So many different factors come into play when deciding on where to buy a property that it’s always best to seek advice from those with first-hand knowledge. With this in mind we’ve consulted a number of experts in New Zealand and Australia to glean inside information on each country and its respective property market. Starting with New Zealand, Jane Guy, managing director of Premium Real Estate Group, says,
“Once considered a far-flung destination for adventure seekers, modern New Zealand has become an idyllic destination, the perfect panacea for life in a globalised world. A visit to New Zealand’s biggest city, Auckland, gives first time visitors a glimpse of a lifestyle based around the shimmering Waitemata Harbour and its easily accessed islands.
“With beautiful city beaches, exquisite dining and unparalleled vineyards, the Auckland region also offers some of the world’s best kept property secrets. Stretching from the truly remarkable North Shore of Auckland City to the stunning northern beaches of Omaha, Waipu and Langs, you will find premium, luxury properties, all of them a world away from hectic northern hemisphere living.”
With a traditional focus on large parcels of land and equally sized homes, New Zealand offers a wide range of high-end properties to suit all tastes.
“The surge in high-end properties has placed New Zealand at the top of the desirability list,”
explains Ms Guy.
“Buyers of New Zealand property include self-made entrepreneurs to captains of industry, from tech titans to those wanting a safe place to raise children. It’s important to understand the open nature of the local property market, with no capital gains tax, no stamp duty or wealth tax. New Zealand welcomes overseas investment in its residential market and buyers will often comment on how ‘undervalued property is.”
The head of New Zealand real estate agency Bayleys, Mike Bayley, agrees that the country offers a wide range of options – from penthouse suites within waterfront apartments close to the CBD of its largest cities through to remote lodges located within unspoilt forests, lakes, and alpine regions.
“The luxury end of the New Zealand residential property market put in a strong performance in 2015,” he reports,
“with the country’s largest city and ‘economic powerhouse’, Auckland, leading the way. “The luxury residential property market has been underpinned by the fact that New Zealand, as a country, and Auckland as a city, now rank amongst the most desirable places in the world to live. In 2015, more than 1,380 residential properties sold for values of $2 million or more. Of these, approximately 92% were located in Auckland, with the city’s waterfront and central city-fringe suburbs such as Herne Bay, Remuera, St Mary’s Bay, and Mission Bay being particularly sought-after. The city’s North Shore coastal suburbs also command high values.”
Outside of Auckland, New Zealand’s lifestyle centres attract the highest proportion of top-end buyers. The Central Otago Lakes region in the centre of the South Island with its alpine scenery and global reputation as an adventure sports holiday location have made its largest centre, Queenstown, a highly sought-
after destination.
“Elsewhere in the country purchasers have a wide range of high-end property choices from waterfront property in the country’s sub-tropical north, to being surrounded by vineyards in Hawke’s Bay or Marlborough. Given the economic and geo-political problems which much of the world currently faces, it is highly likely that New Zealand’s considerable appeal as a stable sovereign nation will increase.”
(Above) Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand
Grand residences such as this on large land holdings in the heart of Auckland City rarely come on to the market. Next door to Government House, this turn of the century, Georgian style home is on a 3,108m² plot of flat land. It offers multiple living rooms including a grand ballroom/entertainment room, formal lounge, casual family living and children’s playroom above the three-car garage. It also has five bedrooms, a large study, four bathrooms and powder room access off a spacious gallery hallway. An additional self-contained, two-bedroom apartment is ideal as a family/guest or au pair wing.
£4.8m / €6m / $6.8m
Bayleys +64 9 375 6820
gary.wallace@bayleys.co.nz
Milford, New Zealand
Built just two years ago to a high specification, this beachfront home on 582m² of land offers superb coastal views from its picture windows. There are five bedrooms and four bathrooms, cleverly laid out to offer the option of a self-contained (granny or nanny) area downstairs. The master flows to the extremely private front garden where the gentle sound of the sea can be enjoyed all day long. The main open plan living area includes a family room and lounge, while outside is a swimming pool and two-car garage.
