The Robert Ballance McLarin Release, the fifth stage of home sites at Kahawai Point, is now for sale in a masterplanned community built on connection, community and respect for the local landscape.
Kahawai Point is about an hour’s drive from downtown Auckland and the 65ha community savours a special location on a peninsula near the southern entrance to the Manukau Harbour, at the junction of the Taihiki and Waiuku rivers. It enjoys beautiful views of the two rivers and north to Awhitu and the harbour’s headlands.
This release is named in honour of Robert Ballance McLarin, who farmed this land with pride from 1920 to 1978. His life’s work shaped the fields, waterways and fertile soils that define the area today.
Kahawai Point was the vision of the late Tahuna Minhinnick – a respected Ngati Te Ata leader who dreamed of creating a coastal village that embraced the local environment. He got his old mate, property developer Bernie Chote, involved to help make it happen in 2015.
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After Minhinnick’s untimely passing in 2016, Chote came back onboard to help honour his legacy and continue to develop the picturesque neighbourhoods enveloping the peninsula, which are connected to 5km of coastal walkways bordered by native bush and pohutukawa trees.
Kahawai Point is a boutique development of just 800 homes, says Chote.
“As a small company, we pride ourselves on quality and a low-key approach, while staying deeply connected to the bush, the coast and Ngati Te Ata’s history in this area. We sell around 50 to 60 lots per stage and 47 lots within Stage 5 are now available. Stage 5 enjoys a rural coastal connection and range from smaller, affordable lots of around 300sqm right up to 800sqm. Our best stages are yet to come because that’s when we get to some stunning views across the harbour.”
As well as sections for sale, preferred New Zealand building companies also offer house and land packages for an easy, streamlined solution for buyers, including Jennian Homes, GJ Gardner and Signature Homes.
Kahawai Point was the vision of the late Tahuna Minhinnick – a respected Ngati Te Ata leader who dreamed of creating a coastal village that embraced the local environment. Photo / Supplied
Jennian Homes’ Kahawai Point display home can be viewed at 42 Opouatu Avenue. It incorporates four spacious bedrooms (including a master suite with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite) and open-plan living and dining areas. The high-spec kitchen has premium appliances and there are ample storage solutions throughout.
GJ Gardner’s two options cater to both first-home buyers and those seeking a premium waterfront sanctuary and can be built as designed or customised. Lot 327 offers a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home located on a 501sqm section offering ample space for kids or pets to play. Lot 273’s four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence is a big step up, with seamless indoor/outdoor flow that maximises magnificent water views.
At lot 338, Signature Homes’ four-bedroom, two-bathroom offering is situated on a generous, north-facing section. This 184sqm home offers comfort, space and practicality – ideal for growing families, upsizers or anyone seeking a spacious lifestyle by the water.
Chote says they’re also now investing heavily in the more traditional infrastructure, which will further enhance the sense of community.
As well as sections for sale, preferred New Zealand building companies also offer house and land packages for an easy, streamlined solution for buyers. Photo / Supplied
“We’re building the Kahawai Point Village Centre at the entrance to Kahawai Point and have our first tenant, Paddock to Pantry. We’re proud to work with them – they’re a strong local Karaka family and that’s what our village is all about, it gives us a point of difference in the market. It’s positioned right at the entry, on the old McLarin Farm site, creating a central meeting place. We open mid-December, just in time for Christmas trade.”
The McLarin family’s connection to the land stretches back even further. In the late 1900s, Robert’s father, John Wesley McLarin, planted the magnificent pohutukawa tree that still stands proudly near the village centre site.
Now more than 120 years old, it remains a living landmark – a reminder of the area’s rural heritage and the people who built its foundations.
“We’re using a local building company, Tekton Construction, who are using New Zealand steel, so it’ll have the look and feel of a rural shed that used to be on the original McLarin farm site,” says Chote.
Kahawai Point has always been about connection and the sentiment continues on.
Bayleys agent Michele Mathieson says: “This is a beautiful masterplanned community that offers a truly special lifestyle.” Photo / Supplied
Michele Mathieson, the Bayleys salesperson selling the sections, grew up just four houses down from Tahuna Minhinnick and went to school with him.
“This is a beautiful masterplanned community that offers a truly special lifestyle. There’s a boat ramp, so if you’re into fishing or heading out on the harbour with the kids, it’s easy to launch your boat. Glenbrook Beach is nearby too – it’s all here. And there are daily bus services to the local primary school and the high schools. It’s a really charming place with a wide mix of ages, making it a genuinely multigenerational community.
“I’ve had more than one young couple buy a section and build their first home, only for their parents to say ‘we like this’, and then purchase a section themselves to build a beautiful home – continuing the tradition,” Mathieson adds.
Sections are priced from $300,000; for sales enquiries, contact Bayleys agent Michele Mathieson on 0274863738.
- Sponsored by Bayleys and KPDL
