‘A real shot in the arm’
Tairua sections snapped up in boost for local economy
Anew housing development in Tairua has attracted a huge amount of interest from the buy-to-live market, in an area traditionally known for its high proportion of holiday homes, which should “bring confidence back to the Coromandel”, says the agent tasked with selling the sections.
Thirty-five of 52 available sections have been sold in the development which, according to advertising, is a stylish enclave of quality homes “set amongst the misty native forests, pristine beaches and green pastures”.
“Pepe Ridge is designed to be an idyllic escape from the worries of the world, the development is set just a few hours commute from Aotearoa’s largest city.”
Tony White of Sotheby’s is selling sections at “Pepe Ridge” in Tairua — a contemporary coastal development in the seaside township, which according to advertising, offers “the perfect Coromandel lifestyle”.
White said earthworks on the “generously sized, 1500-metre sections had recently commenced after resource consent was granted by the Thames Coromandel District Council”.
“Being big means you can build a family home, or for retirees. Mum and Dad might live there, but the kids are visiting from Auckland or Hamilton and there is plenty of space for children.”
“Things are definitely happening, the civil works are next — which will start in 2024 — and building works will kick off in 2025.”
The project has been in the pipeline for over two years, but “Covid and road damage [that includes the destruction of State Highway 25A] slowed things down”.
With any development on a grand scale, green concerns and keeping the Tairua public on side were paramount, White said.
“The community has been pretty supportive. The site was actively used by Maori in the past, and a couple of archaeologists came up [in case any taonga were found] and a karakia was done.”
“The developers are being careful about ecology, we all recognise no one wants the eels in the estuary and the creek hurt, and there is plenty of birdlife in that area including banded rail [mioweka] and locals will have noticed the wetlands have been fenced off, ” White said.
A significant amount of capital has been invested by the developers into the site which was initially signalled for development by wellknown Tairua man Sky Mason.
“The developers have invested $10 million, and things are looking up, ” said White.
“People are moving into Tairua and it’s families and retirees. It is going to keep builders and tradesmen going for years, and they will all be going and spending in local cafes and bars after work.”
“It’s a real shot in the arm for the local economy.”
The site is being developed by the company Pepe Ridge Limited whose directors are Jeremy Disher and Jason Carruthers.
Disher was approached for comment but hadn’t replied by the publication deadline.
Prices by negotiation.