Kiwi Smart Tech exists because smart homes shouldn’t feel overwhelming or complicated. Most of us just want things that work, make life a bit easier, and don’t require endless research or a pile of half-working gadgets in a drawer.
There’s plenty of smart home content online, but very little that speaks to normal Kiwis living in normal homes. One of the biggest challenges here is simply choice. Our big-brand stores only carry a small selection, and when we look overseas, we’re hit with the classic questions:
Will this work in New Zealand? Is the plug wrong? Is the voltage right? Is the Z-Wave region going to be compatible?
I’ve been through all of that. I’ve ordered things that turned out to be useless here, and I’ve found the occasional absolute gem. Over time I realised something: I’m not the only one trying to work this out.
There are plenty of smart home enthusiasts (and budding ones), homelab techies and wannabes, and general DIY tinkerers across the country doing the same thing - testing, learning, breaking things, fixing things, and trying to build systems that genuinely make life easier. We just don’t always have local guidance to lean on.
Kiwi Smart Tech is my way of sharing what I’ve learnt. The wins, the mistakes, the duds, the diamonds, and the practical setups that actually work in New Zealand homes. No hype. No jargon for the sake of it. Just clear, straightforward insight from someone who loves tinkering and wants to help others avoid the usual pitfalls.
This page will grow over time with guides, reviews, lessons learned, and a few experiments from my own homelab. My goal is simple: make smart home and homelab tech more accessible for everyday Kiwis who want to try new things without the guesswork.
If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place.
Try this next #
- Read How to Use This Site
- 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
