Escape from the city hustle
There are seven chances to own a slice of Kawau Island heaven, writes Erin Boyle.
FANCY A slice of an island paradise? It certainly wouldn’t be a bad way to start 2013.
Developed by Bill Birnie of Birnie Capital Partners in 2007 and 2008, Kawati Point in Vivian Bay on Kawau Island is a special seven-lot property development that is now fully titled into individual freehold titles, ready for construction of your holiday escape. There is no doubt that this property will become an exclusive and valuable retreat.
‘‘In 2008 when the property market was at full flight, two lots were under contract at over $2 million each, pre-completion and title,’’ says marketing agent John Greenwood of Sothebys International Realty.
‘‘But the current status is that the property is now fully titled in seven individual lots and it’s for sale in one complete seven-title investment, or each lot can be purchased individually.
‘‘You can either choose to create your own home, or Lockwood has provided a choice of three designs so you can buy a land-plus-build package.’’
Ranging in size from 1.6 hectares to 5.4ha, each lot has a cleared building site. Kawati Point also has direct thoroughfare to the only two white-sand beaches on the southern side of the island and private land access to its own north-facing beach – which on the island is quite rare.
‘‘These really are the best properties on Kawau. They are the only true north-facing Pacific Ocean sites available on such a beautiful island,’’ says Greenwood.
Kawau Island is 10 minutes north of Auckland by helicopter, and Kawati Point has its own dedicated helipad for owners who wish for a short, stress-free journey to their home away from home. By boat, it is only an hour from the city, or the combination of a drive to Sandspit and a water taxi will get you there in the same 60-minute time frame.
The Kawati Point development in Vivian Bay has been created to the highest standard, offering the only concrete roads on Kawau Island, and each lot is connected to water, power and telephone. Access to each of the lots is on golf carts via a network of concrete tracks. There is also a privately owned jetty, of which each lot owner gets a one-inseven share, as well as a storage facility for boats and access vehicles.
‘‘I think this is a fantastic investment for a family compound or a group of like-minded people to own some of the best island real estate in Auckland, if not New Zealand,’’ says Greenwood.
‘‘As individual lots, they are second to none as a private, secluded escape.’’
Along with expansive panoramic sea views, the property is covered in bush, predominantly manuka and kanuka, but there are also pohutukawa and other native species along the coastline. Kawau Island itself is also home to many native birds that are rarely seen elsewhere in New Zealand, from