More Wellingtonians Eyeing Up Kāpiti

Media Release

Wellington, 10 May 2019 - More people in Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington are considering moving to the Kāpiti Coast, with up to half of all views of Kāpiti properties for sale coming from outside the district, ahead of Transmission Gully opening in 2020.

Trade Me data shows of searches for property in Kāpiti; 8-15% are from Porirua, 17-24% from Wellington and 9-14% from the Hutt Valley. Steph Bradley, Kāpiti Tall Poppy Salesperson says these figures highlight the attractiveness of the district to the rest of the Wellington region.

“The ‘pro’s’ list for the ‘should we relocate to Kāpiti?’ question is already pretty stacked. Many people are drawn to the climate, the lifestyle, the beaches, the village life and the vibe; while others feel it’s the smart choice due to Kāpiti’s accessibility to the northern cities for work travel. The promise of our new road eases one of the very few ‘cons’: the commute”.

Steph Bradley says Wellington's geographical position provides a natural southern boundary and encourages people to look further north if they are considering shifting, supporting a strong local housing market.

“Fortunately, In Kāpiti, both Transmission Gully and the fact Wellington has Cook Strait as a natural southern boundary, helps insulate Kāpiti from the extreme market changes that the larger cities experience. This is a stable place to buy houses. According to the REINZ, across the whole Wellington Region the median house price is up 5.1%, whereas, Kāpiti in isolation had an increase of 9.1% when compared with March 2018,” says Steph Bradley.

Landlink specialises in land development and is working on several new subdivisions, including Kohekohe Park in Waikanae. Paul Turner, Principal, says Kāpiti is no longer perceived as a provincial town, or a holiday and retirement destination.

“We’re seeing people make the jump from Wellington to Waikanae, others from Waikanae to Otaki, and some from Otaki to southern Horowhenua. One of the problems we need to address is the lack of available land for development to meet the demand created by Transmission Gully. In the future, I think we will see smaller homes on smaller, more manageable sections as our population ages and increases”.

Paul Turner believes town centres will become more important to Kāpiti.

“As we move to smaller homes and smaller sections, town centres will play an even bigger role in the community. As a crucial part of our neighbourhoods, they are places we gather and come together. The community needs to consider how we can support them” says Paul Turner.

Steph Bradley says sustainable development is vital for Kāpiti.

“We need to protect the land and waters that define Kāpiti. From what I’ve observed, this responsibility is being managed well. We have a healthy market that is poised for growth, I think Kāpiti is more than ready to meet that challenge,” says Steph Bradley.

Tall Poppy is a New Zealand Real Estate Agency, headquartered on the Kāpiti Coast, north of Wellington. Founded in 2012, it operates throughout New Zealand and has saved New Zealanders $33 million in fees. It is working to create a fairer real estate industry for all Kiwis and prides itself in being an active member of the communities in which it operates. Tall Poppy plans to be available in all regions of New Zealand by the end of 2020.

ENDS

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