Gulf Islands: An exclusive extract

Hauraki Gulf islands Including Waiheke, Great Barrier and Rakino islands. 

Not only do Waiheke Island residents get to live on a beautiful island with beaches, vineyards and cafes on tap but they have been the winners in the recent property boom. The island is now also a big commuter suburb thanks to the ferry. 

Lying 90km northeast of Auckland is Great Barrier Island, most of which is conservation land. Rakino Island is near Waiheke, but has a much smaller population and more primitive facilities.  

Great Barrier Island's population is mainly farming based. Its 1100 or so residents live clustered in scattered coastal settlements. The numbers swell in the summer. Rakino Island's permanent population is tiny. Life on Rakino is for the hardy and adventurous, although urbanites are bringing home comforts with them.  

Amenities There is schooling on Waiheke Island for all ages. Waiheke Island's main shopping area is in Oneroa, while there is a supermarket at Ostend, as well as shops and arts and crafts stores. Great Barrier has cafes, a pub and several stores. Rakino has nothing. 

Trends A two-bedroom Oneroa bach recently sold for more than $1 million. You can pick up a basic bach in the not so popular areas for around $300,000. 

Rakino Island has four residential areas, surrounded by rural blocks of about 4ha. Some coastal blocks have doubled in value in two years. 

Rental and investment Waiheke renters pay the same as those on the outskirts of Auckland. Renting on Rakino is virtually non-existent and Great Barrier would be seasonal. 

Best streets On Waiheke Island, any beachfront roads like The Strand, Beach Parade, Palm Rd or Waikare Rd.