Regional Team Q&A with eHaus Wellington

Recently we launched a new segment that shines a light on our regional teams who bring our high-performance homes to life. Every eHaus is project-managed by a local team who guides each build from the very first client conversations through to handover day, taking care of every part of the design and build process along the way. Across the country, each team brings its own expertise, personality and passion for building better homes. Regional Team Q&A is our way of sharing their stories with you.

Regional Team Q&A with eHaus Wellington & Kapiti
 
What’s something unique about your region or the way you build?

Wellington is unusually demanding because of its combination of strong winds, rugged topography, coastal exposure and seismic conditions. NIWA describes the region as generally sunnier and windier than many other parts of New Zealand, while MBIE notes that wind exposure affects structural requirements, materials, weathertightness and even window and door placement. 

Favourite tool or site essential?

Definitely a good laser level. It’s one of those tools that gets used all the time and makes life on site that much easier. Accuracy is a big part of what we do, especially with the level of detail that goes into an eHaus build, so having a reliable laser close by is essential.
 

What’s one feature you think every home should have (that isn’t the norm)?

There’s not only one thing because our houses need a combination of multiple things to function well. Airtightness, ventilation system, right insulation and right amount, orientation, etc.
 

What does sustainability mean to you and your team?

For eHaus Wellington, sustainability means creating homes that are comfortable, healthy, energy efficient, and built to perform for generations. It’s about taking a long-term view rather than simply meeting minimum building standards.

For our team, that means being thoughtful about how we design and build, reducing energy demand, choosing durable and responsible materials, minimising waste, and delivering homes that require less energy to heat and cool. The Passive House principles that underpin eHaus are a big part of this.

Ultimately, sustainability is about building better with less impact, creating homes that are good for the people living in them, while also being better for the environment and future generations.
 

What’s the best part about working with your team every day?

Everyone brings different skills and experience to the table, but we share the same commitment to doing things properly, solving problems together, and supporting each other along the way. There’s a great sense of teamwork on site, and it’s rewarding to see that collective effort turn into homes we’re all proud to stand behind.
 

What part of the build process do you most enjoy?

I most enjoy seeing the project come together on site. There’s something really satisfying about taking a set of plans and watching them turn into a high performing, beautifully finished home.

I especially enjoy the detail involved in an eHaus build. Getting those important elements right from airtightness and insulation through to the finishing touches takes real care and teamwork. Seeing it all come together, and knowing the difference it will make to how the home feels and performs, is incredibly rewarding.

Lastly seeing the joy, it brings to our clients and touching base with them after a while to see how much they like it and see the difference to a standard build.
 

What excites you about the future of building in Wellington and Kapiti?

What excites me most is seeing the shift towards better performing, healthier and more sustainable homes becoming more mainstream. Here in Kāpiti and Wellington, we have a unique climate, so building homes that are warm, dry, comfortable and genuinely energy efficient makes a huge difference to the people living in them.

There’s also a growing awareness that a home should be built for the long term, not just to meet minimum standards. We’re excited to be part of that change and to keep pushing the standard of what a quality home can be. Kāpiti already has a strong connection with high performance building, including the Wellington region’s first certified Passive House in Waikanae, so it’s great to see that momentum continuing. 
 

You’ve been with eHaus since 2023, what do you love most about being part of the eHaus team?

What I love most about being part of the eHaus team is the shared passion for building homes to a genuinely high standard. Everyone cares about the details and takes pride in doing things properly.

There’s also a great team culture—we support each other, share knowledge and work together to solve challenges. It’s rewarding to be surrounded by people who are always looking to improve and who genuinely care about the homes we create and the people we build them for.
 

What advice would you give homeowners considering building their first high-performance home?

Do your research, ask plenty of questions, and surround yourself with a team you trust. A high-performance home is about more than adding insulation it’s about getting the whole building working together from the very beginning.

Think long term and focus on the things that will make a real difference every day: comfort, healthy indoor air, energy efficiency and durability. Getting these decisions right early in the design process can make a huge difference to the end result.

Most importantly, enjoy the process. Building your first high-performance home is a big journey, but seeing it come together and experiencing the difference once you move in makes it incredibly rewarding.

As the team behind eHaus Wellington & Hutt Valley, Chay and Erwin build precision-engineered, energy-efficient homes delivered on time and within budget. Passionate about passive and high-performance housing, they work with clients to create healthier, more sustainable living spaces.

Find out more about the team here.