According to data from Quotable Value, the average house price in Auckland was $1.2 million at the end of January. While buying a home in New Zealand’s biggest city becomes increasingly unattainable, smaller towns around the country are seeing significant growth as house hunters opt for a more affordable, more relaxed lifestyle.
Parua Bay on the outskirts of Whangārei is one Northland settlement that’s enjoying strong growth off the back of comparatively affordable prices. In November 2020, Northland’s median house price was $589,000.
Ray White Whangārei agent Charlie George, who is marketing a significant site with commercial potential at 20 Lamb Road, Parua Bay, says there are plenty of reasons why Parua Bay is seeing an upward trend.
“10 years ago, Parua Bay was home to mostly baches,” he says. “These days, people live there permanently. It’s coastal, it has great fishing and water activities, and it offers locals the kind of lifestyle most people can only dream of.
Start your property search
“Parua Bay school is one of the best in the Whangārei region, which is attracting more young families to the area. And because Parua Bay is only 20 minutes from Whangārei, more and more people are choosing to live out where the lifestyle suits them, while remaining close enough to drive to work every day.”
The site backs on to the existing Parua Bay shopping centre which services the entire Whangārei Heads. Photo / Supplied
After recent zoning changes, Parua Bay is now designated as a future grown sector for the Whangārei area.
Agent Charlie George says the site at Lamb Road is now zoned Rural Village Centre Sub-Zone in the operative and proposed Whangārei District Plan (WDP). At just over one hectare, it backs onto the current Parua Bay shopping centre which features a Four Square, liquor store, café and kindergarten, and has access to reticulated water and wastewater lines.
As the neighbourhood expands, George says the rezoning could equal a significant expansion in business too.
“The Parua Bay shops are actually the main shopping precinct for all of Whangārei Heads, despite being pretty small. 20 Lamb Road is key to expanding the local community shopping centre. As the area grows there’s a lot of potential to add more services and serve the community.”
The site gives potential developers options to subdivide, with a minimum lot size of 100 sqm where lots are connected to a reticulated wastewater system.
“Locals would love to see this site service the community and help with the area’s growth,” says George, himself a local resident. “Hopefully someone can see the potential the site offers and use it as an opportunity to provide more services, boost local employment, and make the area even more attractive.” 20 Lamb Road, Parua Bay will be sold at auction on May 5.
Check out the listing below:
