Kiwi Smart Tech is designed to help normal Kiwi households build better smart homes without confusion, jargon, or expensive mistakes. This short guide explains how the site is organised and how to find the right content for your journey.
The big idea #
- Everyone starts in a different place.
- Some readers are brand new to smart homes.
- Some already have Home Assistant running on a Raspberry Pi in the cupboard.
This site keeps everything structured so you can follow the parts that make sense for you and skip the parts that do not.
The six main sections #
Kiwi Smart Tech is split into six simple sections. Each one has a purpose.
1. Start Here #
The basics.
No jargon, no assumptions, no wrong questions.
Perfect if you are just starting out or want the simple version first.
2. Fundamentals #
The technical backbone of your smart home.
Routers, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, VLANs, and all the things that quietly make everything reliable.
3. My Setup #
Real world examples from my home.
What I use, what I tried, what failed, and what I would do differently.
4. Guides #
Step by step instructions written in plain, practical Kiwi English.
If you want to know how to do something, this is the place.
5. Reviews #
Honest, NZ focused reviews of gear that I have actually used in my house.
No hype. No marketing spin. Real experiences.
6. Gear #
Curated recommendations of products that work well in New Zealand.
Only the stuff that makes sense for Kiwi homes.
7. News #
Short updates, announcements, new product releases, firmware changes, ecosystem news, vendor updates, and NZ smart home insights.
A good way to stay up to date with what’s happening in the smart home world without having to dig through overseas tech sites.
Levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced #
Articles are tagged with a level. This helps you choose content that matches your confidence.
Beginner #
You want the simple version, the basics, and clear explanations.
Intermediate #
You are comfortable with a bit of configuration and want to build something more reliable.
Advanced #
You enjoy tinkering, local hosting, VLANs, and deeper technical detail.
You can jump between levels. They are there to guide you, not box you in.
Ecosystems #
Every home is different. Most smart homes in NZ use one or more of these platforms:
- Apple
- Amazon
- Home Assistant
- Homey (Hopefully comming soon)
- Hubitat (Hopefully comming soon)
- Mixed setups
Articles are tagged with the ecosystem they focus on, so you can find content that matches what you already use.
Reading paths #
You can move around the site however you like, but here are some common starting paths.
Path for beginners #
- What is a Smart Home?
- How to Use This Site
- Choosing your ecosystem (coming soon)
- Simple quick wins
- Starter gear recommendations
Path for tinkerers #
- Fundamentals
- Zigbee and wireless basics
- Home Assistant basics
- Guides
- My Setup
Path for shoppers #
How to get help #
Every article includes:
- clear headings
- simple language
- practical examples
- diagrams when useful
- a Try this next section to continue learning
Move through the site at your own pace. There is no wrong order, only your order.
Try this next #
- Read What is a Smart Home?
- Visit the Fundamentals section for strong basics
- Check the Gear section for practical recommendations
- Explore Reviews to see what actually works in NZ homes
- Browse Guides for step by step walkthroughs
