More than land and walls — a canvas for your life’s most enduring masterpiece
THE WAIHEKE ESTATE : A WORLD WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES
Step inside the gates of 40 Rothschild Terrace and discover a self-contained world, where natural beauty and thoughtful design converge. This is not a single feature or view—it’s an entire composition of land, sea, architecture, and possibility. From the historic kauri villa and award-winning vineyard to private islands accessible on foot at low tide, every element of this estate adds a new dimension to its value.
On this page, you’ll discover the villa’s enduring character and charm, a true coastal landmark with stories etched into its kauri beams; The Sisters Islands, your own conservation sanctuary alive with native birdlife and framed by crystal-clear waters; a working organic vineyard complete with a hillside cellar, producing grapes for acclaimed wineries; rare riparian rights granting direct and private access to the shore; and the freedom to dream bigger with a dedicated building platform, potential for a boat shed or helipad, and ample space for future expansion.
The Estate is more than its attributes—it’s a living environment that shifts with the tides, seasons, and vision of its owner. It’s here you will find the raw materials for a legacy unlike any other on Waiheke Island.
THE SISTERS - PRIVATE ISLANDS
The Sisters are a rare natural treasure — two conservation-protected islands included on the property’s title, along with two smaller islets. At low tide, the ocean reveals a natural sand and rock causeway, creating a walkable path from the estate’s beach to the islands. This tidal connection transforms the landscape twice a day, inviting spontaneous exploration.
Once on the islands, you’ll find secluded nooks, pockets of native bush, and a small sheltered beach that appears at high tide. Native birdlife flourishes here, with seabirds and songbirds providing a soundtrack to your strolls. The calm surrounding waters are ideal for paddleboarding or kayaking, offering a 360-degree vantage of the islands, Oakura Bay, and the wider coastline. For the fishing enthusiast, the channels around The Sisters are rich with snapper and kingfish, just metres from shore.
This is not just land — it’s a living, breathing part of the Hauraki Gulf marine environment that you can step onto and call your own.
Low tide access — a natural walkway to your private islands
High tide — the Sisters rising from crystal waters
High tide at Shelly Beach — the Sisters’ secluded shoreline
Stepping through shallow waters toward the Sisters at near low tide
The journey across — people walking where few have the chance to tread.
Standing beside the Sisters — where people and nature meet in perspective.
Tidal rhythm — ever-changing views from your villa
Aerial perspective of the Sisters
RIPARIAN RIGHTS - A DIMINISHING PRIVILEGE
In New Zealand, riparian rights give the landowner legal access and control to the adjoining waterline, without public esplanade reserve in between. It is increasingly rare on Waiheke Island, as modern subdivisions typically include a public access strip, meaning ownership stops short of the water’s edge.
40 Rothschild Terrace is exceptional in holding riparian rights across its entire Oakura Bay frontage and half of the beachfront on neighbouring Te Whau Bay. This means you own to the high-water mark — a powerful advantage for privacy, security, and exclusive use. For an international buyer, this offers certainty and control: you can arrive directly by boat, maintain private access, and enjoy an unbroken connection from villa to sand to sea. With fewer and fewer Waiheke properties retaining this ownership structure, its long-term value is only increasing.
THE ICONIC KAURI VILLA
Believed to have been constructed around 1896 as a wedding gift, this kauri villa is a rare survivor of New Zealand’s coastal heritage. Built from native kauri timber — prized for its beauty and enduring strength — and featuring bricks hand-made from local clay and fired in Auckland, the home embodies the craftsmanship and romance of its era.
Set in gardens that still hold remnants of its early brickmaking era, the villa offers a unique connection to the land’s past. Inside, period detailing and warm timber tones create a timeless atmosphere, complemented by wood-burning fireplaces that invite winter evenings spent in comfort.
The layout is as adaptable as it is charming, with a second living area that can easily convert into a fifth bedroom — ideal for accommodating extended family or guests. Positioned on a beachfront lawn in the sheltered embrace of Oakura Bay, the villa makes an exceptional guest residence should a new primary dwelling be built on the property.
With its proximity to the water’s edge, the villa enjoys uninterrupted sea views, and at low tide, the natural walking path to The Sisters Islands beckons for exploration. This is more than a home — it is a living piece of history, ready to be woven into a new legacy.
FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET
Life at 40 Rothschild Terrace is shaped by the rhythm of the tides and the arc of the sun. Mornings break over the water, the bay turning gold as the first light catches the villa’s verandas. At low tide, the land stretches outward — the causeway to The Sisters appears, inviting a barefoot walk to the islands.
By midday, Oakura Bay becomes a playground: paddleboard in glassy conditions, kayak to hidden coves, or swim in the sheltered shallows. High tide brings the sea right to your lawn’s edge, turning the bay into a sparkling lagoon — perfect for a swim before lunch.
Evenings are for long shadows across the vineyard, outdoor dining on the beachfront lawn, and watching the sun set behind the headlands. As twilight falls, the estate feels like its own world — a private island in spirit, if not in geography, where every day’s view is subtly different from the last.
THE VINEYARD
Planted in 1996, this two-hectare certified organic vineyard produces Syrah, Malbec, Chardonnay, and Merlot — varieties that have supplied grapes to some of Waiheke Island’s most celebrated wineries, including Kennedy Point and Passage Rock. The fruit from this estate has contributed to award-winning vintages, earning a reputation for both quality and sustainable viticulture.
The vineyard includes its own hillside wine cellar, designed to take advantage of the earth’s natural insulation for perfect climate control, allowing for the careful storage of your personal vintages or a curated private collection. A purpose-built vineyard workshop, inspired by the architectural principles of Frank Lloyd Wright, sits alongside the vines — blending function with artistry.
Occupying an elevated position, the vineyard commands sweeping views over The Sisters Islands, the kauri villa, and the sheltered curve of Oakura Bay. From here, the daily rhythm of tides and light creates a captivating backdrop for tending the vines, hosting private tastings, or enjoying a sunset glass of your own wine.
