Owner forced to sell slice of Motiti

A120-hectare slice of Motiti Island is on the market under mortgagee tender conditions as financiers call time on the property's owner.

Bayleys Tauranga is marketing the farm land, held in two titles, on instruction from the mortgagee.

The property had only ever been in the ownership of two families.

Bayleys' salesperson Phil Mangos said while Motiti was still largely undeveloped and had a resident population of about 40, the island 10km off the Bay of Plenty coastline had the potential to become "the Waiheke of the Bay of Plenty".

"The residents like the status quo and the island does have cultural significance to Bay of Plenty people," Mr Mangos said.

"However, life moves on and given the finite nature of accessible coastal land in the wider Bay of Plenty, Motiti Island could become like Waiheke in the future.

"It's a quick commute by plane or private boat from the Bay of Plenty coastline."

The farm land up for sale is at the southern end of Motiti and is of flat to easy-rolling contour. There is a sandy beach on the western side which is suitable for mooring boats, and a rocky shoreline on the eastern side.

Mr Mangos said the island was renowned for great fishing - especially snapper.

"The International Game Fishing Association's heaviest official catch is a 17.2kg snapper caught at Motiti Island in 1992, by Mark Hemingway."

Most of the property had been used to raise and graze Simmental cattle, while 14ha was planted in established avocado trees of varying ages, he said.

"We have been unable to get an assessment on the returns from the avocado-growing component of the property. However, given the age of the trees and based on industry averages outlined by the NZ Avocado Growers' Association, production could be anywhere between 10 to 15 tonnes per hectare," he said. The micro-climate on the island is conducive to excellent fruit as evidenced by other avocado blocks on Motiti.

"Other growers on Motiti pick their crop as early as June so the produce hits the market ahead of mainland Bay of Plenty crops."

While there were no dwellings on either block, Mangos said there were some ideal building sites and an airstrip on the property.

Motiti is classified as a territorial authority and comes under governance from the Minister of Local Government.

"There are no rates to pay on this land," Mr Mangos said.

"Services are somewhat limited on the island with power from generators or by way of solar energy - but that adds to its charm."

Tenders close with Bayleys Tauranga on April 30.