Strathmill Development Orewa - Action and Info

“Sun, Space & Simplicity” 🌞🏠✨

Let’s talk about the so-called outdoor area on some of these premium-priced tiny homes.

Apparently, a maximum 3x3 metre patch now qualifies as an “outdoor entertaining space.” Really?

What self-respecting Kiwi looks at an area barely big enough for a BBQ, two chairs and an existential crisis and thinks… “Perfect. Let’s host the mates.”

You might want to trim that guest list down to about 4 people max, and that’s assuming nobody values personal space or arrives carrying a salad bowl.

BBQ? Socialising? Outdoor living?
Mate, you’d have more room hosting the party inside a walk-in wardrobe.

And then there’s the marketing…

“Coastal living, zero compromise.”
Right… except for the tiny compromises around outdoor space, living space, light, airflow, storage, parking, privacy and breathing room.

But don’t worry, while buyers are learning the art of sideways socialising in their luxury 3x3 “alfresco zone,” the people selling the dream seem to be doing just fine.

Funny how the brochures always show long tables, relaxed entertaining, flowing indoor-outdoor living and smiling groups of friends… but somehow forget to mention you may need a roster system for seating.

Still, simplicity achieved ✅

Simple because it’s four walls, a postage stamp patio, and a sizeable mortgage to quietly enjoy your “coastal lifestyle.” 😳

Strathmill: “Coastal Living, Zero Compromise”🤣 👀

You’ve got to admire the marketing confidence.

A fascinating collection of… let’s call them architecturally adventurous homes. A real mish-mash of styles, some with garages, some without, some seemingly designed around the exciting concept of minimal window ownership. Uniformity? Cohesion? Consistent neighbourhood feel? Overrated.

And parking… ah yes, the modern solution. Because clearly families with 2–3 cars will simply embrace the community spirit of street parking. Nothing says premium coastal living like playing “find a park near your own house” every evening.

Then there are the slogans…

“Coastal living, zero compromise.”
“Sun, space and simplicity.”

Sorry… which development are we talking about?

Zero compromise? That’s ambitious.

Because buyers may need to compromise on a few minor things, like windows, natural light, living space, outdoor areas, airflow, storage, parking… tiny details really.

Sun? Debatable.
Space? Depends how much you enjoy close human connection with your neighbours.
Simplicity? Absolutely 100%.

Simple because it’s essentially four walls to eat, sleep, and quietly contemplate your mortgage repayments.

But hey, branding is everything. Why sell space and light when you can simply print it on the brochure? 🌞🏠✨

Well… that didn’t take long 👀

After a bit of attention on those $1.15M “3-bedroom specials,” prices suddenly seem to be drifting downward. Funny how that works.

Meanwhile, Milldale is still quietly outshining them, around $1.05M for an actual 4-bedroom detached home with space, light, and features that make it feel like a home rather than a storage unit with a mortgage.

Almost like when buyers start asking real questions and comparing value, things shift pretty quickly.

So what changed? The houses didn’t suddenly grow windows or space overnight. The only thing that changed was the spotlight.

It really makes you wonder how these prices were justified in the first place, and how many buyers might’ve paid a premium without realising there were better options just down the road.

Now the gloves are off, and it’ll be interesting to see the next move. Because behind the glossy brochures and polished sales talk, there are clearly a few people highly motivated to clip their ticket along the way (yes Burner family, we ALL see you)

At the end of the day, buyers just need to look closely, compare properly, and decide what actually feels like a home… versus what’s simply being marketed as one.

Interesting to see the Strathmill page views going up… clearly plenty of people are doing their homework 👀

Which makes sense, when you’re about to drop well over a million dollars on a long-term investment, you’d probably want to take a good hard look at what you’re actually buying. A 3-bedroom shoebox with “minimalist” windows and neighbours close enough to borrow sugar without leaving the house… bold choice.

But don’t worry, some landowners are sweetening the deal with free hybrid SUVs. Because nothing says “great value property” like throwing in a car to get the deal over the line 🚗💨
Makes you wonder… just how much margin is baked into these things if they can casually add a vehicle on top?

Meanwhile, these developments are popping up like mole mounds across the hillside, tightly packed, stacked high, and perched dramatically above what feels like the Grand Canyon of Orewa. Stunning views… if you enjoy looking straight down into a drop, with just enough sunlight blocked out by elevation and density to keep things nice and moody.

But hey, I’m sure they’ll all sell at totally fair and realistic prices… right?

Because nothing says “dream home” like overpaying for a shoebox with a free car and a cliffside vibe. 🧗

Strathmill - the Grand Canyon of Orewa

Article in Hibiscus matters……council wants to delay development in Silverdale, Orewa and dairy flat until critical infrastructure can be provided. Have your say, make a submission to akhaveyoursay.nz/furureauckland. Closing is 4 July