“This is virtually untouched land. There is a house and a cottage at 59 Waimangu Road, overlooking Pipitewai Bay, but it is otherwise a blank canvas. The property includes a 1.5km strip of coastline and extends inland towards the airstrip. It includes stands of native bush, walking tracks, ridges with incredible views and all of that wonderfully productive Waiheke soil,” JLL’s Managing Director Nick Hargreaves says. 

“There are two small waterfalls on the property and the current owners have encouraged the birdlife. There are now resident oyster-catchers, paradise ducks, kereru, herons, kingfisher and tui that return year after year, some nesting within sight of the house. 

“There are very few farms left on Waiheke. Here is a rare chance to own a sheep and beef farm with a long and proud history - or perhaps find a new use for the land.”

Under the Operative District Plan this site could be subdivided into seven 25ha parcels.

The property has been owned by George Lyle and his family for more than 10 years. 

“We have seen how much the island has grown and changed over the last decade – from a peaceful retreat from the world to a bustling holiday destination and wine region. We adore Waiheke but it is time for our family to do something different,” he says. 

The property is 25 minutes’ drive from Matiatia Wharf, where the main passenger ferry arrives from the city. It is 18 minutes’ drive from Kennedy Point, where the car ferry from Half Moon Bay docks. 

“The site has a long history. The Gordon family purchased much of the Eastern side of Awaawaroa Bay in the early to mid-1800s. Over the years this was subdivided into three large blocks of between 350 and 450 acres. One of the direct descendants of the original family still lives on one of the neighbouring farms,” Hargreaves says. 

Waiheke Island is a favourite summer destination for Aucklanders, given that it offers stunning beaches, vineyards and restaurants just 35 minutes away from the CBD by ferry, and more than 60 sailings per day. Its population of around 9000 residents is said to swell to about 50,000 over the summer months. 

House prices have risen substantially on Waiheke in recent years. In Onetangi, the median house price was $595,000 in 2014. That figure rose to $725,000 in 2016 – an increase of 21.8 percent. Over the same period, the median house price in Oneroa (the main village, closest to the main ferry terminal) rose by 19.1 percent, from $820,000 to 977,000. Palm Beach has seen the greatest increase in its median house price, from $710,000 in 2014 to $1,139,500 in 2016 – an increase of 60.4 percent. 

Waiheke has also received international attention from Lonely Planet (Best in Travel, 2016), the New York Times (one of the “places to go” 2013) and the US magazine Travel + Leisure (The World’s Best Islands - top island in the South Pacific and number four in the world). 

Waiheke is within commuting distance of Auckland’s CBD and there are around 2000 Waiheke Islanders who commute by ferry to the city every day for work. 

“Taking up permanent residence on Waiheke is proving more popular as the island develops. It has a new supermarket and the village has developed significantly in the last 10 years. The permanent population is expected to be close to 12,000 by 2043.”

Planned investment in Waiheke’s infrastructure include a $40 million investment in the school infrastructure, commencing in 2018. The Waiheke Local Board is proposing an environmental hub including marine, conservation and education facilities. The local board also wants to build a community swimming pool and develop pensioner and community housing on council land. A 200-berth marina is proposed, near the existing car ferry terminal at Kennedy Point. 

“An opportunity of this magnitude doesn’t come up very often,” Hargreaves says. “Waiheke has come a long way in the last 10 years in terms of how well it caters to visitors. The wineries, restaurants and accommodation available are top class. This could be a chance to take advantage and be part of the island’s future.”

The property is being marketed through an international expressions of interest process, closing April 21.