The 1,284ha Goose Bay property marketed by Bayleys is located 18km south of Kaikoura just off State Highway 1, as a freehold title across coastal hill country contained within a unique microclimate.

At present, the property has BioGro organic certification for livestock and is running some livestock, alongside regenerating natives, and has an open area suitable for forestry planting and one of the country’s southernmost avocado plantings.

Bayleys Canterbury rural salesperson Ben Turner says interest in the property is being drawn largely by the potential it offers investors wanting land to plant as native permanent carbon forestry.

“The property already has lodged an application for 361ha of regenerating bush with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for carbon credits, which the new owner could capitalise on. The opportunities are there for significantly more, in both pine trees for forestry and permanent native carbon plantings.”

A further 300ha of bush that includes large areas of totara and beech forests are also expected to be registerable in the near future.

Recent proposals by government to ensure only native trees can be planted as permanent carbon forest sinks have sparked increased interest in property already lending itself well to such areas, including land that is steeper, less suitable for pastoral production, and with some forested area already on it.

With carbon targets now in place under the Paris Accord, there is also greater certainty the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) offers a secure platform for valuing and trading carbon credits.

“There are also a number of alternative income options that could present themselves to a buyer. Given the extensive native bush already on the property including areas of kanuka, honey production could also be an option,” says Turner.

Data has also been collected since 2014 that highlights the potential for wind farm installations, while subdivision rules mean minimum 2ha blocks could be developed at the front of the property, outside of coastal protection areas with stunning building sites affording expansive views across the Pacific Ocean.

A modernised, upgraded homestead is a key improvement on the property and includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an office area and an open plan kitchen. The homestead comes fully furnished with an extensive list of chattels attached.

Other dwellings on the property include a 50-year-old cottage that has been upgraded as a suitable guest house, including quality kitchen appliances, a wood burner, and a deck area out front.

With an eye on potential tourist income, the property also includes a woolshed that is in the process of being converted to a lodge, suitable for accommodating large groups with an open plan lodge style layout and bedrooms including a bunk room.

The New Zealand tourism industry is gearings up post-COVID for more international arrivals. The Goose Bay property offers the opportunity to capitalise from a rising market, with time to gear the property towards a new generation of eco-conscious tourists seeking a low-carbon footprint experience on arrival in New Zealand.

The native forest plantings opportunity stands well behind any “green” tourism theme, while also offering annual carbon returns once established.

“With its recreational opportunities both within the property and then on the coast itself, Moana Road is ideally positioned. It is on the main tourist route through the South Island only a couple of hours from the inter-island ferry at Picton, and on the way to Christchurch – an innovative operator could see the potential this affords in a market that is only going to go one way,” says Turner.

Click here for more information on the listing.