Land purchaser to reap fruits of rezoning

Bill Carlson of Barfoot & Thompson Commercial.

A big strategic land holding of 9.3 hectares that has been in the same ownership since 1983 and located just over six kilometres from central Pukekohe will go under the hammer later this month.

"This is an ideal land banking opportunity for astute investors with the added bonus of a rural lifestyle," says Bill Carlson of Barfoot & Thompson Commercial who, with colleague Jason Woodyard, is marketing the property at 858 Paerata Rd, Paerata, for sale by auction to be held at Pukekohe racecourse, 222-250 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe on October 29 - unless it sells earlier by negotiation.

Bill Carlson of Barfoot & Thompson Commercial.

"The property is across from Wesley College on Paerata Rd," Carlson says. "The college and surrounding farmland totalling 306.9 ha has council approval for rezoning to make way for a planned new town with 4500 residential sections, new primary and secondary schools, retail developments and a retirement village. The plan is to transform the area and make it 'the most liveable town within the most liveable city'."

Carlson says about six hectares of the land is leased out and is operated as a kiwi fruit orchard and the remainder of the property is available with vacant possession.

"The property could provide future holding income from the orchard for a new owner while the rear portion of the property would make an ideal lifestyle block with its appealing rural views," he says.

There are no buildings located on site for sale and the improvements comprise fencing, roading, a water pump and bore.

Woodyard says the extensive kiwi fruit orchard and canopy system has been erected and paid for by the tenant, Southern Orchards Limited.

"The expense of purchasing and erecting this system has been borne by the tenant and the costs are to be deducted from the owners' share of the profit from the orchard operation.."

Jason Woodyard of Barfoot & Thompson Commercial.

The lease term to Southern Orchards is for six years commencing on July 1 last year and expiring on June 30, 2020.

"There are no rights of renewal or rent reviews contained within the lease and the rent

is determined on a 50/50 profit share basis between Southern Orchards and the property owner," Woodyard says.

"The property is currently zoned Rural but it is located in Stage Three of the Pukekohe Area Plan designated for mixed housing and single housing while the majority of the land within the property boundary is marked as Future Urban under the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan.

"With the council planning ahead for the growth of Pukekohe and its environs this property is situated just seven minutes' drive in from the town centre. Being close to residential housing, its sale represents a great opportunity for future development or investment," Woodyard says.