A new beachside subdivision set to make the most of the immense potential Ōpōtiki has to offer goes on sale at an auction during Waitangi weekend.

Andrew Fowler of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Tauranga is marketing Waiotahe Dunes alongside colleague Phil Goldsmith. Just north of Ōpōtiki, the 22 sections are for sale by blackboard auction, onsite from 1pm on Saturday 3 February.

“Waiotahe Dunes is a few metres from an incredible beach on the edge of the vast East Cape adventure playground, in the midst of some of the world’s best fishing and seafood. Unbeatable views to Whakaari-White Island are complemented by easy ocean access through the new groynes completed nearby late last year.

“Ōpōtiki is the new frontier, with numerous employment opportunities backed up by intense recent regional development to take advantage of the district’s marine attractions and abundant seafood. Featuring well finished new roads and footpaths, with all the services in place, Waiotahe Dunes is beautifully designed and landscaped. Large sections provide plenty of room to park a boat, while plans are in progress for a new marina nearby.

“Whakaari-White Island’s marine environment is renowned for some of New Zealand’s largest kingfish, meaning Waiotahe Dunes is the perfect locality to access the ultimate in fishing,” says Andrew Fowler.

Of 22 sections offered, 21 range from 400 to 550 square metres, while one is 3.6 hectares, which Andrew Fowler says presents either for a lifestyle property opportunity or development as the Waiotahe Dunes subdivision’s last stage.

He says marketing by the innovative blackboard auction format should focus plenty of interest on the development.

“Each lot is listed on the blackboard. It’s a quick-fire format. When purchasers bid their price is written on the blackboard alongside that lot. When we reach a reserve, the price is written in green and that auction is live. No bids in a two minute period and the auction ends. Reserves have been set low: the vendor wants to ensure houses are built and this development takes off.

“On the day as well as the blackboard auction, we will have prizes, fun, and a barbecue lunch, adding a carnival atmosphere to the excitement of the sale,” he says.

Significant aquaculture development in Ōpōtiki is helping initiate a surge in activity in the Eastern Bay of Plenty’s lifestyle and residential property market, including Waiotahe Dunes. 

Investment includes iwi-owned offshore Te Whakatōhea Mussel Farm, sitting 8.5 kilometres off the Ōpōtiki coast, encompassing over 3800 hectares of open ocean, and supported by a recently built Ōpōtiki processing plant for the region’s unique gold lipped mussels. Substantial development of the town’s harbour includes the proposed new private marina and the new groyne, which creates an entrance navigable in all conditions, providing larger boat access. Further assisting regional economic development is the University of Waikato, which opened the Raukōkore Marine Research Centre last September, the university’s base for ongoing research in the East Coast Moana a Toi and the Tairāwhiti region.

Opotiki benefits from aquaculture prosperity

Significant economic development focused on aquaculture in Opotiki is helping initiate a surge in activity in the Eastern Bay of Plenty's lifestyle property market.

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