Northland farm has tourism potential

Panoramic view from 174 Tauranga Bay property over Pumanawa Bay to Whangaroa Bay.

A big Northland rural property of over 157 hectares with expansive coastal views and the potential for tourism business ventures is for sale 40 minutes' drive north of Kerikeri on a sealed road.

"This property at 174 Tauranga Bay Rdis close to the famous Whangaroa Bay to the northwest and lends itself to a wide diversity of uses," says Chris Harding, agency manager at JLL who, with colleagues Anton Ritani and John Binning, is selling it by expressions of interest closing at 4 pm on Thursday April 16.

"The land is in five separate titles which could be subdivided for use as a farm park development tourism venture, a beachside motor camp, a coastal resort or a holiday retreat," Harding says.

"The south sideof the property also has the potential for many building platforms that would provide for wonderful sea views over Tauranga Bay Beach while the farm has a long waterfront boundary to the Whangaroa Harbour from which panoramic views of pristine water, deep anchorage in the bays, spring fed streams, rolling hillsides of native trees and bush can be seen from the many vantage points."

He says the agricultural sector remains confident and there is a sound demand for well-located farmland, so the property could also be purchased as a going-concern waterfront farm.

"With the prospect of additional income from its pine forest and multiple species of other trees, the sale presents an excellent opportunity for a variety of buyers."

View of house, barn and sheds on hillside at 174 Tauranga Bay Rd.

Harding cites ANZ bank research stating that the all-farm price measure has eased from an all-time high in the middle of 2014 to be currently sitting 25 per cent above the 10 year average. "Total turnover continues to oscillate around the 10 year average which indicates that prices have moderated - so it is a good time to enter the farm market," he says.

Ritani says the rich farmland comes with a well-maintained three bedroom home that lies adjacent to the road leading to popular Tauranga Bay. Across the road is the farm's barn, cow shed and implement shed.

He says the clear flat land is used for cattle for grazing, while 36 ha on the steeper sidings of the property have been planted in pine, sequoia, cypress, eucalyptus and pohutukawa trees. "Naturally occurring native bush has been retired to regenerate of its own accord," says Ritani.

Binning says the western waterfront provides sheltered waters and good anchorages.

Local inhabitants of the coastal waters and land include penguins, dolphins, kiwis and wild pigs.

He says that in Easter 1983 a memorial was erected on the west side of the property by the descendants of James Shepherd, catechist with the Church Mission Society, and his wife Harriet, one of the first Anglican missionary couples to visit the far north area.

"A short distance away is the Kauri Cliffs golf course, Whangaroa deep sea fishing base, marina and the well-known Kingfish Lodge. On the eastern waterfront there is a shale quarry that supplies metal for the formation of tracks and roads interspersed throughout the property.

"For those interested in angling, the property is well positioned to take advantage of the fishing grounds in and around Whangaroa Harbour which are renowned for marlin and many species of sports fish. At low tide oysters can be collected from the rock along with pipis, cockles and scallops from the beaches."