Kumeu/Huapai: An Exclusive Extract

Kumeu/Huapai

Including Riverhead, Waimauku, Taupaki, Dairy Flat and Coatesville 

Beneath the sleepy  romanticism of this semi-rural part of Auckland lies a  hotbed of property price rises. 

The area supports everyone from horticulturists to hobby farmers and  lifestylers. Part of the appeal is  suburban-style sections that have hit the market, so you can have the country lifestyle without having to feed livestock.

Amenities 

There are four rural primary schools but older children have to travel to Takapuna or Henderson for secondary schooling. 

Huapai and Kumeu each have their own shopping areas .  and the Westgate shopping centre is about 10 minutes' drive away. 

Woodhill and Riverhead forests offer ideal terrain for motorcycling, mountain biking, orienteering and horse riding. There are sport facilities in Kumeu/Huapai and movies at Westgate, plus restaurants tucked among vineyards. 

Trends

A shortage of properties and strong demand are keeping prices buoyant, but without the panic buying of recent years. 

There's strong interest from overseas, including British and South African migrants although most buyers are local, including those trading up and down within the area, and those moving into town from their farms. 

New sections tend to sell as soon as they hit the market.  . 

Rental and investment 

Most demand comes from families waiting to buy or in the process of building. 

Best streets

Matua Rd and Sunny Cres in Huapai; Pomona Rd in Kumeu; Solan Estate, Freshfields and Cloverfields in Waimauku.