When hospitality heavyweight Angus Rush unexpectedly found himself in Ōhakune caring for a sick family member, he began seeing the town through fresh eyes.
The father of two had spent countless childhood holidays there, but a few months living in the Central North Island community rekindled his appreciation for its natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle. Before long, the six-hour drive south became a permanent move.
Rush, 41, told OneRoof the deal was sealed when he and wife Sara spotted a vacant main street shop they knew would be perfect for their business. The couple packed up their Whangārei life and relocated with their two sons, aged 12 and 2, to the town of just 1300 residents.
Eighteen months later, Rush has no regrets. After corporate stints with McDonald's and Lone Star, and years running his own restaurants, he launched a takeaway outlet with a twist. Their burger bar, Hungry Rush, recently celebrated its first birthday and, according to Rush, is "humming".
Start your property search
The Rushes have also hit another milestone last week. They purchased their first home in the town, paying just $450,000 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house – something that would have seemed impossible in their previous lives in Auckland and Whangārei.
Angus Rush, owner of the Hungry Rush, with wife Sara. They moved to Ōhakune 18 months ago and have never looked back. Photo / Supplied
Ōhakune is attracting the attention of out-of-town buyers. Agents say the ski town is starting to feel like an all-year destination. Photo / Getty Images
A skier enjoys the thrills of Mount Ruapehu. Photo / Getty Images
Ōhakune is one of the cheapest towns for housing in the North Island. Its average property value of $455,000 has barely grown in the last five years and is less than half the nationwide average, putting homes there within reach of buyers with squeezed budgets.
Rush told OneRoof that Ōhakune was very much a buyer’s market right now. And the cost-of-living crisis had forced some holiday-homeowners to sell at reduced prices. “The houses you can get for your money here, you just can't compare really.”
His enthusiasm for the town and its supportive community was also rubbing off on other people. "I don't have any regrets," he said.
“My brother rang me the other day and asked, 'What's it like?' And I said, ‘Yeah bro, I would never change.' And so, he moved [here too].”
Discover more:
- Developer’s desperate $1 auction as lender turns the screws
- South Island lodge loved by British aristocrats hits the market
- Grand Designs cliffhanger house sells sight unseen to overseas buyer
Rush added: “I've got a great little business, we've bought our home and I'm glad that I was able to get out of the rat race and just enjoy what's on offer. When you wake up, and you look at the mountain, and you breathe in that fresh air, you're like, ‘Yeah, not bad.'”
Tall Poppies agent Kath Campbell had also noticed a slight influx of out-of-town buyers in recent months.
Campbell sold seven properties in August and had five properties either under contract or go unconditional in September. The main interest was from first-home buyers and retirees who were moving from all over the North Island, including Hawke's Bay, Huntly, Rotorua, Cambridge, Wellington and Auckland.
“They are sick of the cities - that's the genuine feedback that I'm getting from these people.”
The area has taken a hit over the last few years, with the collapse of ski field operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts in 2023 and the closure of two mills near Ōhakune in 2024, resulting in 230 job losses.
But Campbell said things now appeared to be looking up. “It is a beautiful area and quiet. I think that there is a growing confidence.”
The former BNZ building on Seddon Street, in Raetihi, is attracting out-of-town interest. Photo / Supplied
Pure Turoa, which runs the ski field closest to Ōhakune, was having its best year, she said.
Last year, when Rush set up his restaurant in the town, Sam Fletcher, a former trolley boy from Tūrangi, took ownership of the town's New World supermarket.
Campbell said both were amazing assets and were supportive of other local businesses.
“People who have come to this town are enormously community-minded. They're really, really positive. They see great things.”
She has just listed the former Bank of New Zealand building in neighbouring Raetihi and has already been contacted by retirees from out of town wanting to view it.
The distinctive property, which includes the bank manager's two-bedroom home at the rear, dates back to 1911 and is Raetihi's oldest surviving commercial building. It was previously tenanted by a gallery and Peak FM and is selling with a price indication in the mid- to high $400,000s.
A "mountain retreat with proven Airbnb income" is up for grabs at 11/54 Foyle Street, Ōhakune, for $325,000-plus. Photo / Supplied
6 Kowhai Way is at the upper end of the Ōhakune market, with a price tag of $600,000-plus. Photo / Supplied
Property Brokers agent Jody Milham is also an Ōhakune convert. He moved to the town from Wellington, and raves about the affordability and the beautiful scenery.
“It's a very beautiful location, and if you've been here before, then that just keeps pulling you back,” he said.
“We have seen a number of people moving over the last 12 months, looking for a permanent shift, especially those who have the capacity to be able to work from home and a few people looking to retire.”
For some that meant buying a bach; for others that meant buying land and eventually building a more permanent home.
Ōhakune has traditionally been seen as a ski town, but that was changing, Milham said, noting that summers were now busier than winters.
“If you talk to anyone with an accommodation business, you'll hear exactly that. You know, you've got four months of solid booking over summer, three months over winter.”
A four-bedroom home on Snowmass Drive, in Ōhakune, can be snapped up for $510,000. Photo / Supplied
Also in the same price band is a three-bedroom retreat at 2 Kanuka Way. The property has an asking price of $563,000. Photo / Supplied
He said the mountain bike tracks, walking paths and the impressive and ever-growing Carrot Adventure Park were all huge drawcards. There was also a vibrant arts and music scene.
And unlike the South Island ski towns, Ōhakune was still very much in reach. “Where else can you buy a bach or a holiday home in a beautiful location in New Zealand for under $400,000 because there is potential to do that.”
A chalet or entry-level home in the town can be picked up from about $300,000, with a three-bedroom house with proven Airbnb income for sale at 11/54 Foyle Street for $325,000-plus. Anything over $600,000 is classed as high-end, such as this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home at 6 Kowhai Way, which is asking $690,000-plus.
Some out-of-town buyers, from the likes of Auckland or Wellington, would often try to replicate what they used to have, but Milham said this was not always possible or really needed.
“A lot of houses don't have the big garage because you don't use it. You just need a storage shed for your toys. And you actually don't want to drive your car into a garage with the bikes or snowboards on top and have all the snow leak off and make a mess all over the garage floor. A carport's way more convenient.”
Bayleys agent Jenny Dekker agreed the drop in prices since market peak meant there was some good buying to be had and first-home buyers were now able to get so much more for their money.
She has a four-bedroom, two-bathroom modern home at 4 Snowmass Drive for sale for $510,000 and a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 2 Kanuka Way for sale for $563,000.
Locals aren't the only ones getting good deals. Dekker noted that Australians had bought places in town in the last few months. She said this made sense because Jetstar was now flying direct from Hamilton to Australia.
- Click here to find more properties for sale in Ōhakune
