Beach on block: Slice of Kiwi paradise on foreign market

A slice of paradise is up for grabs with the sale of Golden Bay Kiwi Holiday Park and riparian rights to Tukurua Beach. Photo / Bayleys

The man who helped spear-head the crowd-funding purchase of Awaroa Inlet for all Kiwis to enjoy is hoping another slice of Kiwi paradise will remain in New Zealand hands.

Nine months ago Duane Major and Adam Gard'ner helped raise $2 million for the purchase of Awaroa Inlet - situated in the Abel Tasman National Park. The property has since been gifted to the Department of Conservation.

Today Major is calling on New Zealanders to unite again and do their utmost to secure ownership of Tukurua Beach, tucked away near the tip of the South Island in Golden Bay.

Offers for the 6.17ha property - which includes a campground and ownership rights of the beach - can be made until Friday, December 2.

"Every time I see an opportunity like this it tugs at my heart strings," Major said.

"It would be great if people got together and secured Tukurua to keep it in the hands of New Zealanders because it is our coastline that is being sold off

"I still can't figure out why Kiwi beaches like this end up on the international market because it makes it very difficult to compete with overseas investors. I really hope people power steps in again and secures Tukurua for the New Zealand public."

Tukurua Beach is is less than an hour's drive Awaroa Inlet.

Bayleys sales agent Doug McKee said the property was bordered by sprawling native bush and a gentle flowing stream, ensuring privacy and tranquillity for those who bought it.

McKee said buyers from New Zealand and overseas had already expressed interest, but he believed the property had the potential to capture the country's heart the way Awaroa Inlet had.

Buyers could keep the property as a campground or turn it into a private residence.​ Photo / Bayleys

"The fact that you could own an entire beach in such a beautiful spot is amazing. And unlike the beaches in Abel Tasman National Park, including Awaroa Inlet, Golden Bay beaches are gentler on the feet," McKee said.

The purchase of Awaroa Inlet in February this year made headlines around the world.

It was New Zealand's largest ever crowdfunding campaign with donations ranging from children giving a dollar to corporations pledging tens of thousands.

The Government donated NZ$350,000.

"Duane and Adam started their fundraising campaign after reading about Awaroa's sale in a newspaper last year. It's possible someone is out there right now thinking they should do the same for Tukurua Beach," Mr McKee said.

Almost 40,000 donors pledged more than $2 million to help buy Abel Tasman National Park's Awaroa Inlet in July. Photo / Bayleys

The property, which has a ratings valuation of $2.83 million of is only accessible by private road or sea, is situated in the heart of Golden Bay, between the small holiday towns of Takaka and Collingwood.

The campsite is close to numerous walking tracks and natural beauty spots, including Te Anaroa Caves, Te Waikoropupu springs, Kahurangi National Park, Heaphy Track and Abel Tasman National Park.

It is within walking distance of one of New Zealand's most famous pubs, The Mussel Inn, home of Captain Cooker manuka beer.

McKee said the current owners were two New Zealand men who had been friends since high school.

"They purchased the property 14 years ago so they could give New Zealanders and visitors from overseas an affordable beachside holiday. They've enjoyed their time with it but now they feel it's time to move on."

He said the campground business was a virtual "turn-key" operation. It comes complete with 200 camping sites - powered and unpowered - seven cabins that can sleep up to six people each and two architecturally designed, 5-star rated luxury beach houses, with plans for ten more.

The property also has riparian rights, which means that the beach will belong to the new owners.

Offers on the property close at 4pm, Friday December 2.