About

Formerly home to Whangārei’s city port, Port Nikau represents 100 hectares of freehold development in the heart of Whangārei, Northland, New Zealand. With over four kilometres of coastline, access to deep water and close proximity to arterial routes, amenities and facilities, Port Nikau is uniquely positioned out into the Whangārei Harbour, creating genuine waterfront living and harbourside opportunities. Click here for a map of the area.

Port Nikau is situated in central Whangārei, with primary, intermediate, secondary and tertiary institutions all within five kilometres. The nearest supermarket and shopping centre is less than three kilometres away and it is just nine kilometres from Whangārei Airport and five kilometres from Whangārei Hospital. 

Yes. Port Nikau is less than five kilometres off State Highway 1 and less than four kilometres to Whangārei’s CBD. It’s just nine kilometres by road from Whangārei Airport and can also easily be accessed by boat from Onerahi and Limestone Island, with deep water marine facilities available.

Yes, it’s an easy flat ride into Whangārei city, taking 10-15 minutes. The Port Road bridge has recently been upgraded to allow a bike path to the central city, making the journey safer and easier. Port Road connects to the Town Basin, Hatea Loop and a shared cycleway to Onerahi via the Waimahanga Track.

Yes, much of the Whangārei CBD and lower Port Road area is built on land reclaimed by the Harbour Board in the 1960s. The land has had over 60 years to settle and consolidate. All buildings and developments are preceded by in-depth engineering investigations and solutions to ensure appropriate ground conditions – and council engineering standards – can be met for the planned residential and/or commercial investments.

Port Nikau subdivisions are designed according to the latest climate change and flood management recommendations from the Northland Regional Council and Whangārei District Council. Recommendations meet engineering best practice standards and are designed to allow for a 100-year sea level rise event.

Public Consultation commenced with the Port Nikau Private Plan Change in 2010 which amended the zone from Industrial to Mixed Use. The Plan Change was approved after extensive public consultation including with neighbouring landowners, iwi, community and other stakeholders. In 2022 the Whangārei District Council rolling 10-year review triggered a second council-led public process which resulted in the current Port Nikau Development Area.

In 2021, the Whangārei District Council adopted a new growth strategy which outlines forecast growth of 45% in the next 30 years, taking the district’s population to 145,000 in 2050. The Port Nikau development will help to meet this future demand for housing, with a varied range of lot sizes and building types, including 2, 3 and 4-bedroom standalone houses, terraced houses, apartments and even home and office buildings so residents can choose a way of life that best suits them.

The Port Nikau Development Master Plan has been carefully created over the last 15 years with inspiration taken from other successful port and waterfront developments around the world and guided by the Urban Design Protocol. The long-term vision is to build a new ‘village’ offering a sustainable and livable destination in Whangārei city’s first urban waterfront community.

Port Nikau is home to a deep-water marina, with 13m-18m berths available, as well as 670 metres of commercial wharf space available for short and long-term berthage. This is suitable for fishing boats, large commercial boats, tugs, workboats and charter vessels, and accommodates boats up to 8-metre draft. A dedicated superyacht pontoon provides for superyachts up to 90m LOA. 24 extra marina berths was added in 2022 at our new Pier B Marina. A marine fuel stop and boat ramp are available. Find out more about our Marine Facilities here.

Large-scale development is planned for Port Nikau in the next five to ten years. In late 2021 the Master Plan for Port Nikau was finalised, highlighting the key development stages and a detailed breakdown of the features of the 100-hectare development.

Construction of the Pier B Marina was completed in September 2022 and construction for Stage 1A Residential Sections started.

Construction of Logyard Road West Commercial Development and the Pier C Marina will take place in 2023-24, and Stage 1B Residential Sections and Waterfront Apartments in 2024-25.

The entire Port Nikau development includes plans for over 1,200 dwellings. The full 55-hectare housing development is fully designed and consists of a wide and varied range of lot sizes and building typologies, so residents can choose a way of life that best suits them. Building typologies include 2, 3 and 4-bedroom standalone houses, terraced houses, apartments and mixed-use home/office type buildings.

Whangārei is a small city with a great deal to offer both its residents and visitors, within just a short drive or bike ride from Port Nikau. There is a wide variety of places to eat and enjoy the beautiful natural environment. Explore Whangārei here and find out more about what it is on offer.