It has been a busy and productive time at Paewhenua over the past seven months.

Stage 2 Subdivision

The work on the Stage 2 sites is complete and titles are ready to issue.The main contractors, Mc Breen Jenkins, did a great job and the quality of their work is a credit to Gareth Oien and his team who went the extra mile to meet our needs and requests. Other upgrading work was also undertaken to a very high standard.

With the natives in the covenanted bush areas bordering the sites flourishing after being planted several years ago and the entranceways to the sites as well as the main access road being sealed, the area looks attractive and generally well established.

Variation to Resource Consent – New Design Guidelines

After negotiations with the Far North District Council over several months, the Council recently approved a Variation to the island’s Subdivision Resource Consent to clarify and simplify the applicable building criteria for owners. A summary of the relevant rules is contained in the Revised Design Guidelines (which are available for downloading in the details section of this website). A feature of the new rules is the establishment of building restriction areas where appropriate on the Stage II sites in order to preserve views from other sites. (as shown on the DJ Scott Associates Ltd plan also available for downloading in the Details section of the website). For any queries or information regarding the Guidelines please contact Russell Green – russellgreen@xtra.co.nz or 021 644 815.

Stage I Developer Specials – Vendor Finance at 4.9%

In recognition of the recent downturn in the general real estate market and the ongoing high interest rates we are offering the last two sites in Stage I at discounted prices and if required with vendor Finance for 3 years at 4.9%. Further details are contained in the details section of the website.

Stage 2 Sales

The Stage 2 sites available for sale are also listed in the details section – the developer is prepared to negotiate appropriate terms and conditions to suit a Purchaser.

Design and Build Packages

Over the coming months the Developer will have Design and Build packages available for selected Stage 2 sites,

Managed Rentals

Future absentee owners will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the established up market self drive tourist market by contracting with the Developer to undertake managed rentals on their behalf.

Vineyard

Doug Foster, our new Vineyard Manager, is from a well known local family and was pleased to return to the area with his wife Karen and three boys (including twins born last August). Most recently the vineyard manager for St Nesbit Wines in Karaka and previously with De Redcliffe Wines/ Hotel du Vin he brings the expertise and experience we needed and has had a long association with our viticulturist, Allan Clarke. He also has the additional responsibility for on site liaison on our behalf and has been kept very busy since arriving in December.

Butterfish Bay Wines

Good news – we have harvested our first grapes for the production of our wine under the “Butterfish Bay” label.

Our contract winemaker, Jen Bound of Manaia Wines, is currently processing our 2008 vintage wine in her Kaitaia winery. We were able to negotiate our way through the unstable late summer weather in Northland created by the La Nina weather pattern to pick an exciting crop of Pinot Gris, Viognier, Cabernet Franc and Tannat grapes. We also elected to pick the Syrah for a nice Rose.

The whites – Pinto Gris and Viognier together with the Rose will be on the market for the first time later in 2008, the Cabernet Franc and Tannat will follow a year later.

The objective in the vineyard has been to produce high quality wine with the emphasis on quality as opposed to yield. Judging by the initial tastings of the wine in the tank we are on track to meet this objective.

Further details regarding the availability of the wine will be advised but in the meantime any queries should be directed to Russell Green - russellgreen@xtra.co.nz or 021 644 815.

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