While property transactions in most of the country are at a low ebb, the ‘hotspot’ market in Te Anau and Manapouri is bucking the trend as buyers, particularly from outside the region, discover the special qualities and excellent value that Fiordland offers.

Sandra Macnamara, Business Development Manager at PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Te Anau is seeing activity throughout the region

“Plenty of residential homes are coming onto the market and selling quickly, particularly in the middle and lower range. Whether a section, a home or a lifestyle property, buyers seeking their piece of paradise are likely to find it in Te Anau or Manapouri,” she says. 

Those discovering the region’s special qualities are typically professional families with children.

“People see the chance to relocate from the North Island to a part of the country with an authentic rural feel. 

“Covid provided the time and motivation for many of us to re-evaluate our priorities, and to realise that life is at least as important as work, if not more so. Plenty are concluding that Fiordland ticks all their boxes. Since the internet has freed up so many of us to be able to work anywhere, this is an ideal destination.

“Alongside exceptional lifestyle features, Fiordland offers excellent value. We have a beautiful five bedroom five garage home on a lifestyle property within a few minutes’ drive of Te Anau for $1.8 million, ranging to a three bedroom healthy home compliant first home in the town for $515,000. Bareland blocks and sections can be had from $380,000, such as a 2.3 hectare property with a big building platform 10 minutes out of town and 850 square metre sections from $199,000, while we also have a new industrial subdivision for sale and another residential subdivision on the market,” says Sandra.

Water, which the region has in legendary abundance, draws many to Fiordland, as Sandra explains.

“We have two fantastic boating lakes, Te Anau and Manapouri, and further afield the fiords. You can drive for 90 minutes from Te Anau to fish for tuna out of Piopiotahi Milford Sound.”

Fiordland’s wider appeal, for locals and visitors, sits with its unique natural heritage, most obviously the 1.2 million hectare Fiordland National Park incorporating mountains, fiords, lakes and rainforests. It features three of New Zealand’s great walks, the Kepler Track, the Milford Track and the Routeburn Track, plus numerous other day walks, while Te Anau provides plenty of recreation of a more urban focus.

“We have many highly popular annual events ranging from golf to fishing to tennis to fireworks. Rhythm and Brews in late January features local music and craft beers from around the southern region, we have an annual rodeo, and the motorama attracts excitement every year in November when the old beasts come out of the garage.

“Much loved by locals, the RealNZ Fiordland Community Events Centre is a great venue for the likes of netball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, indoor hockey, squash and football, as well as a climbing wall, while the town also boasts a long established yacht club, a fantastic golf course with great views and a strong rugby club,” Sandra says.

Te Anau has two primary schools and Fiordland College, ranging from year seven to 13.