- Three iconic corrugated iron structures in Tīrau are for sale, including a sheep, ram, and dog.
- The properties, marketed by Bayleys, have a rateable value of $1.39m and generate $115,000 annually.
- Tīrau will also see new additions with approved plans for a Burger King and Starbucks.
Three New Zealand icons are up for grabs in the tiny Waikato town of Tirau.
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The landmark giant corrugated iron sheep, ram and dog have starred in countless tourist snaps and videos over the years.
The animals are home to the Big Sheep Honey and Souvenir Shop, The Ram SPCA Opportunity Shop and the Big Dog Visitor Information Centre on Tirau’s main drag.
The vendor picked up the properties 10 years ago for $1m and is now parting with them as part of a sell-off of his investment portfolio.
South Waikato District Council runs an information centre from the site. Photo / Supplied
The dog houses the information centre and has thousands of visitors going through its doors each year. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agents Murray Madgwick and Brendon Bradley are marketing the properties, which have an RV of $1.39m and are billed as an “extraordinary opportunity to secure one of New Zealand’s most iconic commercial investments”.
“Widely regarded as one of the country’s most photographed roadside attractions, the property enjoys exceptional exposure in a strategic tourism location connecting Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua,” the agents wrote in their listing on OneRoof.
The dog building is owned by the South Waikato District council, which pays the vendor ground rent to occupy the northern part of the site for the Tīrau Visitor Information Centre, public toilets and car parks.
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The land and buildings return a total net income of $115,000 a year, and according to the listing agents, “will be sold”.
The sheep building was built in 1994 by former owners Nancy and John Drake, who ran a wool and craft store from the site. The ram joined the sheep in 2005, prompting the rest of the town to join the fun with their own signs, structures and works of art made from corrugated iron.
Nancy told the New Zealand Herald in 2016 that it was a “gamble” to set up shop in Waikato, but it paid off immensely in the end.
The SPCA opened its op shop in the ram in 2022 and described it as being the perfect fit with its animal welfare image. Photo / Supplied
Thousands of local and international visitors stop at the giant corrugated animals every year – whether to get travel advice, pick up a souvenir or thrift item or to pose for a photo.
Tīrau is also set to get some new – and somewhat controversial additions – after independent commissioners approved a resource consent application to build a Burger King and Starbucks in the town. Both fast food chains had proposed incorporating corrugated iron into the build in keeping with the village’s quirky vibe.
61-63 Main Road, in Tīrau, is going to auction on July 22
