A substantial block of strategically located bare land situated in the heart of New Zealand’s big game fishing town, with a myriad of development options, has been placed on the market for sale.

The property at 17 The Esplanade in the town of Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula comprises 1,088 square metres of flat, rectangular-shaped bare land conveniently bordering the edge of the town’s central business district. Surrounded by highly sought after addresses, the section directly overlooks a sandy beach and the inner reaches of Whitianga Harbour.

The freehold land at 17 The Esplanade in Whitianga is being marketed for sale at auction on May 22 through Bayleys Whitianga. Salesperson Josh Smith says that with a favourable waterfront zoning, the beachside property could potentially be redeveloped to accommodate any multitude of residential or commercial structures up to 10-metres high.

“There are only 14 properties in Whitianga with this waterfront zoning overlooking the calm inner reaches of beautiful Mercury Bay, so they are very rare to find,” Smith says.

“Subject to council consents, any new building configuration for the bare land at 17 The Esplanade could encompass structures ranging from a low-rise apartment complex benefitting from sensational water views over the road, through to a commercial enclave, or a mixed-use combination of commercial sites at street level, with apartments or a boutique motel above.

“Any apartments or motel units developed on the location could have fabulous uninterrupted estuary and sea views, while also being in the centre of town for easy walking access to retail and social amenities,” he says.

“Alternative commercial uses for the site could also include development of a bar or café, or the creation of a high-end retail or commercial hub, any of which could be tenanted by multiple individual operators on a shared amenities basis.”

Smith says there is also clear opportunity for a well-heeled big game fishing enthusiast with their own large launch or boat to buy the property – situated just a few hundred metres from the well-patronised and highly efficient Whitianga Marina – and build a single palatial residential dwelling.

Over the past decade, Whitianga has grown to become New Zealand’s foremost big game fishing destination – with bountiful billfish found off its shores attracting anglers from across New Zealand and the globe.

Shifting seafloor sands along the eastern coastlines of the Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty have meant that Whitianga is now the only all-tide accessible mooring facility for large deep sea fishing boats. “The likes of Waihi, Pauanui, Whangamata, Whakatane, and Pukehina are directly exposed to the ocean, and all have sand bars which make access difficult and hazardous at low tides for boats with deep draughts. Conversely, Whitianga sits within the greater Mercury Bay which protects the marina area from swells and means bigger boats can get in and out easily no matter what the tide is,” said Smith.

Taking advantage of year-round around the clock access to the fish-filled ocean directly off Buffalo Beach, Whitianga now annually hosts one of the most lucrative and internationally renowned big game fishing events in the world, the Kubota Billfish Classic which was held in March. Competitors in the 2025 tournament were buoyed by a prize pool of up to $1.7million, including a $400,000 cheque for the heaviest billfish landed.

Smith says that investment in Whitianga is being underpinned by strong population growth, with Thames-Coromandel District Council’s 2018-2028 Long Term Plan forecasting an increase of around 3,580 houses across the district between 2018 and 2048. Aside from big game fishing underpinning economic activity in Whitianga, Thames Coromandel District Council has committed to multiple social infrastructure projects within the township, including:

• Ongoing development of the Mercury Bay Multi-Sports Park
• Construction of car parks at Monk Street in the central business district
• Upgrading Whitianga town hall’s amenities
• Installing security cameras in the town’s central business district
• Establishing assisted-living and low income/pensioner housing hubs and,
• Increasing pedestrian and cycle access across the township.