A well-maintained premium export kiwifruit orchard on the outskirts of Waiuku township south of Auckland is for sale, providing opportunity for a passive investor to secure a well-performing asset that can be managed on an owner’s behalf, or for an existing grower to acquire an additional block to spread risk and improve returns.

Maranui is a 15.63ha property spanning two titles of mixed contour, well-drained land with sound boundary fencing and shelter belts at 37 and 41 Taurangaruru Road, around 2.4km from the service town of Waiuku.

The orchard is planted with 5.44 canopy hectares of licensed G3 Sungold kiwifruit and a further 6.23 canopy hectares of Hayward green kiwifruit, producing good volumes of quality fruit that is packed at the Auckland Pack and Cool (APAC) packhouse in nearby Takanini and exported through Zespri.

Water is supplied from an onsite bore with consent for commercial water take until 2035, giving confidence in the ongoing supply for irrigation, fertigation and frost protection.

Improvements on the property include a machinery shed, 20x12m workshop, staff facilities, a metaled pack-out and loading area, water holding pond and excellent water supply.

The Rural-Mixed Rural zoned land is currently underutilised, with a circa-4,000sqm section with road frontage on a separate title, which could potentially be subdivided off with due process, or used to extend plantings.

Maranui is being marketed for sale by Roman van Uden, Ben Jameson, and Snow Williams of Bayleys by International Tender closing Thursday 13th March, unless sold prior.

Quality kiwifruit orchards close to Auckland city are tightly held, says van Uden due to their positive cashflow and production yields and proximity to a substantial workforce.

“There’s been significant new investment into kiwifruit in South Auckland as growers need reliable labour pools to draw from.

“This property has add-value potential either by expanding the existing planting area or subdividing off the front title close to the road.

“The 6.23ha of Hayward presents an opportunity for the next owner to expand the current G3 crop by investing in a further G3 licence, or look to diversify into other varieties such as RubyRed, the latest variant to come through Zespri’s world-leading kiwifruit breeding programme.”

New Zealand’s high-growth, export-driven kiwifruit industry is one of the country’s best-performing agri-sector industries, with exports valued at $3.1 billion in the year ended August 2024, according to Stats NZ figures.

Rabobank’s New Zealand Agribusiness Outlook 2025 says SunGold exports look likely to increase this year, while the Ministry for Primary Industries says 2025 could deliver record export values for the kiwifruit sector overall.

“Last year was an exceptional one for the sector,” says van Uden. “Proactive growers wanting to diversify their asset base across regions to spread risk will likely be attracted to this Waiuku offering.

“For investors seeking a hands-off investment in the burgeoning agri-tech export industry, the day-to-day management of Maranui can be fully outsourced.”

Waiuku is experiencing strong commercial and residential activity as a halo effect of Auckland’s growth. Waiuku, Drury, Opaheke, and Pukekohe have been identified by Auckland Council as the towns where the most growth will occur in rural south Auckland, mainly through in-fill development and expansion to future urban areas.

In light of this, Jameson says the subject property’s location on the western fringe of Waiuku could also be a strategic landbanking opportunity with good holding income on investment for a forward-thinking buyer.

“Auckland Council is currently reviewing feedback on its draft Southern Rural Strategy as part of its wider Auckland Future Development Strategy and it is widely-accepted that Waiuku will evolve significantly in coming years.

“The current Rural-Mixed Rural zoning overlay on Maranui supports rural production activities, and it’s a highly productive and successful kiwifruit enterprise. However, rural areas evolve and some buyers will take a much longer-term view on their investment.”