Bayleys national director residential Johnny Sinclair says owning a place by the water is far more than a property transaction.
“It’s an investment in a lifestyle and generational experiences that transcends the concept of bricks and mortar. The emotional component comes to the fore in the waterfront space with buyers seeking a distinctive way of life, a real connection with the water, and a chance to create lasting memories.
“A large proportion of the waterfront properties we bring to the market have been held across generations and while there’s a bittersweet element in relinquishing these legacy assets, buyers are lining up to acquire them.”
Acknowledging that the feel-good factor of owning a place by the water is priceless, Sinclair says the waterfront market also demonstrates pragmatic substance with Bayleys’ analysis of Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) data showing both the average sale price and price premium for waterfront properties increased over the 12-month period ended March 31, 2025.
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“An analysis of repeat sales of coastal, harbour, river and lakefront properties waterfront properties shows values have also typically outrun the wider residential market from a capital gain perspective over the last decade.
“This illustrates the long-term value buyers place on waterfront living driven by scarcity, lifestyle factors, and investment potential.”
16 Grant Street in Mahurangi East, Rodney, is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a 493sqm floor plan on a 2375sqm site. It is for sale by negotiation. Photo / Supplied
113 Karewa Parade in Papamoa, Tauranga, is for sale by negotiation. The beach house four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Photo / Supplied
Sinclair says New Zealand’s reputation as a safe haven and the relative affordability of our waterfront assets when viewed through an international lens, continues to drive offshore interest in property here.
“The expat market is rallying for property near the water with nostalgia playing a big part as they look to future-proof their lifestyle, and resulting in an uptick in enquiry and transactional activity.”
Sinclair notes that current global economic and political uncertainty has only escalated attention from offshore buyers more broadly and from the US particularly, and enquiry has been further fuelled by recent Government announcements around investment policy settings.
187E Te Akau Road in Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua, goes to auction on November 11. Photo / Supplied
465 Otaha Road in Kerikeri, Far North, is a 65ha lifestyle block with an asking price of $7.5m. Photo / Supplied
“New residence visa pathways, and the associated relaxed foreign buyer ban at the upper end of the market signals that we are open to the world – albeit with requisite sensitive land thresholds still in play to keep the buyer bar relatively high.
“Through Bayleys’ strategic partnerships with McGrath Estate Agents in Australia and Knight Frank globally, we are opening doors to international buyers who have a passion for these shores.”
Bayleys has published its flagship annual Waterfront portfolio for 32 years, and the latest edition includes properties encompassing bare land sites, sophisticated executive-style residences, luxury holiday homes, coastal farm blocks, quintessential Kiwi baches and resort-aligned tropical island villas.
14 Bay View Terrace in Tairua, Thames-Coromandel, is an architecturally-designed home on the water. It is for sale for $3.95m. Photo / Supplied
13 Loop Road in Kelvin Heights, Queenstown, overlooks Lake Wakatipu and is for sale by negotiation. Photo / Supplied
“The style, scale, and advantages these waterfront assets boast are as varied as the locations they sit in across New Zealand, Australia and Fiji,” says Sinclair.
“Every year we’re awed by the range of properties that we profile in Waterfront, but they always have one thing in common – they’re aspirational.
“One person’s dream will be a home with all the bells and whistles where they can live permanently, while the next will be for a modest bach with a bit of lawn for family and friends to pitch a tent at New Year.
“As New Zealanders, being near the water will always have a place in our sentimental collective hearts as a symbolic representation of simpler times and what holiday memories are made of.”
- Sponsored by Bayleys
