Tucked just off the Coromandel Coast, Slipper Island is one of fewer than two dozen privately owned islands in Aotearoa, and it has come onto the market with a price expectation of more than $10 million.
A short boat ride from Pauanui, the island has white sand beaches and resort-style accommodation. Diana Cussen lives on the island and is handling the sale through Barfoot and Thompson. She describes the experience of arriving there as something close to impossible to replicate. "It's absolutely magical, just imagine just coming up in your boat... you can dive in and it just makes you feel fabulous," she said.
The sale includes a collection of accommodation options already set up for holiday use: an old-style lodge, a two-bedroom chalet, two one-bedroom chalets, and a pair of safari-style tents. Cussen puts the lifestyle on offer simply. "All you need is your food and your favourite bikini and a towel and you're away."
Cussen told Checkpoint that the island's appeal extends well beyond its buildings, with clear waters and white and pink sand beaches adding to its character. Spanning 217 hectares in total, the island currently holds 10 properties. Seven hectares are divided among nine lots, which together contain five houses and five semi-permanent residents.
Given the price, the pool of potential buyers is likely to be narrow, though Cussen believes the eventual purchaser will most probably be a New Zealander. "Kiwis are pretty good at making waves in the world and all the technology and their businesses. So more than likely, you know, it's going to be a local, local Kiwi and there is a bit of money around in New Zealand," she said. She added that the decision will come down to more than finances. "But it's going to come down to who would love to be the next custodian of Slipper Island."
The government's golden visa scheme opens the door to overseas buyers as well, offering a fast-tracked residency process for investors prepared to commit at least $5 million. Cussen noted that safeguards exist within that process. "There are checkpoints in place there to make sure that if there was an overseas buyer... what would they contribute to the community? How they would look after the island?"
Access to the island is straightforward. The crossing from either Tairua or Pauanui takes around 20 minutes by boat, while those travelling by air can make the journey in around half an hour from Auckland, Hamilton, or Tauranga. The tender closes on 15 April.
