Couple Builds Off-Grid Haven and Award-Winning Airbnb Empire

Guillaume Gignoux wanted to surf Raglan's famous waves, so when a friend offered him half of a bare paddock on New Zealand's rugged Waikato coast, he said yes. The 14-hectare property had no power, no driveway, and no buildings, just grass and native bush stretching toward the foothills of Mount Karioi.

His solution? Buy a rundown house bus and park it inside the gate. For months, Guillaume lived in the basic shelter while learning the land's rhythms through summer and winter, waiting to see where a proper home should go.

When partner Tara Wrigley joined him, she fell in love with the property too. They cooked on a little fire and slept in the rustic bus, spending their days working the land and dreaming bigger.

With Tara's two sons and a baby on the way, they needed a real family home. Working with Red Architecture and builder Leon Da Silva, they designed a completely off-grid house powered by solar energy and fed by stream water, positioning it in a spot sheltered from prevailing winds.

The four-bedroom home includes open living areas flooded with natural light, a covered outdoor space with a fireplace, and a magnesium pool. But Guillaume and Tara kept that old house bus, and in a moment of inspiration, listed it on the then-new Airbnb platform.

The "Love Bus" became an instant hit, even with its composting toilet and basic amenities. Sensing opportunity, the couple renovated it properly and added two more off-grid tiny homes: the Treehouse and the Love Nest Cottage, each with its own solar power and septic system.

What started as a side project grew into an award-winning business. The income allowed them to buy out the remaining 50% of the property and create what they named Kokomea, meaning "sunset glow."

Guillaume admits the journey tested them. They made mistakes, wasted money on wrong choices, and learned that off-grid living requires constant problem-solving with help from experienced mentors.

The Ripple Effect

The couple's success shows how sustainable tourism can work in harmony with conservation. Their property now features native bush restoration, a natural waterfall, swimming holes, and a wood-fired sauna, all powered by renewable energy and designed to tread lightly on the land.

Their three tiny homes have hosted thousands of guests seeking connection with nature, proving that off-grid doesn't mean sacrificing comfort. The business model demonstrates how families can build wealth while protecting the environment.

Now, after Guillaume's father passed away last year, the couple wants time with family in France. They're selling Kokomea to focus on what matters most, though they haven't decided what comes next.

"We've got heaps of memories. Birthdays, the kids growing up, and the parties," Guillaume says. "But we still enjoy it now, and still create some great memories every day."

After 16 years of watching sunsets over the coast, Guillaume still feels the wonder of that first paddock purchase, proving that sometimes the best investments are the ones that feed your soul.