Exclusive hideaway attracts few bidders

One of the biggest, most exclusive Bay of Islands properties near the waterfront failed to sell when it was auctioned in Auckland this week.

Bayleys offered a huge slice of Mataka Station, a subdivided rural property on the Purerua Peninsula, outside Kerikeri north of Waitangi.

For some years, multimillionaires have been selling parts of the coastal block on the historic headland north of Paihia. Mataka, neighbouring Peter Cooper's subdivision Mountain Landing, is virtually surrounded by sea and has many private, white-sand, pohutukawa-fringed beaches.

The station is also home to the historic Marsden Cross, which marks the site of the first Christian sermon to be delivered in this country after the landing on Christmas Day in 1814 by the Rev Samuel Marsden.

Calls in 1999 for the Government to buy the farm failed when it was put on the market by evangelist Bill Subritzky, who had opened it up for Youth for Christ camps for 15 years.

Bill Birnie, a $100 million rich-lister, and barrister associate Evan Williams have been selling parts as luxury hideaways for the conservation-minded wealthy. They also have Living Nature, an organic cosmetics business.

To read the full NZ Herald article click here

Posted: 14 Feb 2009

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