Age Concern Rotorua has now moved three elderly residents into its tiny home scheme.
But the man behind the project says what started out as a possible solution for some Age Concern members struggling with housing, soon became a red-tape nightmare.
Age Concern Rotorua manager Rory O'Rourke says the standards needed from council inspections slowed the project and pushed it $75,000 over budget.
The project was funded from the sale of a house owned by Age Concern Rotorua - and the half-million dollar proceeds were to fund three tiny homes.
So how did this go as a solution to getting affordable housing for the elderly? Rory O'Rourke talks to Kathryn.