An Introduction to the Takahoa Bay Farm Park

Background.
Takahoa Bay Farm Park, with its spectacular views over the Upper Kaipara Harbour, was formed over twenty years ago when the Kaipara District Council (KDC) granted resource consent for subdivision of some 200 hectares of an Oneriri Rd farm. It became a gated community, with 50 residential Lots of differing sizes (most now built on), common areas and a leased sheep and beef farm. Common areas include a community olive grove, tennis court, bush areas, and a Managed Wilderness (woodlot) with foot trails. The Managed Wilderness borders the DoC-controlled Wildlife Reserve, an 11ha freshwater lake. There’s also a community boat ramp with trailer parking and beach access with a picnic area.
Takahoa is a member-controlled society with an increasing number of permanent residents. Strata Title Administration Ltd was appointed in 2017 to assist with administration and the transition to the new Incorporated Society’s Act. A Committee is appointed at the Annual General Meeting to oversee the Society’s administration. Five advisory groups, Roading, Conservation, Olive Grove, Farm and Heritage, provide advice and hands-on support to the Committee.
An annual fee is levied to each lot holder (currently $1,469) plus an additional $600 levy to the Long Term Maintenance Fund, which is mainly used to pay for maintaining Takahoa’s internal roads.
The common areas of the Farm Park are looked after by the farm leaseholder (Kraig Steiner) and volunteers from the Society community. Working bees support a yearly olive harvest, grove
maintenance and tree planting. Volunteers also provide other conservation and pest control activities.
All members are required to adhere to the Society’s Rules and the provisions of the original KDC resource consent. The Rules of the Takahoa Bay Society Incorporated (as of August 2023) are available on that section of the Companies Office website.
The Farm Park is secured by a gate and the gate code is changed monthly. The owners receive an end of the month email with the new code. Remote controls are available to purchase from Kraig.
Emergency services have a separate code that allows them access at all times.

Phone Reception
The estate is wired for the old copper connection but new connections are no longer available from Spark. Cell phone reception from Spark and One NZ is mostly good but there are dead spots caused by the hilly nature of the farm park. The area near the gate has poor reception, not handy if you forget the gate code. ‘Landline’ numbers are available from cellular providers using VOIP (piggy back phone line over internet connection).

Internet Connection
Wifi 4G internet is available by cellphone providers, but has been unreliable with drop outs at times of peak use during holiday periods. There has been a recent upgrade which may make the service better. Historically a more reliable option has been Uber Group (http://ubergroup.co.nz/). It uses line-of-sight connection to adjacent properties in the vicinity and can also provide a phone line as part of the deal. Capped or unlimited plans are available. If you need unlimited data and can afford it, Starlink seems the best with high speeds and so far, good reliability.

Walking the Common Areas and the Farm
Residents have the freedom to walk around all common areas and farmed areas. There are several marked trails in the Managed Wilderness and the beach can easily be accessed. Care needs to be exercised regarding stock, if accessing the farm. For farm walks contact Kraig Steiner, the farm manager and leaseholder, who can advise re where stock may be present. It’s important that dogs within Takahoa are treated for sheep measles because part of Takahoa is a working sheep and beef farm. And of course, please pick up your dog’s poo.
Post and Courier.
NZ Post Rural Delivery provides a reliable and regular daily service except weekends (better than NZ Post’s service in Auckland). Letters are delivered to owner-provided post boxes and larger items deposited in the communal shed by the gate. Couriered items can also be delivered, handled by Rural Delivery for the last leg to Oneriri Road. The rural delivery code is RD2. PO boxes are also available at the postal agency in Kaiwaka.
Rubbish
Rubbish is collected at the gate on Wednesdays by the Kaipara District Council. Pre-purchased bags, one for general waste, the other recycling, must be placed in the large bins by the gate. Bags can be purchased at Kaiwaka Four Square. Rubbish and recycling can also be taken to the council transfer station at Hakaru on the Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Road. https://www.northlandwaste.co.nz/info/transferstations/hakuru

Running a Business at Home
Owners are free to run a business from home, providing the activities adhere to the Society’s Rules.
For example, they should not “adversely impact the farm” or require “improper use of the gate” (which rules out a business where members of the public have regular access, for example retail), or make “improper or unseemly noise” or “acts that annoy or disturb another member”. Short term rental leases such as Air BnB are permitted providing owners comply with all regulations, write to the Society of their intention to let their property, and ensure guests read and sign a copy of the rules.

Internal Communication
Strata Title provides information to members via email. There is also a Takahoa Facebook group which is handy for asking general questions and sharing information.

Subdivision and Building
There are no plans at present to provide further subdivision of Lots. The KDC resource consent limits one ‘dwelling’ to each Lot. The KDC has guidelines as to what constitutes a ‘dwelling’. There are covenants over each Lot in respect of requiring prior approval from the Takahoa Bay Society for building activities (including fences and other structures). This is to ensure that structures enhance rather than degrade the overall ambiance of the Property. Applications for the approval of structures should be directed to the Committee via Strata.

Map of Estate
The Kaipara District Council has an excellent map of the estate with lot numbers and street numbers which can be accessed in their property boundaries site.
Go to https://localmaps.kaipara.govt.nz/LocalMapsGallery/ Then enter an address.