Sale delay for slice of Kiwi heaven

There was plenty of interest in Golden Bay Holiday Park on Tukurua beach but the sale date has been extended so more offers can be made. Photo / Bayleys

Despite lucrative offers, owners waiting to net higher bidders.

The owners of a slice of Kiwi paradise have turned down numerous offers on their beachfront property in the hope there are more to come.

The sale date for the sprawling South Island property, which includes the popular Golden Bay Holiday Park on Tukurua Beach, has been extended until January 31.

The Bayleys agent selling the property, which has riparian rights to the sandy bay, said there was a flurry of interest just as the tender process closed last week.

"Because of that the owners wanted to give those buyers a change to visit the property," Doug McKee said.

"We had a lot of people both in New Zealand and overseas who couldn't get here before Christmas so we have extended the sale date."

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

McKee had people making contact at the last minute so he was happy the owners extended the time.

More than 80 parties expressed an interest in the South Island property, which has a current valuation of $2.83 million.

McKee said a number of overseas buyers had been really keen, and a small syndicate of local families was also hoping to buy it to keep it for their personal use.

But McKee said the highest level of interest was from those wanting to buy it "because they love it" and who would continue owning it as a business.

The campground business was a virtual turn-key operation, McKee said.

It has 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 and plans for 10 more.

McKee said there was room to expand the luxury cabin side of the business, which would extend the lucrative holiday season.

The sale of Tukurua comes after Awaroa Inlet went to market earlier this year. Fears that it would fall into private hands sparked New Zealand's largest crowdfunding campaign with donations ranging from children giving a dollar to corporations pledging tens of thousands.

The Government donated $350,000, which allowed Duane Major and Adam Gard'ner to raise $2m for the purchase of the land, which is in the Abel Tasman National Park. The property has since been gifted to the Department of Conservation for all New Zealanders to enjoy.