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Kerikeri’s Growing Pains

Better Planning Needed to Keep Up with Growth

Apr 09, 2019

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It's official,  our little town of Kerikeri is growing up.

There is unprecedented growth happening all over town right now, and lots of growth locked in for the coming years. Big players like Mitre 10 and Rebel Sport have anchored themselves here, and commercial buildings are also being built, including the construction on the corner of Hobson Avenue and a nearby childcare centre at the intersection of Kerikeri Road and Aranga Road.

Numerous subdivisions on Inlet and Riverview Roads and Rangitane River Park are well underway and the Arvida Group retirement complex planned for Hall Road is significant.

More and more people are coming to realise what we’ve known for ages, that Kerikeri is a fantastic place to live.

Not only do we have access to the stunning Bay of Islands, we have buzzing weekend markets, an array of eateries and amazing Kerikeri and region cultural and historical assets, like the Turner Centre, the Stone Store and Mission House, Waitangi and Waimate North.

This development brings the creation of new jobs in key industries, retirement ventures, tourism, horticulture and construction, all the while increasing the population.

It’s an exciting time for the area but our infrastructure needs to keep up.

We know Kerikeri spreads out further than the roundabout at State Highway 10 and the Waipapa bypass junction. Kerikeri and its surrounds extend north to Takou Bay, south to Haruru and includes Waimate North, Rangitane, Doves Bay, Opito Bay and Te Tii.

It’s more realistic to say the population of Kerikeri is now around 15,000 - a far cry from the static 6000 to 7400 figures touted by local government and Statistics New Zealand.

We know that because we listen to locals, understand the area and have been monitoring net population increases from our own sales figures. There is clearly an increasing number of people using services in town: the roads, footpaths, toilets, rubbish bins, parking and other infrastructure.

It’s important that our community and local government share a common vision around that and plan for this growth.

We’re not alone in thinking this. A public meeting organised by ‘Our Kerikeri’ at the Turner Centre on March 12 saw more than 320 people turn out to have their say on the town’s future.

Common themes were after-hours medical care, upgrading the Kerikeri 

Domain, preserving and creating more green spaces, having more footpaths, cycle ways, addressing traffic congestion and having better access to local beaches.

REAL owner Vince Buxton was there and was so impressed at the passion and foresight of those who attended he joined the leadership team. “This is a real opportunity for our community to have a say in the vision of what our town looks and feels like for future generations and I encourage everyone to participate.” Says Vince. We’ll keep you posted on progress - there’s no doubt it’s an exciting time for our town!

Turning to market news, Northland property values continue to rise according to the first One Roof Property Report for 2019. The figures point to a softening in New Zealand’s biggest market – Auckland – and the scope for growth in smaller urban markets.

That’s good news for those living further north too.

Although sales volumes for Kerikeri are down from the same time last year following the national trend there is a steady stream of people moving to the region. Obviously the area continues to be popular with many out-of-towners, including Aucklanders, who rightly see it as a desirable place to live.

Investors can still grab above average yields up here and there are still plenty of options for first home buyers and those struggling to get on the property ladder. Though we know there’s no crystal ball when it comes to real estate and the right time to buy, our advice is that if you find the right property, it’s always the right time to buy.

We know this town and this region. We welcome discussions with interested visitors who may consider moving to this lovely part of New Zealand.  Our knowledge is Real and so is our service.