A consented commercial development site positioned at the heart of Northland's key growth corridor has been released to market, offering investors and developers scale, flexibility, and alignment with major infrastructure projects set to transform the Marsden Point economy.

Bayleys Commercial in the North’s associate director, Daniel Sloper, together with colleague Ben Clare, is marketing the freehold landholding at 63 Port Marsden Highway in Ruakākā for sale by negotiation.

The 28ha (more or less) site is consented for six individual commercial precincts spanning uses from accommodation, food and beverage, and retail, to self-storage, campervan facilities, and large-scale transport services.

Sloper says titles will be issued for each precinct, giving purchasers the flexibility to stage development, sell the precincts down individually, or deliver bespoke design-build solutions.

Two of the precincts, a fuel station and truck stop, are already under contract to national operators, affirming confidence in the location.

The six consented precincts comprise:

• Motel (10,431sqm) • Campervan park (8,537sqm) • Self-storage facility (7,748sqm) • Retail and café (7,432sqm) • Fast food (4,565sqm) • Truck stop (26,393sqm – under contract) • Fuel station (4,565sqm – under contract)

The site benefits from an approved resource consent by the Whangārei District Council, incorporating staged development provisions and extensions, giving buyers statutory clarity and delivery flexibility.

“Fully consented projects of this scale are increasingly rare in greenfield environments. The consenting framework not only reduces delivery risk but also provides confidence that development can proceed in step with demand.”

“At the same time, the diverse mix of approved uses provides exposure to multiple market segments, spreading risk while maximising appeal to occupiers and investors.”

Sloper says the offering directly aligns with Northland’s long-term population trajectory.

“Ruakākā and the wider Marsden City precinct are undergoing rapid residential expansion, with leading group home builders delivering hundreds of new dwellings. Just minutes away, Hopper Developments’ Marsden Cove and marina is Northland’s premier waterfront canal community.”

The property commands a high-profile frontage to Port Marsden Highway, a key arterial connecting directly to State Highway 1 and leading into Northport and surrounding industrial zones.

Daily traffic flows provide strong brand exposure for national tenants, while connectivity ensures efficient trade and logistics access.

Bayleys Commercial in the North director Ben Clare says this strategic positioning is reinforced by major commercial initiatives now advancing around Marsden Point.

“Government announcements confirm procurement is close for a $500m commercial dry dock at Northport, which is projected to create more than 1,000 jobs and inject nearly $300m annually into the regional economy.”

“At the same time, KiwiRail is progressing plans for the long-discussed Marsden Point Rail Link, estimated at $300m, which will connect directly to Northport and provide resilient long-term freight capacity.”

“Further proposals for a designated special economic zone at Marsden Point could overlay the region with tax incentives, self-consenting powers, and streamlined approvals, while additional projects, including new fuel storage capacity and bio-refinery initiatives, reinforce Marsden Point’s emerging role as an economic powerhouse for New Zealand.”

The brokers say that Marsden City has been masterplanned as Northland’s next major mixed-use hub, supported by significant infrastructure investment and proximity to New Zealand’s northernmost deep-water port.

“Northport’s trade and logistics capacity, coupled with government focus on regional economic development, further underpins the long-term value proposition,” they say.

“Investors and developers are increasingly prioritising opportunities that combine scale, visibility, and demographic momentum. This represents all three, with the added advantage of consent certainty and flexibility to stage or tailor delivery. It’s a genuine gateway opportunity into one of the North Island’s most compelling future growth markets.”