A bustling commercial property holding in the heart of one of New Zealand’s foremost coastal tourism regions – gateway to a pair of world-famous natural scenic attractions – has been placed on the market for sale.

The multi-tenanted premises is situated in the tourist magnet Coromandel Peninsula township of Hahei in Mercury Bay, which sits between photo-famous Cathedral Cove on its northern boundary attracting in the region of 500,000 day-trippers annually, and postcard Hot Water Beach eight kilometres to the south.

With a resident population of around 240 people according to 2024 records, the majority of Hahei’s residential and small commercial area covers a compact 1.67-square kilometre footprint.

Hahei has a pristine sheltered beach which attracts thousands of visitors over the summer months. In peak holiday season, Hahei’s population swells to around 3,000 occupants staying at campgrounds and short-term let dwellings within the bay.

Comprising two adjoining parcels of flat land delivering totalling 1,981 square metres, the property for sale sustains four separate tenancies in the centre of Hahei’s compact commercial hub. The quartet of tenancies within the properties for sale as one offering are:

• Hahei General Store on a current lease with three further three-year rights of renewal, generating annual rent rental of $70,700 plus GST and outgoings.
• The open-air styled Little Blue Kitchen café on a current lease, with a three further two-year rights of renewal, generating annual rent rental of $14,546 plus GST and outgoings.
• The original Cathedral Cove sightseeing tour boat operator Hahei Explorer Ltd on a current lease, with two two-year rights of renewal, generating annual rent rental of $13,557 plus GST and outgoings.
• Well-patronised diving and snorkelling operator Cathedral Cove Dive & Snorkel Ltd on a current lease, with two further two-year rights of renewal, generating annual rent rental of $16,900 plus GST and outgoings.

Located within Hahei’s ‘town hub’ – encompassing the local tennis and sports club, public toilets, community playground, and arts centre – the adjoining properties and buildings at 46 and 48 Hahei Beach Road are being marketed for sale by deadline treaty through Bayleys Whitianga and Bayleys North Shore Commercial, with offers closing on Friday, March 14.

Bayleys Whitianga salesperson Josh Smith and Bayleys North Shore Commercial salesperson Richard Moors said the adjoining sites and their tenant businesses were cornerstone operations in Hahei’s business sector and occupied some 250 square metres of buildings.

“In particular, Hahei General Store – including its fast-food takeaway retail operation – is seen is an essential retail service which is well patronised not only by locals but also by the throngs of tourists coming into town, and buying food and beverages for their beach stays,” Smith said.

The properties’ owners also run the twin-pump G.A.S self-service station within the address. The fuel pumps generate approximately $100,000 in revenue per annum and are included in the sale offering. Moors said any potential buyers of the central Hahei properties would have the option of either continuing to manage the fuel pumps, or on-sell the hands-off retailing operation as a standalone business opportunity.

While currently sustaining commercial entities, the Hahei Beach addresses are zoned for residential use under Thames Coromandel District Council’s plan and are surrounded on all sides by extensive customer car parking. Multiple other aquatic tourism and holiday activity-related businesses operate from within residential dwellings in and around the town.

“The real potential for these properties is to add further commercial structures on land which is currently underutilised and used for customer seating on the lawns while enjoying their coffees, ice creams and takeaways,” Smith said.

“Any such development and intensification of activities within 46 and 48 Hahei Beach Road could include the likes of new retail buildings, or a boutique commercial accommodation provider aimed at serving the high-end short-stay tourist market,” Smith said.