinic that has used one for staff offices for more than three years, and Kāpiti Hearing, which uses cabins as additional consultation rooms. Fiona says demand has remained steady, with the cost of living and changing work and housing needs, prompting more people to consider flexible space solutions. The 2025 building code change, which allowed standalone buildings under 70msq without consent, has also simplified the process for many customers. Pencarrow recently expanded its rental service into Whanganui and Manawatū, with plans to enter more regions over the next few years, while its sale cabins are already available throughout the North Island. Flexible Space, Endless Possibilities pencarrowcabins.co.nz 0800 111 228 T T Alexia Johnston When asked what they hoped their customers took away from their experience with Pencarrow Cabins, Fiona says the goal remains simple. “To feel that they have been listened to, and that we genuinely care about providing a warm, safe and welcoming space for them to spend time in.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=