Paradise for sale

Kiwi beach on offer to foreign buyers

The man who helped spearhead the crowd-funding purchase of Awaroa Inlet for all Kiwis to enjoy is hoping another slice of Kiwi paradise will remain in New Zealand hands.

Nine months ago, Duane Major and Adam Gard’ner helped raise $2 million for the purchase of Awaroa Inlet — situated in the Abel Tasman National Park. The property has since been gifted to the Department of Conservation.

Today Major is calling on New Zealanders to do their utmost to secure ownership of Tukurua Beach, tucked away near the tip of the South Island in Golden Bay.

The beach, which has a ratings valuation of $2.83 million and is only accessible by private road or sea, is between the small holiday towns of Takaka and Collingwood.

Offers for the 6.17ha property — which includes a campground and ownership rights of the beach — can be made until December 2.

“Every time I see an opportunity like this it tugs at my heart strings,” Major said. “It would be great if people got together and secured Tukurua to keep it in the hands of New Zealanders because it is our coastline that is being sold off.”

Tukurua Beach is less than an hour’s drive from Awaroa Inlet.

Bayleys sales agent Doug McKee said the property was bordered by sprawling native bush and a gentle flowing stream, ensuring privacy and tranquillity for those who bought it.

McKee said potential buyers from New Zealand and overseas had already expressed interest, but he believed the property had the potential to capture the country’s heart.

“The fact that you could own an entire beach in such a beautiful spot is amazing.

“And unlike the beaches in Abel Tasman National Park, including Awaroa Inlet, Golden Bay beaches are gentler on the feet,” McKee said.

The purchase of Awaroa Inlet in February was New Zealand’s largest ever crowd-funding campaign with donations ranging from children giving a dollar to corporations pledging tens of thousands. The Government donated $350,000.

“Duane and Adam started their fundraising campaign after reading about Awaroa’s sale in a newspaper last year. It’s possible someone is out there right now thinking they should do the same for Tukurua Beach.”

At Tukurua, the campsite is close to walking tracks and natural beauty spots, including Te Anaroa Caves, Te Waikoropupu Springs, Kahurangi National Park, Heaphy Track and Abel Tasman National Park.

McKee said the current owners were two New Zealand men who had been friends since high school.

“They’ve enjoyed their time with it but now they feel it’s time to move on.”