Over £3.28m / €4.17m / $4.62m
Barfoot & Thompson +64 9 307 6300
Birkenhead Point, Auckland
Beautiful, secluded heritage property just a stroll away from the harbour ferry, restaurants and shops. The grand and elegant property provides plenty of space for celebrations – on the expansive 1,510m² lawn, in the ballroom-sized drawing room or around the massive bench in the family area. Recently renovated for modern living, the home remains full of superb original character. There are four big bedrooms plus a third living area or, alternatively, fifth bedroom off the master suite which offers panoramic harbour/city views. An internal double garage and masses of secure parking is also included.
£1.92 / €2.39 / $2.71
Premium Real Estate +64 9 480 0209
TrishLove@premium.co.nz
Takapuna, New Zealand
Château en Bord de Mer offers privacy and a refined lifestyle that is relaxed, yet elegant and timeless. Overlooking the ocean and surrounding coastline, this exquisite 1,730m² home is on 4,022m² of private landscaped gardens. It has been crafted by skilled artisans and features traditional materials to ensure that the design has a lasting appeal. The property includes state-of-the-art security, marble bathrooms, imported chandeliers, Swedish solar heating, a swimming pool and cabana and garaging for eight vehicles.
£16.2m / €20.84m / $23.2m
Premium Real Estate +64 9 916 6000
JimMays@premium.co.nz
Australia’s Appeal
Sydney is a global city, and the largest capital city in Australia. Home to four of the five wealthiest regions in Australia, it has an internationally recognised luxury residential market. Shayne Harris, Savills Luxury Residential, notes that Sydney’s luxury residential market and off-the-plan market is primarily being driven by international demand and, more specifically, Asian demand. With its close ties to Asia for business, together with personal investment, the wider benefits such as education and migration make Sydney as a place to live and work just as compelling.
“Sydney’s recent population figures have also served to highlight the existing shortfalls in its housing supply, where the undersupply gap continues to grow,”
says Mr Harris.
“According to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, population projections show that NSW will grow by 100,500 people on average each year to 2031. Government statistics predict that Sydney will need to create an additional 623,850 households over the next 25 years, just to keep up with population influx.”
Forecasts predict that Sydney is falling well below its annual target, and Mr Harris believes that the limited additional supply will see prices in the foreseeable future being pushed upwards, for both renting and purchasing. With a critical short supply of housing, record immigration levels, lowest interest rates on record and bucket loads of first time buyers, there is a vital need for more housing. Nigel Napoli, Savills director of residential projects, says,
“Sydney’s residential market has experienced a critical short supply of homes for many years which has resulted in property developers seeking obsolete commercial buildings to convert into apartments. There has been talk of an oversupply in the Sydney market for some time but, when population growth far exceeds the number of homes being built, it doesn’t stand to reason that there will be an oversupply.”
Mr Napoli is confident that when launching a new development, if it is in the right location, has the right blend of property types, and quality fixtures and fittings, buyers will queue to get their first choice. Interestingly, in Sydney it appears that the smaller boutique apartments are selling extremely well.
“Downsizers and empty nesters are seeking the smaller boutique developments,”
adds Ged Rockliff, head of Savills Residential.
“They want the convenience of the proximity to the CBD, theatres, restaurants and transport together with village style living. They love the idea of boutique style apartments that provide a sense of living within a community, without having to compromise on style or design.”
Kevin Fine at Fine & Country Australia provides further insight, reporting that Sydney’s prestige property market has experienced decent growth over the last few years with the most expensive homes having increased in value by 11% in the last 12 months alone. Melbourne’s prime property prices also rose 8.5%, still well above the global average of 2%.
“Asian buyers were a force to be reckoned with in the Sydney prestige market during 2015, snapping up properties in Killara, Point Piper, Mosman and Kangaroo Point,”
says Mr Fine.
“With the Australian dollar dropping last year this seemed to be a driving factor behind the prestige market performing so well, largely driven by overseas investors. Sydney’s significant investment visa, which, since it was introduced in 2012, has seen 90% of its applicants come from China.”
In the last decade, Australia gained 22,200 high net worth individuals, a growth rate of 14%. With Sydney having the world’s fourth fastest-growing rate of incoming wealthy migrants. Tim Lawless, head researcher at RP Data, comments that from January 2009 through to January 2015, Sydney home values have increased by 57%. This research also predicts that Australia’s most expensive homes are likely to rise in price by 10-15% this year as wealthy locals and overseas buyers hunt for prestigious addresses in a resilient economy.
