Tairua: Awesome

Talk about opportunity! The developers will be flocking ... By CEDRIC GRAY.

Easy hill country about 2km south of Tairua on the Coromandel peninsula could provide the next stage in rural residential development on the peninsula's east coast. The 46.8258ha property is owned by Mark Ofsoske, who also owns a Paeroa farm. He describes the property, at 3327 Tairua Rd on SH25, as a developer's dream and is asking more than $5 million for it.

Because the demand for coastal land within easy reach of Auckland has never been greater, Mark's description is understandable. Adding weight to his opinion is the fact that Tairua and nearby Pauanui share a galaxy of outdoor attractions - fishing, boating, surfing and golf among them. The hinterland is challenging tramping and hunting country.

The property has grandstand views to the twin resorts and across the estuary to Paku mountain, the sentinel, according to Maori folklore, which guards the harbour entrance. There are views, too, of the Alderman islands. When subdivided - and the land has rural-residential zoning for subdivision into 2ha lots - almost every lot will share the views.

"There are any amount of elevated building sites," says Mark, who bought the property about 10 years ago.

He has used the land for grazing replacement dairy cattle. It is easy hill country with some steeper sidlings, rising from just above sea level on the highway boundary to the highest point at 85m. The pasture is strong and the fencing on about 16 paddocks is excellent, Mark having spent $100,000 on new fencing in the last few years.

There is ample water from several springs on the property - and from a spectacular waterfall, which has created a crystal clear swimming hole in the northern corner of the farm. A large bush reserve with splendid specimens of kauri and rimu add to the beauty. Several kauri also enhance the beauty of the farm.

Another feature for those with a nostalgic bent is the historic St Mary's Catholic Church, believed to have been built in Tairua in the 1890s. "I acted on a whim, saved it from destruction and it now it looks over Tairua," says Mark.

The original homestead, also built more than 100 years ago, has been extensively renovated and enlarged. There are five bedrooms, large open-plan living areas that capture the magnificent views and two bathrooms. A feature of the interior is the use of redwood panelling and macrocarpa ceilings, the timber having been milled from Mark's Paeroa farm.

An extensive orchard and three five-bay, half-round haysheds are near the house.

The property is being marketed by Harveys, Manurewa, where Debbie Hotene, ph 266 6400, has details.