Project Update
A residential subdivision is planned on site, with the final subdivision layout and number and size of sections still to be determined by the developers. It is anticipated that approximately 210 residential allotments ranging from 280m² to 1,000m² will be delivered over several stages, as the development progresses. The final layout is subject to subdivision consent under the Tauranga City Plan.
The developers recently obtained earthwork consents from Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) and Tauranga City Council. Consenting processes for permanent stormwater discharge are currently being worked through with BOPRC.
Clearing of the site is now underway, with existing trees and structures being removed in preparation for stage 1 earthworks. A detailed programme of work is still being finalised by the developers and we will be encouraging them to share more information with the community where possible.
Project background
The Commissioners with Council and Beca staff held meetings on Wednesday 1 December and Tuesday 7 December 2021 with the 21 directly affected property owners (as outlined in the map below) and the 210 indirectly affected property owners living on/near Rowesdale Drive, respectively.
Council, on Wednesday 2 February 2022, held three information sessions (drop-in, no presentation) with the wider Ohauiti community.
The purpose of these meetings and information sessions was to share the decision made at a Council meeting on Tuesday 26 October 2021 about the outcome of the technical option assessments to facilitate access for potential urban development of land in the Ohauiti area.
The purchase of the properties at 202 and 206 Rowesdale Drive, Ohauiti

Blue – two properties owned by Tauranga City Council,
Yellow – 21 properties on the same land covenants as Council.
Council purchased the 206 Rowesdale Drive at a public auction on 29 October 2020. The opportunity to purchase 202 Rowesdale Drive was made available to Council and it was purchased on 12 February 2021. Both the properties were purchased using Council’s Strategic Acquisition Fund.
We are constantly reviewing how we plan for our city’s growth, including how we can respond to the ongoing housing shortage. The sections of land behind the Rowesdale properties (which is zoned residential at approximately 13 hectares) could potentially help meet some of the city’s housing needs. When the Rowesdale properties came up for sale, we viewed it as an opportunity that allows us to consider using it as road access. As with anyone else buying in today’s property market, we needed to move fast when the purchase opportunity arose.
Since the purchases of both properties, Council has investigated the different options for providing access to the land to enable its development.
Council’s investigation and technical options assessment
This investigation included analysis of potential road access points to the land and what infrastructure is required to enable development of the land, including the Rowesdale properties. The investigation provided Council with the details and analysis required to make a decision about whether and how Council can achieve road access to facilitate future growth that might occur in this area. The investigation commenced in early 2021 and was completed prior to Council meeting on 26 October 2021.
Council’s decision on Tuesday 26 October 2021
Following the investigation on the technical options assessment, an issues and options paper was presented at the Council meeting for further direction.
The Commissioners made a decision to proceed with an option to enable the access to the residential land via Rowesdale Drive through a process under the Property Law Act i.e. the legal, valuation and compensation process with the 21 directly affected property owners.
Council has identified these 21 property owners as those who’re directly affected due to the decision Council has made as their properties are covered by a relevant land covenant in Easement Instrument 8524891.8. Due to the nature of the land covenants on these properties, Council engaged with these property owners first on 1 December 2021.