26 | Northland: Esnem Properties “The business hub will bring many jobs to the township and add to the need for housing.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Skills combine in Kaikohe project Encompassing 2540 square metres, the section had one existing dwelling on it which was tenanted by an elderly lady. Richard Loader A property development project in Kaikohe is the result of three young friends with a life-long interest in the Far North pooling their complementary skill-sets to help meet the town’s need for housing. Shane Tregidga and Matt Harding have been mates since kindergarten, often embarking on little entrepreneurial ventures as they grew up together. While Shane chose architecture as his career, and Matt’s went down the path of agriculture, a mutual rental property investment triggered a drive for property development. Esnem Properties was born five years ago, with another close mate, Steve Morris, invited to join a development project, bringing his own unique carpentry and property management skillset to the mix. “We’re all born and bred in Dargaville, all played rugby together, and had a lot to do with the Far North,” says Shane. “In recent years, the need for housing has been quite prevalent, and that’s something quite close to us. We thought, why can’t we help what feels quite local to us, as well as establish ourselves in the property market.” As number of potential locations were researched, with Kaikohe bubbling to the top. Kaikohe is a gateway to the Far North, and a large business hub being developed just outside the small town was also major drawcard, says Shane. “The business hub will bring many jobs to the township and add to the need for housing. We found a large corner section just off the main road with a preschool across the road, and a huge park nearby.” Encompassing 2540 square metres, the section had one existing dwelling on it which was tenanted by an elderly lady. After purchasing the property, Esnem Properties obtained resource consent to divide the section into five additional lots, with the existing dwelling refurbished and ex-navy houses relocated from Devonport. The project was broken up into two stages, each with three lots and three houses. Stage One has now been completed, and Stage Two is about to commence. Shane says when the first two houses were relocated on site they were refurbished and the elderly lady moved into one of them while her own house was given a complete makeover inside. “All properties will be rented out. When we were working on the development, people were walking in off the street and asking when they would be ready to be tenanted. One of the houses has been tenanted by the existing tenant’s sister. We thought it would be really nice for them to live next to each other.” A new private road was built in the development which Shane, Matt and Steve named Timatanga Place. Translating as ‘the beginning’ — the name is a shout out to Kaikohe’s business hub which is expected to breathe new life into the town — along with a nod to the beginning of Esnem Properties. Kris Pedersen Mortgages has played a critical role in the project, says Shane. “We didn’t have mountains of capital behind us and Kris Pedersen Mortgages were very good at providing staging advice and how we could refinance at those different stages to keep the project moving forward. They were very detailed and informative in their responses.” Reflecting on the success of the project, Shane says he likes to draw, Matt is a farmer and handy on machinery, while Steve is a carpenter and has been a property manager. “We all have these skills and interests that link back to property and developing. It’s very rewarding to see the progress being made and seeing people living in the houses. Anything that brings you that feeling means you are quite passionate about it.” No doubt, there will be more developments from Esnem Properties in the wind, all with the same level of passion. ADFocus Proof Call Steve on 027 284 1300 or Email: stevie-pock@hotmail.com [ ] Domestic • Commercial • Industrial • Cowsheds
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