Helena Bay coastal farm heads to auction

A Northland property that has only had two owners in 128 years is now in need of a third, as its current owners step aside having enjoyed 28 summers on its shores.

Rare Helena Bay property spans 76 hectares

Bayleys Whangārei rural salesperson Lin Norris describes 181-183 Ngahau Bay Road as a genuine slice of iconic Northland landscape, capturing hill country pastoral, native bush and of course an exquisite, sheltered bay with good boat access.

“It is a bay that truly lives up to its name, ‘Taiwawe’ translates as ‘always a steady or even tide,’ and that indeed helps make this place extra special.”

Only two owners in 128 years

Its American owners Carter and Diane Clark have owned the 76ha for 28 years, making a ritual summertime migration from their home state of Oregon to the winterless north, staying from late January to May every year except for one year over covid.

Carter recounts how it was love at first sight for the couple when they had been inspecting properties and Taiwawe Bay was the last to see. Driving down the hill they were captured by its beauty and signed up that very afternoon.

“We will be quite sad to see it go, it has been a wonderful place to come to and we have shared a lot of memories with our family there,” he says.

He recounts many hours were spent early on getting the run-down property’s fencing and water supply up to scratch to ensure it remained a viable grazing block.

Grazing land divided into 20 fenced paddocks

Today the leased grazing land boasts exceptional subdivision across 20 permanently fenced paddocks with bore water supplying 18 of them. The total grazing area is 50ha, with the balance a mix of mature native bush, including manuka and established trees.

Multiple dwellings provide flexible accommodation

The Clarks’ time at Taiwawe was marked by more than just their seasonal visits, and it was home for their daughter and her husband for five years. The dwellings on the property include a main brick residence tastefully refurbished and a detached self-contained guest house that used to be a spinning room.

Taking advantage of its near-beach location the main home features open-plan living with plenty of natural light, bi-fold doors and expansive decking to enjoy beachside summer living.

Located a discreet distance from the main home and sleep out is Kowhai cottage, a fully self-contained cottage, and a nearby lodge both complete the accommodation. Both are in comfortable condition, providing handy but private guest accommodation.

With 28 summers worth of memories of Taiwawe, Carter Clark has a lot of good ones to savour. But he says kayaking around the bay and beyond is one of his favourites, with plenty of nooks and crannies within the local seascape providing hours of intrigue and discovery.

“And as part of a coastal recreational area, there are also lots of good walks we always enjoyed going on to other beaches around the district like Mimiwhangata Bay and Carpenters Bay.”

Farm infrastructure supports the grazing operation

The farm aspect of the property consists of mainly rolling country with some steeper areas and flat valley floors. The property comes with a 4wd tractor and assorted fencing materials.

The property’s farm buildings are more than adequate for the property’s size, including old horse stables converted to a secure storage shed, a large four-bay implement shed ideal for both farm gear and boats, and an old honey shed now used as a storge shed. All farm water comes from an on farm-bore supply, powered by mains electricity.

Coastal setting expected to attract broad interest

Lin Norris says the property’s uniqueness means it is bound to attract strong interest both locally and overseas, given such holdings are rare to the market.

“Anyone buying here also has the opportunity to pick from one of several possible building sites on the property, with one in particular the Clarks called the ‘picnic table’ site that captures some stunning sweeping views across Mimiwhangata Bay next door and all the surrounding islands.”

Taiwawe Bay property offered at auction

With its inter-generational appeal and timeless iconic landscape, Norris is confident the Taiwawe Bay property will have plenty of interest when it presents for auction on February 24 under the watchful eye of its current owners.

“We are anticipating plenty of interest.

“Properties along this piece of coast in Northland are pretty tightly held across the generations, and with good reason, and even our current owners feel sad to see it go.”