A Kiwi barn is a gable shed with one or two lean-to wings. This design creates flexible space and is a cost-effective alternative to more complex barn styles.

Kiwi Barns NZ - Flexible & Cost-Effective Barns

Q: What makes a Kiwi barn different from other barn styles?

Kiwi barns combine a standard gable shed with lean-to wings to create a practical and cost-effective building. This approach provides large usable internal space without the complexity and cost of traditional barn designs.

Kiwi Barns NZ – Smart, Flexible Barn Design

The main shed is where the strength is designed into the building, and this can be any width. The side wings can also be any width, providing additional strength to the structure. The wings can have a roof pitch that matches the main building, or a different pitch can be used to create a range of unique looks.

These buildings are similar to an American barn, where the main centre portals can be intrusive. However, because Kiwi barns use wider main portal spans, they don’t restrict usable space in the same way. Internal spans typically start from around 6 or 7 metres and can extend up to 11 or 12 metres with ease.

When you consider the lean-to wings are additional to the main span, a very wide building can be achieved without the need for over-engineered portals, as the design provides strength by default.

Why Choose a Kiwi Barn?

Kiwi barns are one of the most efficient ways to create usable floor space. By combining a standard shed structure with additional wings, you can achieve a large practical building without the added cost of more complex barn designs.

When designed well, Kiwi barns are not only cost-effective but also look sharp, with well-balanced proportions and the right additions such as roller doors and windows.

Flexible Design Options

Custom sizes to suit your site and intended use
Single or multiple doors and access points
Roller doors, PA doors, windows and other options
Open, enclosed or partially enclosed areas
Storage, workshop, vehicle or mixed-use layouts
Custom internal layouts and building configurations
Roof and wall options to suit the building design
Site and location-specific engineering

Kiwi barns are the great option at an affordable price.

Here are some of the Kiwi barns we have supplied and constructed as turnkey builds around New Zealand.

30 Degree Pitch Kiwi Barn

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Double Wing Kiwi Barn

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Kiwi Barn with open lean to

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Photos and Details of our system

The average shed company designs buildings based on standard measurements simply rounded to the meter, then builders trim the excess cladding to suit. We do it way better – we base each dimension on the total cover of the cladding sheets

Why?

A wall 12.3 m wide instead of 12.0 m really makes a difference. Everything lines up, flashings fit properly, reducing waste and saving time.

More close up photos

Get a Kiwi barn price

Want to know what a Kiwi barn will cost? Option 1: Get ballpark pricing. Option 2: Use our 3D shed designer to create your own custom layout, then hit send to get a firm price.

Get a kiwi barn price now

Cladding sheets and flashing alignment on a NZ made shed

Why Choose Us

We do things differently — and it shows in every building we supply.

New Zealand Steel

Locally sourced New Zealand Steel throughout — dependable quality, accountable supply chain, built to last.

Site Specific Engineering

Engineered for your exact site conditions — not a generic solution. Built right, from the ground up.

20 Years Experience

Over 20 years of expertise goes into every barn we design and build, from pitch angles to the finishing details.

COLORSTEEL® Cladding

Genuine COLORSTEEL® cladding, engineered for the NZ climate. Strong, weathertight, and available in a full range of colours.

Kiwi Barn Design & Materials

Kiwi barns offer a practical and versatile solution, combining durability with functional design.

Interior of completed steel shed showing open span, roller doors, and clean structural layout

Colour Chart

NZ Steels Colour steel range.

All of our sheds and barns are built with NZ steel and clad using from their Colorsteel Maxam range, you can choose a combination of colors to suit your taste and make sure your new shed look as good as it should.

Colour Selection Tool

COLORSTEEL colour chart showing available colours

Explore different barn options

We offer a variety of barn styles to suit different uses and preferences, view more barn options.

Find Answers to the Most Common Questions Here

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us and we’ll get back to you quickly.

What is a Kiwi barn?

A Kiwi barn is a gable shed with one or two lean-to wings. This simple design creates flexible space and is a cost-effective alternative to more complex barn styles.

What makes a kiwi barn different from other barn styles?

Kiwi barns are designed for practicality, looks, and price. They combine a gable shed with lean-to wings, creating a cost-effective option that provides a large usable internal space without the complexity of more traditional barn designs.

Dream it. Design it. Build it.

Bring your ideas to life with our easy-to-use 3D shed designer

Start Designing View Guide

What They Say About Kitset Sheds

Don’t just take it from us. Here is what some of our happy clients have to say

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Leyton Mercer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From the initial enquiry to production of the shed Paul was brilliant to deal with . His knowledge and anytime availability was amazing . As first time shed builders we were green and Paul stepped us  through every phase including advice on Council consent .
We now have a finished product that has exceeded our expectations .
Would highly recommend Kitset Sheds NZ Ltd and if needed he will be the first we will call.
Leyton and Sondra from Clevedon , Auckland
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Hannah Lane 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We’re incredibly grateful to Kitset Sheds Limited for their generous support of local performing arts in Tauranga. Their sponsorship of our production of The Places You’ll Go made a huge difference and helped bring this show to life for our community.

It’s fantastic to see a local business not only supporting the arts financially but also getting involved in community events and backing creative opportunities for young performers. Their generosity, encouragement, and belief in what we do has been amazing.

Thank you, Kitset Sheds Limited, for investing in the arts and helping make performing opportunities possible for our community. Your support truly means a lot!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Deb Tarr 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Paul Wiiliams always had a smiling face with great work ethic.  Our 10 year old shed has doubled in value.  We now live in the legal cottage attached to the garaging. But previously it was rented out. Best thing we ever did.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Caleb McQuoid 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kitset sheds supplied the kitset shed, and the quality of the materials and design was excellent. Everything arrived as expected and was well organized, the kit arrived clearly labeled, and easy to work with, making the building process efficient and hassle free.

The finished shed is solid, practical and exactly what the client was after. Meraki Builders completed the installation and construction of the shed and the quality of the shed made it straightforward to achieve a great final result.

We here at Meraki Builders Ltd highly recommend Kitset sheds Limited for anyone looking for a reliable, well-designed kitset shed solution.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Russell Williams 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I built a kitset shed in 2025 (4 bays, 16.25m x 8.9m) and it was a total blast! The kit instructions were excellent, and anything I didn't fully understand I was able to phone Paul and get the answer quickly. The shed is now complete and being set up as an engineering workshop. I can't wait to get some projects going. I highly recommend Kitset Sheds Ltd and owner Paul Williams (no relation to me) for their helpfulness, excellent communication, speedy delivery, excellent product and overall ease to deal with.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jason McMillan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Paul’s tips and advice was priceless.
Paul is always available and keen to help.
Everything was organized and efficient.