Don Rodee visited New Zealand several times before deciding to settle in the country.

A United States Navy aircraft carrier pilot, he then switched to flying passenger aircraft for American Airlines, and he has had interests in horticulture since 1975.

“Whenever I’d come to New Zealand, I always enjoyed the atmosphere, the people, the topography and the climate, while being removed from a lot of the problems of the rest of the world was a good feeling,” he says.

In 2002 he increased his commitment to New Zealand, buying Matahui Point, a 64.9 hectare Katikati property on Tauranga Harbour, 32 kilometres north west of the Tauranga CBD. As Don explains, he wanted to make the most of the opportunities horticulture had to offer, planting almost half the property in Hass avocados.

“As they were becoming more and more popular worldwide, a promising export market was developing for New Zealand avocados, which made it an interesting opportunity. Ten years ago we also planted gold kiwifruit, which paid off well. With the two crops alongside each other, we have made the most of economies of scale, employing three people full time on the orchard, bringing in contractors as required, and making the most of the workshop, packhouse, office, implement and equipment sheds and other infrastructure all centrally situated at the property’s hub.

“This area has minimal frost and misses out on most of the bad weather.

“On top of that, our recreation is magnificent. We have extraordinarily good fishing, sailing and kayaking, and can head out to enjoy the water right in our front yard,” he says.

However, the time has come for Don to sell, and while Matahui Point’s horticulture base promises a new owner continued revenue, the growing prosperity of the Bay of Plenty presents additional opportunities.

“There are many benefits from the expansion of the local economy with a growing list of prosperous surrounding industries. We have a terrific port, giving access to shipping to a number of other New Zealand ports plus foreign exports. While investments in avocados and more recently kiwifruit have paid us back very well since we have been here, similar opportunities have arisen in other sectors,” he says. 

Don has retained Andrew Fowler and Ben Nottingham of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Tauranga to present Matahui Point to the market.

“This is a highly appealing property with many outstanding characteristics.

“As a mature orchard producing both avocados and kiwifruit, it comes with revenue streams that have been among the primary production sector’s most lucrative of the past few years; its 2.2 kilometres of harbour frontage, with riparian rights, provide world class recreational and aesthetic appeal; its central location, mid-harbour between Mt Maunganui/Tauranga city and Waihi Beach brings the best of the Bay of Plenty within easy reach; and its well-constructed high quality homestead has stood the test of time. Bring into the mix a deep water anchorage, a hot water bore, a disused airstrip that will be easily reinstated, and a land bridge to Matakana Island, and this is a truly compelling proposition.

“Adding an extra dimension are the incredible opportunities that a property of this aspect, size and location presents for the likes of a festival venue, eco-tourism, a links golf course, an equestrian centre, an international hotel, a retirement village, or other development initiatives, any of which will be easier to consent with the presence of a roundabout on State Highway 2 just a few metres from the property entrance,” says Andrew. 

Matahui Point is for sale by auction on 23 March.

Property Express - Out Now

Welcome to our autumn 2023 edition of PGG Wrightson Real Estate’s Property Express. From the first page to the last, this magazine is packed with premier rural properties which could be the setting for your next chapter.

View Now