Peter Brooks shared a delightful story about how he, a humble and "poorly paid" teacher, ended up with a prime beach property valued at $2 million through good timing, a bit of luck, and a touch of adventure.
The story begins in the early 80s when Peter and his then-girlfriend (now wife) decided to visit her uncle on Waiheke Island. He immediately fell in love with the island's untouched beauty and the idea of owning a piece of it, although he assumed it was well out of his price range. The uncle, who had planted the famous Onetangi Reserve on Waiheke, pointed him to a less developed, remote part of the island, saying it could be quite affordable.
Curious, Peter visited a real estate agent who showed him a plot of land in the secluded Orokawa Bay. The journey there was an adventure—20 km of dirt road over many one-lane bridges and a long walk along the beach. The section was practically hidden, with only a small post to mark it. But when Peter and his girlfriend climbed a little track, they discovered a gorgeous plot, complete with an ancient Pohutukawa tree and 25 meters of beachfront, where the tide dripped off the land.
The price? A jaw-dropping $6,500! The Real Estate Agent had misread the 10 for a 6. Even for the 1980s, this was an absurdly low price. The catch? There was no road access, no power, and no water. With a grin, Peter recalled how they barely hesitated to buy it.
The adventure continued as they spent the first eight years accessing the batch only by boat, clearing the land with machetes, and camping out without any modern conveniences. But Peter’s story took another lucky turn when, two years later, his lawyer friend informed him that the neighbouring section was for sale—again, for a mere $8,000. Peter snatched that up, too, giving him 50 meters of pristine beachfrontage.
Fast forward to the present: the property now boasts vineyards, a distillery nearby, and proper road access. And though it all sounds fantastical, Peter can still hardly believe how a poor teacher managed to own such a slice of paradise.
His tale is a humorous reminder of the randomness of life and how, sometimes, the biggest adventures begin with a leap of faith—and maybe a machete or two.
We’re all now looking forward to our invitation to visit!