Paoanui Point development section at Pourerere Beach, Central Hawke's Bay. Photo / Supplied
Paoanui Point development section at Pourerere Beach, Central Hawke's Bay. Photo / Supplied
Hawke's Bay's southernmost beaches are for many holidaymakers and daytrippers the last bastion of regional remoteness.
But a generation realising that working from anywhere is an option, and the eye-watering cost of coastal property further up the coast, is turning the tide quickly towards a property boom.
Pourerere, Blackhead andPorangahau Beach are all generating significant interest from buyers, Quotable Value's general manager David Nagel said, as buyers look further afield for their dream investment.
"Coastal properties with a view, in areas such as Porangahau, Blackhead and Pourerere Beach, are selling well," he said.
"I think it's positive that people are thinking more 'outside the box' to get on the property ladder."
From Hastings the drive to Pourerere Beach, which is east of Waipukurau, is about 78km and just over an hour's drive.
Porangahau is slightly further away, 97km from Hastings, with the drive taking just over an hour and a quarter.
Developments like Paoanui Point - the first of its kind under way at Pourerere Beach in Hawke's Bay - will help bolster supply levels for coastal property hunters.
Paoanui Point developer James Bridge said there's been a huge amount of interest in the project.
"We've had enquiries in the hundreds," he said.
Pourere beach is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, fishing and diving. Photo / Supplied
"There's only so much coastal farmland available in Hawke's Bay - they're certainly not making any more of it so people are taking up these opportunities."
There are a total of 20 sites available and those interested have until Thursday to put an offer in on the first five for a deadline sale, if not sold prior.
Bridge said the popular beach is an appealing spot for surfers, swimmers, sunseekers and fishers and is actually at a level that is palatable, especially to those with younger families wanting to set up a beach lifestyle.
"It's equally as good a beach as Waimarama and you're not paying the huge money like you are around the rest of the country," he said. Waimarama now has a median average house price of more than $1 million.
"When you get out to Paoanui Point you can see the real charm of the spot. It's secluded and has its own private beach access – it's got a lot going for it."
Summer in Hawke's Bay attracts many people to the beach, making some beachside destinations less peaceful than some anticipate.
"The position of our development is completely private, some people really enjoy that," he said.
Nagel said the reason for the surge in demand for beach houses is because Kiwis are fascinated by the sea; "We want to be near it even if we can't see it and touch it.
He added that being able to work from home has created a work-life balance that offers new choices for where people can live.
"That certainly is helping the coastal markets," Nagel said.
REINZ chief executive Bindi Norwell said as well as a migration to the beach many New Zealanders are moving away from big cities to provincial places, like Hawke's Bay.
"Since lockdown we have seen a definite shift towards 'lifestyle properties'," she said.
Norwell said Covid-19 has changed buying behaviour and given people the opportunity to live further afield, have the lifestyle with more space they've always dreamed of and be able to work from home.
