Waiheke estate yours for $26m

The substantial property, with a caretaker's residence, boatshed and jetty, sits on the edge of Cowes Bay with views to Pakatoa.

A beachfront mansion enjoying almost the entire Cowes Bay on Waiheke Island is on the market for $26 million - nearly twice the record $14 million paid for a lifestyle block at Karaka last year.

The 1114sq m house has nine bedrooms and five bathrooms, an indoor heated swimming pool, tennis court and panoramic views to Pakatoa Island.

Included in the 34ha estate is a caretaker's residence, woolshed with its own accommodation, boatshed and wharf.

The property, built about five years ago, is owned by an Irishman with overseas business interests.

Chris Palmer, who is handling the sale through Premium Real Estate, said the owner was very private and did not wish to comment.

Mr Palmer said the property was the most expensive to come on the market on Waiheke.

Since the New Year, one expatriate New Zealander and two Aucklanders have paid more than $3 million for slices of Waiheke Island.

A property at Kaikuku Bay, on the southwest coast, sold for just over $3 million; a Church Bay property fetched $3.5 million and an Oneroa property $3.35 million.

NZ's richest man, food magnate Graeme Hart, is reputed to have paid more than $14 million for 40ha at Church Bay before Christmas.

Last June, a 31.5ha property at Karaka in South Auckland sold for $14 million.

Barry and Emma McCollam's Takapuna beachfront mansion sold last April for $12.78 million - the record price for an Auckland home without substantial land.