Fall in love with the Bay.
The Bay of Islands offers a unique quality of life — a sub-tropical climate and cosmopolitan yet authentic small scale towns and vibrant farming communities. There are numerous sheltered bays and harbours with white sand beaches, abundant seafood, highly productive farms and orchards, some of our country’s most diverse ancient rainforests and superb recreational options.
Kerikeri
An easy 8 minute drive from the property, Kerikeri is the largest town in the Far North, the main commercial hub for Bay of Islands locals and it services extensive horticulture and farming enterprises. The Mãori meaning for Kerikeri is 'to dig up repeatedly' in reference to the fertile soils and established place for cultivation of crops. The Bay of Islands Airport is ~15 minutes by car from the property. Flight time from Kerikeri to Auckland is ~35-40 minutes, with up four flights per day on Air New Zealand and up to two flights per day on Barrier Air and drive time is ~3.5 hours.
There is great selection of specialty shops, two major supermarkets, smaller food stores located in both Kerikeri and nearby Waipapa, The Old Packhouse Market and Kerikeri Farmers’ Market which operate at weekends and many cafés, pubs, wineries and take-out food and beverage options — all within 10 minutes by car.
The property is located in a rural lower speed zone of 70kph — which promotes a calm, quiet and much safer environment.
Recreation
The boat ramp at Waipapa Landing is a ~3 minute drive and the marina and boat ramp at Doves Bay is ~15 minutes. There are numerous recreational opportunities nearby, including white sand beaches, boating, fishing, walking and cycling trails, horse-riding, historic places and Puketi Forest, noted as one of the most diverse rainforests in New Zealand. The ‘Pou Herenga Tai’ Cycle Trail is ~40 minutes by car from our property.
Schools
Kapiro Road is on the school bus route. Public schools for which the property is zoned are Riverview School (~5 minutes by car) which caters for Y1-6 students and Kerikeri High School (8 minutes by car) which has ~1,500 Y7-13 students. Both schools are co-educational and follow the NCEA curriculum. Springbank School (~10 minutes by car) is a private educational facility with ~200 Y1-13 students and offers both the NCEA and Cambridge curriculums. The Bay of Islands International Academy (~10 minutes by car) is a primary school with ~90 Y1-Y8 students and is an authorised International Baccalaureate School teaching the PYP (primary years programme).
Paihia
Paihia is ~30 minute by car south from the property and is the main tourist hub for the Bay of Islands. Directly opposite Paihia is the historic town of Russell (Kororãreka) and close by is the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds — the place where Mãori chiefs first signed their treaty with the British Crown. Also nearby is the town of Opua with its port, marina and vehicular ferry to Russell.
Hokianga
On a day excursion travelling west from here you can take in the Waipoua Forest with its giant Kauri trees, the beautiful Hokianga Harbor with its quaint seaside settlements of Õmãpere and Opononi and giant sand hills, the Puketi and Omahuta Kauri forests (with multiple walking trails) and the historic towns of Rãwene, Kohukohu and Horeke.
A food lover’s coastal paradise — it’s all upside!
Kerikeri is a prime horticulture area adjacent to a stunning coastal environment and the upside of living in close proximity to all that abundance is obvious. Think of it like a mix of Tuscany and the Caribbean — but with a ‘down-to-earth’ New Zealand twist! Sell-up and leave the city treadmill behind — the insidious pollution, the traffic congestion and long commutes, the ever present noise and stress, the chemically treated water supply and the ridiculous property prices. Bank some money, buy your dream boat and fall in love with the Bay — the climate, the up-close natural environment, the sheer ease of moving around, the diverse local artisan produce, the classic small-town friendliness and the absolute serenity!
“Key factors for us when researching property options here in Kerikeri included an architect designed home with inter-generational family living options, income potential, land to graze horses, reliable farm water, pure drinking water, a peaceful rural location, views, separation and privacy from neighbours and easy access to town, airport and local amenities. This exceptional property has exceeded our expectations in every regard. Distant family and new projects mean that after 8 years in paradise another lucky family now has the opportunity make one of the Bay’s finest homes their own.” — Níall & Wendy Mayson
Our favourite local beach is ~10 minutes by car + a short walk
Our favourite coastal walk is ~35 minutes by car
Kerikeri River Track & Rainbow Falls is ~5 minutes by car
Some of the best views from a horse you'll find anywhere
New Zealand's most diverse rainforest is ~15 minutes by car
New Zealand's most important heritage site is ~30 minutes by car
144 Islands to choose from
A great morning walk & view is ~35 minutes by car + a short climb
Our favourite Far North beach is ~1.5 hours by car