Development manager Bernie Chote has already thought out his brief for the perfect house at Kahawai Point, the coastal land he’s developing near Glenbrook, even though it’s not in his foreseeable future.
“But if I were to build here I would be focused on sun and view, with plenty of outdoor decking to maximise the north and west views up the river,” he says. “The roof pitch would be gentle to complement the north-facing slope of the land and I would reference the natural environment with a well-thought out garden to promote birdlife. There’d be plenty of glass to maximise views with solid materials to suit the marine environment. And of course I’d have a dedicated spot for the boat with the requisite fillet bench and a good hose-down facility!”
Bernie’s wishlist probably doesn’t differ much from many of the potential buyers into this unique environment on 65 hectares of classic coastal landscape.
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Kahawai Point enjoys a special location on a peninsula near the southern entrance to the Manukau Harbour and at the junction of the Taihiki and Waiuku rivers. Only a 50-minute drive from downtown Auckland, it has beautiful views of the two rivers and north to Awhitu and the harbour’s headlands.
The development is helping to fulfill the vision of respected Ngati Te Ata leader, the late Tahuna Minhinnick, who inspired the project in its early stages.
“Our masterplan emphasises space as a key to preserving the scenery,” Bernie says. “There’s a five kilometre shoreline walk which blends with stands of 100-year-old pohutukawa, and a new neighbourhood park at Pohutukawa Point.”
Kahawai Point’s location means deep water access will not be a problem at high or low tide and Bernie says this gives it a key point of difference from other coastal settlements on the harbour.
It has also driven Kahawai Point Development Ltd’s plans to establish a marine centre to give boaties access to deep water at all tides on the Manukau Harbour. The centre is thought to be the first of its kind on the harbour and when it’s finished it’ll have berths for up to 100 boats and full marine facilities for fishing and recreational vessels.
The water is a huge drawcard for potential buyers in this village development, Michele Mathieson from Bayleys Real Estate says. “In our residential stage we offered 230 lots and there are only 30 left. They range from 534 square metres to 791 square metres and are priced from $250,000 to $550,000.
“There’s also a large lot development and there are 12 lots here of 1600 square metres to 3000 square metres. They’re priced from $440,000 plus GST and can be further subdivided. This is a new stage and titles are expected in November. “
“We still have sections right on the waterfront and we are north facing, but with a westerly aspect so we see the sunsets. It’s stunning.”
KPDL’s Australian marketing manager is equally impressed. “The day Bernie showed me around Kahawai Point I just found it breathtaking. It seems to me to be an ideal place to buy a holiday house or to retire to, do a bit of fishing or canoeing, or just simply be.”
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