Elaine, New South Wales, Australia
Acclaimed as Australia’s finest property, Elaine estate is situated around three miles from the city centre on 1.7 acres with approximately 143-foot frontage on Seven Shillings Beach. Erected in 1863 in the grand Victorian mansion style, Elaine’s ballroom, numerous balconies with stunning Sydney Harbour views, and rolling gardens have played host to a bevy of important guests across four generations of ownership by one of Australia’s greatest media families. Currently comprising seven bedrooms, the estate offers the flexibility of a magnificent family compound to potential luxury apartment development.
£39.58 / €50.38m / $55.83m – £42.21m / €53.7m / $59.55m
Christie’s International Real Estate +61 2 9328 1422
Parkside City Penthouse, Sydney, Australia
Overlooking the Opera House and Sydney Harbour, this stunning penthouse is one of the world famous Renzo Piano designed Macquarie apartments. Covering three levels and some 680m² of indoor, outdoor and terrace living, it has a flexible floorplan with a multitude of both formal and casual living areas with spectacular views. Amenities include 24-hour concierge, a gym, pool, sauna and steam room, while a four-car garage is located in the basement.
£4.25m / €5.38m / $6m
Savills +61 (0)411 853 406
mschiller@savills.com.au
Mandalay House, The Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia
This Mediterranean style mansion complete with marina and helipad is on the best ocean front land on the east coast of Mandalay Point. Situated in such a way, it is completely private and secure yet with access by land, sea and air. Mandalay House has a total of 2,649m² of living space which includes six king sized bedrooms with marble en suites, nine bathrooms including en suites and a palatial master bedroom covering 144m² with lounge room and separate walk-in dressing room. Other features are formal dining room, media room, large kitchen, maid’s rooms, a wine cellar, cinema and pool room, gym, lift for all floors and a six-car garage.
£10.42m / €13.32m / $15m
Aylesford International +44 (0)20 7351 2383
Clareville Beach, Australia
This character filled home offers a relaxed beachside lifestyle with easy access to the water. There is an abundance of accommodation with flexible options; waterfront facilities, an established exotic garden and extensive use of glass that captures the uninterrupted views of the Pittwater foreshore. Set across a 1,120m² parcel of land, the waterfront swimming pool and Jacuzzi are merely steps away from the boathouse, registered berth, private jetty and slipway. The property includes a separate study plus four oversized bedrooms, four bathrooms including two en suites. Its oversized master retreat on the lower level offers a separate full size lounge area with a large en suite and spa bath.
£3.96m / €5.04m / $5.58m
Fine & Country Sydney Double Bay + 61 1300 960 037
Paddington, New South Wales, Australia
Steeped in history, the original hall at the former St John’s Church has been transformed into two exclusive town homes. Town Home One has been recently completed to the highest standard and is set over three levels. The original stained glass windows are the focal point throughout, while original sandstone walls feature around the entire home. Made for entertaining, bi-fold doors open on to sunlit courtyards set over two levels, while the private glass lift allows for easy access. The kitchen is a gourmet chef’s dream and flows to the living and dining zones. Three bedrooms and a study are also included.
£2.64m / €3.4m / $3.8m – £2.9m / €3.7m / $4.2m
Savills +61 (0)41488 3000
RELAX
At the heart of The Star entertainment complex in Sydney, The Darling’s day spa includes an exclusive suite for couples and two Moroccan Hamman chambers. It offers a full range of treatments including skincare, facials, massage wellness, body treatments and many other head to toe spa indulgences. Trained and skilled therapists give each client a thorough skin analysis before advising on the most suitable facial to leave their complexion looking its best. The Darling Spa uses La Prairie, the Swiss beauty brand revered for its range of powerful anti-ageing products. A range of effective treatments is also dedicated to men to de-stress the body, rejuvenate the skin and calm the mind. The spa can also provide in-room treatments on selected massages. Clients are encouraged to get the most out their spa time before or after their treatments by making use of two relaxation rooms. These are the Zen Lounge and the Tea Room, as well as the Moroccan Hammam. They will also have access to a beautiful outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, located on Level 5 of The Darling hotel. Luxurious changing room facilities are provided, fully equipped with lockers, robes, slippers, towels, and hair and body products.
www.thedarling.com.au
