Waterfront Editorial and Insights

On the edge of picturesque Doubtless Bay in Northland, Mangōnui Harbour has transcended its early-settler past and is now known for its kaimoana.

With waterfront property in high demand right around the country, and with prices striding ahead in the flagship areas, turn your eyes to some of the unsung heroes.

Waterfront takes a look at six of New Zealand’s best-loved coastal walks, ranging from a leisurely stroll to a five-day expedition.

Fiji’s dramatic tourism recovery post-pandemic has been admirable and is testament to the resilience of the Fijian people – and to the island nation’s enduring charm.

Russell’s iconic Duke of Marlborough continues to anchor the historic Bay of Islands settlement, with its current owners bringing fresh ideas to this enduring destination.

For 21 years, committed volunteers have made learning to sail accessible and free for all ages at Lake Tarawera.

With international travel off the cards, Waterfront takes a look at some New Zealand destinations that are found along roads less travelled and warns, they’re so good, you might want to keep them on the down-low…

The Pacific island nation is eager to welcome guests back after a challenging 18 months – and investment opportunities are just as enticing as the hospitable smiles.

As the world adjusts to an altered reality in the wake of a global health response, waterfront property is resonating with those seeking a sense of calm and a lifestyle to match.

We all have a role to play in protecting and restoring our ocean – Live Ocean charitable trust is leading by example by backing world-class New Zealand talent.

Wood-fired pizzas and a laid-back vibe are the drawcards at Luke’s Kitchen in Kuaotunu and Luke has shared two recipes with Waterfront readers.

A global pandemic has done little to dim Fiji’s aspirational credentials as a place to holiday, live and invest in.

Demand for waterside property across New Zealand is enduring – we explore some of the trends 25 years on from the first edition of Waterfront.

Adventurous Kiwis are discovering that a big life can be lived in small spaces as they travel New Zealand in mobile homes.

Waterfront talks to three players active in New Zealand’s seafood industry as sustainability measures, research and development and new markets ramp up for the sector.

To mark Waterfront's 25th anniversary, three popular dining establishments created a recipe for a memorable dish with seafood as the hero.

Fiji’s undeniable beauty, laid-back lifestyle and evolving purchasing options have made it a perennial favourite for investors in the waterfront leisure property market.

A selection of coastal, lakeside and river’s edge property sold throughout the country by Bayleys in the past 12 months.

New Zealand underwater cameraman Steve Hathaway and daughter, Riley, are doing their bit to ensure that children understand and appreciate the marine environment and all it has to offer.

Historic wharves and jetties around New Zealand’s coastline are having new life injected to them through maintenance projects costing millions of dollars, while other structures such as those on the Waikato River are being built to facilitate greater connection with city centres.

As you make your way around this country of contrasts seeking out the best places by the water, you’ll be wanting to find a great place to sample some local fare and grab a coffee to keep you fuelled up for the day.

The message is loud and clear – Fiji’s development market is racing up the charts.

From modest Kiwi baches and executive-style retreats, to beach-side land with potential and city apartments near the water – opportunities to live by the waterfront have been eagerly snapped up by willing buyers throughout the country. Here’s a sample of recent sales proudly transacted by Bayleys’ waterfront team.

New Zealand has the fourth largest marine environment in the world and, at more than 4 million square kilometres, our total marine area is around 14 times larger than our land area. Come with us and explore what lies beneath the surface in our very own marine backyard.

Around the world, Marinas are evolving to adapt to the changing needs and expectations of a discerning and growing market of boat owners. While New Zealand has historically had a strong tradition of boat ownership, a new wave of boat owners is emerging on the back of rising property values.

New Zealand has more than 15,000 kilometres of varied coastline – some rugged, some more gentle, white sand, black sand, tree-fringed or strikingly exposed – all of it, impressive. Across the country, hospitable landowners are hosting walkers on their properties allowing them access to some of New Zealand’s best coastlines.

With such an extensive coastline, maritime navigation aids have long played a vital role in keeping mariners safe as they navigate New Zealand waters. Waterfront looks at eight New Zealand lighthouses – each with its own quirks and stories.

There is new energy in the Fiji property market with developers returning after a decade-long hiatus. It’s good news for sunseekers looking for an island investment…

Tucked away in the southern antipodes, New Zealand waterfront property commands an enviable following. Sales in the past 12 months indicate that the waterfront market is robust across the price spectrum.

Waterfront property purchasers are as individual and different as the properties on the market and each has a story to tell. Waterfront editor Jody Robb talks to an expat’, some young-at-heart retirees and a couple looking to secure a legacy for their children about the waterfront homes they’ve recently purchased.

Adventurer, thrill-seeker, conservationist and self-confessed mad fisherman, Matt Watson gives Waterfront an insight into how recreational fishing in New Zealand waters can continue to be fun, rewarding and most importantly – sustainable.

Settlements near the coast have a gravitational pull with a relaxed, laid-back vibe that inherently seems to lower pulses, encourage fun and exploration and instil a sense of “on holiday” year round. Waterfront checks in with five coastal New Zealand towns to see what makes them enduring as places to live permanently or to visit for a break and divulging their best kept secrets…

As New Zealand’s reputation as an innovative food and wine nation continues to evolve, festivals celebrating the bounty of the sea are popular highlights on the “foodie” calendar around the country. Waterfront checks out six of the best.

If owning a holiday home in the Pacific Islands is on the wish list but seems out of reach, then shared ownership could well be the way to get a slice of the Fijian property pie.

Yes, we do love to live by the seaside, lakefront and river’s edge. Waterfront property continues to resonate with a broad cross-section of buyers across the country.

New Zealand and the South Pacific can lay claim to some of the most outstanding waterfront locations in the world.

Internationally, Kiwis have made their mark on the sporting scene in, on and under the water. We talk to three stars who call the ocean home including world-renowned New Zealand free diver William Trubridge, board sailor/windsurfer Barbara Kendall, and surf board shaper and surfing title-holder, Mike Thomson.

New Zealanders typically have an abiding affinity with the sea. The ocean has influenced the commercial, cultural and recreational lives of Kiwis for generations, and our love of seafood – or kaimoana, ‘food of the sea’ – knows no bounds.

Fishing is part of the New Zealand consciousness… consistently ranking as one of our most popular pastimes. And it’s little wonder. From the bottom of the South Island to the top of the North, New Zealand offers some of the best fishing in the world.

The recreational, climatic, and cultural fundamentals which make Fiji an enduring holiday destination continue to underpin the waterfront property market in the tropical Pacific Islands.