One of our best kept secrets –
Turangi’s ridiculously low property prices –
as exposed in Sunday’s Herald.
What the article does not say and what Aucklanders cannot believe is that Turangi property prices are still about 20% below the peak in 2007 – over ten years ago. Unbelievable compared to nearly every other town in NZ. But, according to SWMBO, (She Who Must Be Obeyed manages everything at TRM) that is all about to change…
When the close proximity to surrounding natural amenities are considered it is even more remarkable. Traditionally the original village of Turangi was established along the banks of the Tongariro River by anglers. Up until 1970’s the main town and local population was based at Tokaanu around the hot thermal pools.
But then in the 1970’s the ‘new’ permanent town of Turangi was developed on the western side of SH1 to provide housing for the hydro scheme. We suggest ‘permanent’ as many of the other hydro towns elsewhere were temporary.
But back then Turangi was planned as a proper permanent town as indicated by the wonderful English deciduous trees and parks and shopping centre etc. i.e. Did you know Turangi was the first town in NZ with underground power reticulation!
An important consideration is that it was designed by the Ministry of Works (Uncle MOW) back then based on their exacting standards rather than to the cheapest price.
As such the spacious layout and parks are far more extensive, having been designed to a much better specification than most other towns. i.e. Even after fifty years, try to find a pot hole in the roads!
That also explains why there are so many vacant shops – which may give a false impression that Turangi is an economic basket case?. At the time about 50 years ago the shopping centre was designed to cater for a population of about 10,000.
Now there are less than 3000 permanent residents with many holiday homes. A retired MOW engineer recently suggested their concerns back then was that Turangi would grow larger than Taupo, as the location and local natural amenities were so much better…
(Image on right of the original Taylor’s Fishing Camp on Taupahi Road – then the main north-south road – with Tongariro River Island Pool beyond. In the 1920’s this was frequented by the ‘gentry’ – led by several Governors General who stayed there regularly to fish the world famous Tongariro River)
Turangi’s future prospects
So what does the future hold for Turangi?
The steadily falling sales of fishing licences in the last decade indicate the demand will not come from trout fishermen. Most anglers usually blame DOC – Department of Conservation are the fishery managers – for the lack of any promotional activity but at the same time they are quietly delighted to have less angler pressure on the river.
So where will the demand come from? Tourists! That is the only industry in Turangi and the future is looking very exciting.
Did you know that in 2017 RAL (Ruapehu Alpine Lifts) are planning the biggest tourism promotional investment in NZ history for Mt. Ruapehu skiing. Their budget is an incredible $100 Million to upgrade all the facilities, install many more snow making machines, expand the ski fields, replace chair-lifts with gondolas, redevelop the kids “Happy Valley” under cover, etc. so they can provide skiing in all weathers from June all though to February. This will make Ruapehu the most popular skiing centre in NZ. Just fantastic.
They are planning holiday package deals with a shuttle bus service from Taupo via Turangi to cater for the huge growing Auckland market and demand from the east coast of Australia. This increased tourist traffic will obviously impact on Turangi. Taupo can cater for all the package tour deals while Turangi will be in hot demand from the FIT market (Free Independent Travellers). So watch this space. Not much will be apparent in 2017 but by 2018 it will be huge…
The other BIG potential growth will undoubtedly be when the T2T (Turangi to Taupo) bike trail is connected. Every other town in NZ where bike trails have been built and connected up with John Key’s vision of a bike trail have experienced high growth in tourist numbers. So far Taupo has missed out as their bike club trails are too remote and too technically difficult for tourists and do not connect with other trails. But the completion of a more ‘cruisy’ tourist trail – the T2T – will change all that. The beautiful location for the trail following SH1 along the shores of Lake Taupo will soon make it the most popular bike trail in NZ.
Not forgetting the Tongariro Crossing – on everyone’s bucket list and by far the most popular one day hike in NZ. Numbers have increased to over 120,000 per annum with up to 3000 per day at peak times. Turangi is by far the most popular place to stay to access the Crossing and the many other tracks throughout the Tongariro and Kaimanawa National Parks.
So watch out for Turangi – the little town that could and should have but hasn’t – until now. Invest now before it is discovered and property prices explode!
We know it is difficult for all you big city folk to even imagine (?) but in small town NZ people still come first and a relaxed happy life style is more important than credibility based on wage levels. It is better than any retirement village concept at much less cost.
It really is Paradise, and I am not even biased at all.
The following short video was originally produced to show prospective guests what they can expect to find in Turangi within a five minute walk of TRM. It encapsulates life in Turangi. How could any other place compete with the corporate box at the footy below?
In case you are tempted? – Bayley’s best local agent is Maurice Heappey. (- this will cost him a bottle of Riesling!) The Herald above only indicated a couple of houses for sale with an average price of $187,750, but there are many more in the town at a lower price range – see following list from Maurice. These prices are quite ridiculous compared to any other location in NZ.
138 Te Rangitautahanga Road – 3 bedrooms on 586 sqm. Asking $119,000.
33 Paekiri Street, 2 bedrooms on 526 sqm. Asking $119,000.
12 Te Aonini Road, 3 bedrooms on 764 sqm. Asking $123,000.
44 Maria Place, 3 bedrooms on 567 sqm. Asking $130,000
62 Patikura Place, 4 bedrooms on 554 sqm. Asking $130,000.
23 Te Takinga Street, 3 bedrooms on 551 sqm. Asking $160,000.
26 Raukura Street, 3 bedrooms on 776 sqm. Asking $160,000.
1 Hirangi Road, 3 bedrooms on 594 sqm. Asking $162,000.
10 Tamakui Grove, 3 bedrooms on 736 sqm. Asking $169,000.
12 Noni Street, 3 bedrooms on 536 sqm. Asking $175,000.
14 Paekitawhiti Street, 3 bedrooms on 866 sqm. Asking $179,000.
19 Te Rewha Street, 4 bedrooms on 640 sqm. Asking $185,000.
42 Puataata Road, 3 bedrooms on 609 sqm. Asking $185,000.
| Mobile: +64 27 277 1674 |
| Office: +64 7 386 8686 |
| maurice.heappey@bayleys.co.nz |