Lucia Kowhai & Ayun Jesus

My husband, Ayun, and I are regenerative land stewards based in Chile. We dedicate our time to restoring landscapes and ecosystems through land hydrology and functional design as well as designing and building natural earthen homes.

Since 2019 we have been based in Chile where we run Tepual, a consultancy and design firm based around water cycle restoration and regenerative land design from our home project, Ruka Ngen Walle, in the foothills of the Andes mountain ranges.

We live in the home we built on our property in Chile and have been developing it over the past 5 years as a regenerative homestead, demonstration and education centre. It is a haven for native birds and is run by 2 cats who are the guardians and parents of all who pass through.

My husband grew up in Santiago and worked as a construction engineer for large scale developments before leaving the city behind in 2016 to travel and explore a different way of living.

I grew up on a farm here in New Zealand and have owned and looked after ducks, chickens, horses, goats, sheep, cows, frogs, tadpoles, cats and dogs during my childhood. I have experience in training horses and dogs and know my way around NZ farm life.

We have both traveled extensively; Ayun through South America, New Zealand, Australia, India and Nepal. Myself through South, Central and North America, Australia and Western Europe.

In November of last year we arrived to Aotearoa with the intention of living part of the year here to be closer to my family, this year we are running an organic pip fruit orchard in the Motueka Valley and will be based in the area until around mid-march.

We are a mature and couple who enjoy the peace and quiet of natural environments and love all animals. With my husband we are reliable, competent, compassionate and firm home, land and farm stewards.

We will value and care for your home and animals as if our own.

Saludos,

Ayun and Lucia