Hurakia Lodge on Rakino Island has 300 degree views of the Hauraki Gulf. Photo / Supplied
The luxurious Hurakia Lodge on Rakino Island has been placed on the market for sale.
The sprawling lodge captures 300 degree views of the Hauraki Gulf and, being just a five-minute helicopter ride from the Auckland CBD, it's superbly positioned to pamper wealthy guests.
The freehold property is owned by Australian-based investor John MacCullough, who recently hosted high-brow events on the island, such as filming an episode for America's Next Top Model and The Table Club event for Australian and New Zealand rich-listers. Also, a few years ago he hosted fifth generation tycoon Justin Rockefeller there.
Kiwi-born MacCullough, who these days calls Sydney's eastern suburbs home, spared no expense when he built Hurakia Lodge in 2002.
His island retreat is in the Rural 3 (Rakino Amenity) zone, has vast decks and huge storm proof windows to withstand winds of 250km per hour if necessary.
The lodge has five bedrooms; seven bathrooms; two staff rooms and separate garage and utility areas.
Though now having two titles, further subdivision (into four titles) will provide room for a new house and chattels. Plans for this expansion are now with Auckland Council.
"I guess you could say everything is in place — including deep water moorings, a jetty, pool, golf course, boat ramp and — of course — solar power, with diesel generator back-up," says MacCullough.
"But after 15 years of amazing family holidays and operating the lodge business, it is time to let someone else enjoy this island paradise and occupy the front row seating for the America's Cup defence in 2020/2021.
"I've been lived in Sydney for past eight years, and feel others are now better placed than me to further develop and expand the current operation, so as to meet the well-publicised luxury accommodation shortage in this part of the world," says MacCullough.
Ray White
Ray White Hotels Asia Pacific director Andrew Jolliffe, in partnership with Finn Hurst, director of Ray White Commercial Auckland, are selling Hurakia Lodge via an expressions of interest campaign, closing at 4pm Wednesday May 30.
"This is expected to draw international attention from boutique accommodation operators and wealthy private investors looking to secure a unique island retreat," Jolliffe says.
Having previously sold the likes of boutique hotel Rae's, Byron Bay, and the high-end Wildman Wilderness Lodge in the Northern Territory, he expects interest from, "just about everywhere".
"The amazing proximity to New Zealand's largest city, combined with its ability to offer absolute privacy and exclusivity has already carved out a reputation among premium lodge operators around the world," Jolliffe says.
He sees increasing American interest in such properties, his long list of super-rich clients having already included the likes of philanthropist Julian Robertson and the Jacob Family, who are well known property investors from upstate New York.
"Like many of island locations of its kind, Hurakia Lodge can only be accessed by sea or air — but that's a good thing from the perspective of many people I deal with.
"The construction there of a 70m all-tide jetty has been a game changer — vastly increasing its appeal to the yachting fraternity," he says.
"Plans for its physical expansion are already underway, but equally the lodge can already serve as a residence, or holiday property, for people with both the means and need for utmost privacy, says Jolliffe.
"This is a world-class property in a unparalleled and faultless environment."
Island history."
Notable Rakino Island events:
George Grey purchased the island in 1862, ordering trees and commencing the building of a house in Home Bay, but he lost interest when Kawau Island became available.
• In the 1860s prisoners from the Waikato Wars were brought to the island, some housed in hulks at anchor in the harbour, with a small party on Rakino, where a house and gardening supplies were provided.
• In 1874 commercial fisherman Albert Sanford leased the island from Sir George Grey before buying it. He and his family lived there for nearly 80 years and their family home still stands in Home Bay.
• In 1963 Dr Maxwell Rickard, a clinical psychologist and hypnotherapist, who toured as, "The Great Ricardo" bought the island. Rickard's plans, which included treating disturbed and nervous patients there, establishing an orphanage and a refuge for unmarried mothers and the elderly, came to nothing.
• In 1965 the island was subdivided into 25 blocks of 40,000sq m and 125 smaller pieces of land, which sold for between 2500 and 6000 pounds.