It’s been in her family for over 60 years, so Janet Tatham is understandably sad to be cutting ties with Tatham Estate, an incredible waterside playground situated on the coast between Matakana and Matheson Bay, which was purchased by her late parents, King Country farmers, Dick and Mona, in the early 1960s, for their retirement.
Janet says that the land was “an absolute shambles” when the Tathams first arrived.
“There wasn’t a single fence standing and it was all covered with gorse, weeds and rubbish but my parents went on to develop it very thoughtfully and sustainably and now it’s well cut up into paddocks for cattle.”
The family made additions to the original kauri cottage – where they lived initially – which included building a bathroom. “Before that you had to bath outside – which was nice in summer,” remembers Janet.
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In the early 1970s, a second, very pleasant airy, open-plan home was built and that’s where Janet has lived and farmed for the past 29 years, enjoying the wonderful views across Omaha Beach and nearby Tawharanui Peninsula and swimming regularly in the surrounding rock pools.
14 and 14A Tatham Road in Ti Point, Rodney, Auckland, is on the market for sale by tender closing April 18.
There are two homes on the estate – one being the original kauri cottage and the second was built in the early 1970s. Photo / Supplied
The vendor has enjoyed the views across Omaha Beach and nearby Tawharanui Peninsula. Photo / Supplied
The two freehold titles encompass more than 12 hectares of land and 190 metres of water frontage to Omaha Bay.
14 Tatham Road is the smaller of the two at 2.7ha and includes both dwellings plus garaging and a shed, with two paddocks, while number 14A is 9.7ha, complete with a haybarn, stock and holding yards and nine fenced paddocks.
The original boat ramp is still standing so a wide variety of water sports is therefore on offer, including fishing and snorkelling or setting sail in a dinghy or kayaking.
Now in her 80s, Janet says she’s essentially the “last woman standing”, with her three siblings who each held one of what had been divided into four properties, having divested themselves of their share over the years.
“It’s sad in a way because all of their children and grandchildren have been able to keep coming to Ti Point as long as I’ve been around, but it’s time for me to move on. I just can’t help hoping that somebody will buy 14 and 14A and keep this wonderful spot together as one property.”
The vendor’s parents bought the land, situated between Matakana and Matheson Bay, in the early 1960s for their retirement. Photo / Supplied
Janet is leaving her family landholding with many happy memories and says that she will miss it enormously, but an unexpected upside is that people who knew the property in the past, when the Tathams hosted farm stay visits, have made contact since seeing it advertised and she’s enjoyed catching up with them.
Bayleys agent Kellie Bissett, who is marketing the properties, says there is enormous potential for a new owner to develop a true luxury estate, less than an hour’s drive from Auckland City and adds that the current homes are very liveable, so new owners can stay on-site while changes take place.
“There are very few spots on Auckland’s coastline that can boast of such outstanding natural features and honest beauty. The ocean, the landscape and the privacy form the perfect trifecta for a stunning development.”
- 14 and 14A Tatham Road in Ti Point, Rodney, Auckland, is for sale by tender closing April 18
