February 22, 2023

Port Nikau: A Waterfront Community in the Heart of the City

The future of residential development looks vastly different to that of 10 or even 20 years ago. The days of the quarter acre residential section are evolving, as access to land becomes more difficult and people are choosing to live in more sustainable, connected communities where resources, such as green spaces, can be shared, rather than everyone needing their own backyard.

With this in mind, the Port Nikau Development masterplan has been carefully created over the last 15 years with inspiration taken from other successful port and waterfront developments around the world and guided by the Urban Design Protocol. The long-term vision is to build a new ‘village’ offering a sustainable and livable destination in Whangārei city’s first urban waterfront community.

Residents of the 100-hectare development will be well connected – with easy access to all of the amenities in the Port Nikau village centre, the marina, and the city centre and town basin areas via coastal walkways and cycleways. With a boat ramp open to all residents, boat owners can enjoy easy access out into the harbour and beyond. The marina will welcome recreational boats, commercial vessels and superyachts, supporting the city’s existing marine and industrial sectors.

Well-designed for livability, the bespoke village centre will offer everyday conveniences to Port Nikau residents and the wider Whangārei community such as groceries, cafes and restaurants, green spaces, entertainment and recreational areas, as well as other retail offerings. The retail, hospitality and commercial precincts cover an expansive 6,000m2 of the development. 

In addition to a 120-berth marina, the Port NIkau Development includes plans for a 55-hectare varied residential development for 1,250 homes including 2,3 and 4-bedroom stand-alone houses, terraced townhouses, waterfront apartments, retirement residences and mixed-use buildings. The broad range of living options available at Port Nikau has been carefully designed to meet changing housing needs and focus on a more sustainable, connected, livable way of life. 

Expressions of interest are now open for the first residential developments, including waterfront apartments and within Precinct 1, Arataki.