A Manapouri farming couple putting part of their property on the market as a residential subdivision is set to give the area its first real growth in 18 years.

Cam and Wendy McDonald have farmed in Manapouri for 40 years, adding to their original farm several times, taking it to a size where it is now one of the two largest surrounding the Fiordland township, which had a population of 222 in the 2018 census. Looking to give the area’s population and therefore the local economy a boost, they have established Lancewood, comprising 33 sections ranging in size from 555 to 861 square metres, on land that was already zoned residential when the McDonalds purchased it more than 20 years ago.

Angela Monteith and Sandra Macnamara of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Te Anau are marketing the sections for the McDonalds. Sandra says Lancewood offers truly authentic rural living.

“Handy to the lake and to the established local amenities, this well-planned development boasts excellent services, including power, water, sewerage, and communications. With thoughtfully designed covenants and the option to place new transportable homes on generously sized sections, we expect new settlement here will comprise a mix of some permanent residences and some holiday homes. Along with Te Anau, Manapouri has strong appeal to those seeking to retire in stages, first establishing a holiday home before moving here permanently in due course.

“Cam and Wendy have spent most of their working lives farming here, during which time they have landscaped and planted thousands of trees, including amenity planting and shelterbelts. They have an eye for what looks good in such a picturesque and aesthetically renowned locality, they love the area, and have taken great care to ensure Lancewood sits in harmony with the existing community,” she says.

Adjacent to 1.2 million hectares of the Fiordland National Park, Manapouri is the gateway to Doubtful Sound, while also near Lake Te Anau, and fishing for tuna at Piopiotahi Milford Sound is an easy day trip. Serviced by two primary and one secondary school, the area abounds with opportunities for boating, kayaking and golf, also featuring three of New Zealand’s great walks: Kepler Track, Milford Track and Routeburn Track, plus numerous day walks.

Lancewood is on the township’s eastern outskirts. Apart from one small subdivision in the middle of town, Lancewood is the first significant residential development in Manapouri since the hydro village in the 1960s.

Explore similar articles in our most recent edition of the Lifestyle & Residential Collection.