KEY POINTS:
It's the ultimate des-res for those wanting to get away from it all.
A cool $40 million will buy you your own island paradise, far away from prying eyes.
It's a purchase popular with the Hollywood A-list - Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicolas Cage and Brad Pitt all own one
- and there are plenty of opportunties for New Zealand's most wealthy to follow suit.
Pakatoa Island, 24ha of isolation 3km off the southeast tip of Waiheke, could be yours for $40 million.
It comes complete with a 62-unit resort, squash courts, golf course, private jetty and three sandy beaches.
If that's too expensive, 61ha Puangiangi Island in the pristine waters of the Marlborough Sounds is up for grabs at just $5m. Of course the price tag reflects the lack of amenities compared with Pakatoa.
Bayleys' listing says Puangiangi comes with a "45-year-old bach-type dwelling" and "two beaches for swimming or boating".
It's being offered by mystery South Island owners, who bought it in 2004 for an undisclosed sum and used it as a private retreat. Before that the island was owned and farmed by Sounds identity Ross Webber, who lived on the remote rock accessible only by boat or a 30-minute helicopter trip from Wellington or Nelson.
If you don't fancy a whole island, you can buy part of Roberton Island, in the Bay of Islands, for $2.5m.
That will buy you two-bedroom, two-bathroom Cooks Cottage on 0.4ha of land and a fifth of the island's common land. Publicly available for the first time in more than 20 years, it comes with all utilities and a caretaker.
Puangiangi has been on the market for a matter of weeks - much less than Pakatoa which has had no takers for three years. "We have had many interested parties," said Bayleys Waiheke agent Sherryn El Bakary. "A Kiwi family have owned it for 15 years but haven't run it as a resort since 2000. There are many Kiwis coming back from overseas who can afford it."
Strict rules mean foreigners need permission from the Overseas Investment Office before buying any land on most offshore islands.
Neither they nor the Department of Conservation keep a record of who owns what.
Manager of DoC's terrestrial conservation unit, Allan Ross, said he could understand the islands' appeal. They were remote, had mild temperatures and developed unique eco-systems with unusual flora and fauna.
"Islands tend to create an environment that is special and gives a different perspective on life."
Ross said many owners worked closely with DoC because they were keen to maintain New Zealand's clean, green image.
Some have created DoC-managed reserves on their property, such as on Kapiti Island, off Paraparaumu, north of Wellington.
"Kiwis are passionate about wildlife. Our islands reflect that attitude. It does stem from New Zealanders coming from a green country."
There is one major drawback to island life - it's tough popping to the dairy for a loaf of bread.
Liz Needham's father bought 224ha Slipper Island, 6km off the coast of Pauanui, to farm 50 years ago and her family now runs it as a resort in the summer months.
"It's like living on Stewart Island," Needham said.
"Everything costs double but it has a great lot of charm."
According to a general revaluation last May, Slipper Island's capital value is $5,775,000. And it presents a great opportunity for those unable to afford an island of their own.
Two residential lots are up for sale, with the much more affordable pricetags of $495,000 for 4871sq m and $850,000 for 1.3ha.
Just make sure you have enough left over to buy a boat.
Hideaway islands of the high rollers
Luxury cars, a private plane, diamond-encrusted bling and a string of homes used to be enough for multimillionaire high rollers.
But the tide has changed and the ultimate status symbol for the ultra-wealthy is a tropical island.
Leonardo DiCaprio co-owns Blackdore Caye, an island near the Belize Barrier Reef in Central America.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, own a man-made island in Dubai where their neighbours will include Richard Branson and Rod Stewart.
Branson owns two other islands, including the world's most expensive resort, Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. He bought the island more than 25 years ago and charges up to $67,000 a night for 26 people. When there is not an exclusive booking couples can stay for from $32,000 a week.
The airline and music mogul also owns Makepeace Island, near Noosa in Australia.
Mel Gibson bought Mago Island in Fiji's Lau group for $21m in 2004 as a private hideaway. It comes completes with two lagoons and an eight-lane bowling alley.
The Bahamas are a favourite spot for the rich and famous, especially the Exuma chain.
Magician David Copperfield owns Musha Cay, while Johnny Depp reportedly paid $4.4m for 14ha Little Halls Pond Cay after he fell in love with it filming Pirates of the Caribbean II and III.
Nicolas Cage spent a reported $3m on his 16ha getaway and other celebrities to jump on the Bahamian bangwagon include country music stars Faith Hill and husband Tim McGraw and musician Lenny Kravitz.
