Matai Ridge

The removal of road cones from a worksite in Wentworth Street, Gore, has raised significant concerns for public safety.

Contractors yesterday started installing a stormwater connection at the intersection of Wentworth and Lawrence streets for the Matai Ridge residential subdivision.

Senior Roading Operations Officer Murray Hasler said the site was coned off in preparation for digging out the road today. There was an excavator on the road, which was gated off.

Overnight someone has removed the road cones and stacked them in a resident’s driveway.

“We start digging up the road today and will cone off the excavated area overnight. It’s a concern the cones may be moved again, exposing the worksite.

“It might seem just a prank to some, but there are potentially serious consequences for the public and our staff.”

Last night’s vandalism was reported to Police. Residents who see anyone interfering with the traffic safety cones should call *555 or 111.

21 February 2022

Property buyers throughout New Zealand are investing in Gore’s latest subdivision, Matai Ridge.

A joint venture between the Gore District Council and Wilson Contractors, Matai Ridge offers 36 west-facing sections in East Gore. The 15 sections in stage one were released just before Christmas and quickly sold out.

The remaining sections went on the market earlier this month and the strong demand has continued. To date, 11 of the 21 sections are under contract.

Gore District Chief Executive Stephen Parry said the release of stage two was brought forward to meet the demand experienced with stage one.

“We always suspected there was a significant shortage of good residential sections in Gore. The market response to Matai Ridge has confirmed that.”

The two highest price lots set a new benchmark of $225,000 each, Mr Parry said.

First National Gore business owner Graham Maxwell said buyers have been waiting for an opportunity to invest in the Gore market and build their dream homes.

Buyers from as far afield as Auckland, as well as locals, were snapping up sections.

“We are seen as an affordable place to invest with excellent growth in values.”

There has been demand across the entire price range of sections, from $129,00 to $225,000, he said.

“There’s still some great sections available.”

Wilson Contractors is due to start earthworks and drainage early next month. Mr Maxwell expected the construction of homes to begin around October/November this year.

19 December 2021

Stage one of a new subdivision in Gore has been almost fully subscribed within 24 hours of going on the market.

Eleven of the 15 sections at Matai Ridge went under contract on the first day of the sales. The sections sold for between $149,000 and $205,000, realising a total of just over

$2million.

Matai Ridge is a joint venture subdivision involving the Gore District Council and Wilson Contractors (2003) Ltd. It is located in East Gore and features sections with west-facing views of the town and Hokonui Hills.

Gore District Council Chief Executive Stephen Parry said all the sections were conditionally sold for the asking price, except one which went for $8000 higher than the asking price.

“This sets a new benchmark in the local market.

“We were confident there was pent-up demand, and we would see several sections under offer in the first few weeks. But to have 75% of sections under contract in 24 hours is well beyond our expectations.”

He said that the mix of covenants in place would protect people’s investment while providing flexibility in the type of house people want to build.

“Matai Ridge is about creating a neighbourhood. People want that.”

The strong response to stage one is likely to see the release of stage two before next winter, Mr Parry said.

First National Gore Business Owners Graham and Tara Maxwell were thrilled with the response to the launch of Matai Ridge.

“We have both first home buyers and developers locally and from out of Gore securing sections.”

With calls of interest continuing, they expect the remaining four available sections in stage 1 to go quickly.

“One email today was from a New Zealander returning from Ireland with his family.”

“We knew from client feedback over the last few years that the demand for land was high.”

Matai Ridge was a premium subdivision providing for all buyer requirements with varying sizes, services to the site, roading, and views, he said.

13 December 2021

With demand for housing in Gore soaring, a new subdivision is about to hit the market.

The Gore District Council’s Matai Ridge subdivision is back on the books, looking to fill a substantial gap in the town’s housing and land markets.

The Council and southern construction company Wilson Contractors (2003) Ltd have entered into a joint venture that will see 35 sections developed on the East Gore site. The first 15 sections are being released this week by First National Gore.

Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks said the demand for housing in Gore was more significant now than it’s ever been.

“I’ve had some of our biggest employers say they can’t attract staff because there’s no housing and a shortage of residential sections.”

The joint venture shows confidence from the Council and private enterprise in the future growth of the Gore District, Mr Hicks said.

“It’s (Matai Ridge) exciting. We haven’t had a subdivision of this scale since the 1980s.”

In acknowledging the Council’s decision in 2018 to put the project on hold, Mr Hicks said the timing just hadn’t been right then. The real estate market now is considerably more bullish, he said.

“Councillors were unanimous in supporting the joint venture with Wilsons.”

Chief executive Stephen Parry said Wilson Contractor had been a “keen tenderer” throughout the history of the subdivision.

The Council’s contribution to the joint venture was about $1.15 million he said.

“We bring to the table the market value of the land, detailed engineering designs, resource consent and marketing among other things.”

Under the joint venture, revenue will be shared in proportion to the financial contribution of each party, Mr Parry said.

Wilson Contractor chief executive Steve Osborne said the company had been involved in this project since 2017 – “we are happy that soon we can finally turn dirt”.