Combining precision modular construction with a developer’s mindset for scale and efficiency, a new 47-home residential development is underway at 6 Kauri Street, Ōtaki. An innovative project that stands as a model for how streamlined, environmentally sustainable housing can meet both developer demand and the affordability dilemma. A collaboration between modular home builder Bode and established property developer The Wellington Company, Kauri Street demonstrates how high-spec, pre-manufactured housing is a cost-effective choice for property investors across the spectrum, from private landowners to major property developers.From its durable SIPs Panel construction that enables faster build times to its competitive pricing at any scale, Bode’s superior modular construction is both a win for the environment and the owner’s bottom line, says Bode Homes sales manager Adam Percy. “Bode has reimagined what factory-built housing can offer, and it’s not just speed and affordability. We’re delivering some of the best-performing homes on the market, double that of the current building code for energy efficiency,” he says.Bode’s own 56-square-metre show homes have achieved a 7 Homestar design rating for their highly efficient thermal properties. Bode is a Homestar-accredited company, meaning they design and build to the stringent Homestar criteria. A recent Infometrics report revealed that investing in a Homestar-rated home has the potential to save homeowners tens of thousands in the long term, through energy savings and discounted mortgages.

“We hope this project inspires others to see how high-quality modular homes can deliver real community outcomes quickly, affordably, using local materials and with less waste.”

James McDonald, Residential Development Manager at The Wellington Company, which is overseeing the Kauri Street project, sees the Bode model as a breakthrough for regional developers. “It’s a turnkey solution. Developers get a fixed-cost build with integrated planning, architecture and engineering from Bode.”The Kauri Street development will feature a mix of two-bedroom, two-bedroom plus study and three-bedroom duplexes, alongside a handful of standalone homes. The two-bedroom units range from 80 to 96 square metres, and all homes are constructed using Bode’s precision construction methods, which deliver superior thermal and fire performance ratings. These homes are prefabricated at a Christchurch facility, with precision machinery cutting to within 0.5-millimetre tolerances. The predrilled flat-packed components are then delivered directly to the site or can be assembled at Bode’s Ōtaki yard.The Bode range of modular homes starts from 32 square metres up to 128 square metres, and the build system is equally suited to urban infill developments under a community title model, ensuring healthier, more cost-effective community housing options. Although concrete foundations are required on duplex and above structures, standalone Bode Homes can be concrete free, affixed to screw piles offering resilience to climate-related risks and enabling future relocation.Bode is one of the few modular building companies that tackle the duplex and multi-level housing equation, says James, and that was a major plus in choosing them. “I think there could well be some exciting opportunities ahead for the modular prefab construction model, including around terraced housing and multi-unit block solutions,” says James. “We hope this project inspires others to see how high-quality modular homes can deliver real community outcomes quickly, affordably, using local materials and with less waste.”© Waterford Press Ltd 2025 – Independent Print Media New Zealand