Sustainability and kaitiakitanga at heart of eco-friendly North Shore development

Tuesday, 25 February 2020

The development, named Oneoneroa after the historical name for Shoal Bay, is being developed by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Properties.

Peace, tranquillity, sun, sea and gentle warmth – it's not surprising that Auckland's North Shore rates as many people's most preferred place to live. Factor in the vibrant urban buzz of New Zealand's biggest city in close proximity, and you can have the best of both worlds.

Now a new residential development at Shoal Bay, on the northern shore of the Waitematā harbour, is offering an exciting new opportunity for buyers. The development, named Oneoneroa after the historical name for Shoal Bay, is being developed by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Properties. It's the first major Auckland residential development headed by local iwi and the first phase of four significant developments in the area.

The first properties are a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom homes.

In the mid 20th century, the land around the bay became home to the Royal New Zealand Navy; and is now available for the first time in more than 50 years.

Ngarimu Blair, board member of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei's commercial arm, Whai Rawa, is delighted that the historic name, Oneoneroa, is being revived. 'Oneone means 'sand' while roa means 'long'. It refers to the long sandspits and heaped up shell banks we're all familiar with in this part of the Waitemata.'

All homes are being built to the highest Homestar 6 rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council, ensuring maximum energy efficiency.

Blair says the iwi developer's approach was different. 'We're not your typical developer who will complete a project and move on. We have a long view of history and a long view of the future, and in developing this whenua we wanted to give something back to the community, reconnecting them with the history of the place.'

A total of 13 stylish terraced houses are under construction, with more to follow later this year.

With views to the iconic Harbour Bridge and Auckland skyline, the setting demanded careful thought.

Brewer Davidson Architects, Rough & Milnes Landscape, and Capri Construction worked on creating attractive homes that would enhance the landscape. All homes are being built to a Homestar 6 rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council, ensuring homes will be better quality - warmer, drier, healthier and cost less to run - than a typical new house built to building code.

The first properties are a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom homes. A total of 13 stylish terraced houses are under construction, with more to follow later this year.

Blair says sustainability and kaitiakitanga, or custodianship of the land, were fundamental.

'The history of the area has strongly influenced the development, and we will continue to look at ways to enhance the foreshore along the Oneoneroa coastline.

'In Ōrākei we have a well-established native plant nursery. We would love to contribute our taonga to this area to create an ongoing connection between the two communities.

'We also partnered with Auckland Council and Predator Free 2050 to provide the Devonport Peninsula community with rat traps, which was very successful. We are excited about growing this ecological contribution to this part of Tāmaki Makaurau'.

As a special eco-friendly incentive for buyers, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Properties is gifting an O bike (an e-bike branded with Oneoneroa logo) to everyone who purchases in the first stage of the development – a great way to cut congestion and explore the neighbourhood.

For more information, see: oneoneroa.co.nz or call Michael Swarbrick on 021888133, Vic Mules, on 021 679 349 or Jemma Glancy on 021 246 5300 of Harcourts Cooper & Co