The Far North Market No bills, no grind, no debt: Off-grid homes in NZ’s hidden beauty spots

Diana Clement

Tom Rutherford MANAGING DIRECTOR / BUSINESS OWNER HARCOURTS KERIKERI

In the washing machine of media noise and economic change it is challenging for anyone to forecast what may happen in property market moving forward. There are several talented individuals and organisations who are doing their best to predict, and while many see confusion most agree that property is their biggest asset so it’s nice to know what is happening with values. Firstly, what happens in other regions doesn’t always truly reflect on the Far north, an exception to this could be, that you are currently on the market to sell and you have a conditional offer on your property and the party looking at buying needs to sell their home in Auckland to make the deal work for example.

The far north is a large and diverse region geography, socially and financially. It is proudly the birthplace of NZ, has strong claims to history and has its own set of unique factors which make it different to Auckland and other centres. The Far north has held its own and while we have seen some pricing fluctuations it needs to be remembered, what point are people taking that pries have reduced. If you take it over a few months maybe but go out further in a timeline and most are still in a positive zone.

The facts are across the Far north for residential property the current median sale price is $730,000, one year ago it was $660,000, three years ago it was $470,000 and five years ago it was $400,000. If you have owned a property in the Far north for 5 or more years, you have seen an increase in the median value of over 80%. There is an old phase known to many… if you buy and sell in the same market what the prices are doing has little impact.

One thing that cannot be influenced is market price, your property is only worth what the market will pay, if the price level of your property is not where you want, and you don’t want to spend any money, then the only factor you have is time.

Covid has definitely led to increased interest in off-grid homes, says Joel Vieviorka, of Haze Real Estate.

Whenever an off-grid listing comes up for sale in his patch in the Far North, he’s inundated by enquiries, from locals sick of power cuts and Aucklanders keen to escape the rat race and live off the land.

Vieviorka lives off-grid himself, so he understands the appeal, and recent advances in technology have made the lifestyle more accessible for mainstream buyers. “I have a friend on a farm, and it was going to cost a lot to run the [power] cable all the way in. It was much more effective for him to install a solar system,” he says.

Vieviorka has an off-grid cottage for sale at 6115 State Highway 1, near Kaitaia, in the Far North, at $459,000.

The 6.2ha block of manuka, kanuka, and native bush has beehives, and the honey they produce pays the council rates. A grass area at the bottom of the property could be resurrected for grazing, Vieviorka says. It is a 16-minute drive from Kaitaia for shopping and schooling, yet fully off the grid.

The current owner originally lived on it in a caravan, before building the cottage, which is in need of completion. He has reached a stage in life, however, where he needs a lifestyle with less work and plans to move onto his sister’s property.

An added bonus is a popular swimming hole immediately across the road from the property.

Vieviorka says: “This [property] has got slightly better infrastructure than most. It has a solar system, a flush toilet and a fireplace with a wet back. It also has a gas hot water cylinder, so two forms of hot water.”

He adds: “There are more people wanting to get off grid because power can be unreliable at times here. We have a lot of power cuts.”

The Far North region of New Zealand covers the northernmost part of the North Island and includes popular tourist destinations such as the Bay of Islands, Doubtless Bay, the Hokianga and Cape Reinga. The region’s property market is diverse, with a range of properties available including holiday homes, residential properties, lifestyle blocks, traditional farming and horticultural properties.

The Far North property market is driven by local and regional buyers, due to a number of factors; its natural beauty, tourism industry, and increasing interest from buyers seeking a more relaxed lifestyle away from the bigger cities.

The region is particularly popular with retirees that has seen increased construction of new retirement villages, families looking for a change of pace and Expats looking for a special slice of New Zealand.

Property prices in the Far North can vary greatly depending on the location and type of property. In general, prices are lower than in the major cities such as Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton and Wellington, making it an attractive option for those seeking more affordable housing along with the lifestyle the region is famous for. Some areas such as the Bay of Islands and Doubtless Bay command strong prices due to their location, views and access to the water.

The rental market in the Far North is strong, particularly in the popular tourist areas like Paihia and Russell, where holiday homes and short-term rentals are sought after. Longterm rental properties are also sought after, particularly in the larger towns like Kerikeri.

Overall, the Far North property market offers a range of opportunities for both buyers and investors. With its stunning natural scenery, strong tourism industry, and relaxed lifestyle, it’s no surprise that the region is becoming increasingly popular as a place to live, work, and invest.

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