Heritage Homes builds new character homes — villas, bungalows and cottages — across the Far North, from Kerikeri and the Bay of Islands to Doubtless Bay and Kaitāia. The local licensee is Sam Corbett, raised in Kerikeri, with over 20 years' collective experience building in the Far North and abroad.
The Far North is where New Zealand's European building history starts — the country's oldest surviving buildings stand at Kerikeri — and it is also one of the most demanding places in the country to build well, because almost everything here is coastal.
Where we build in the Far North
Heritage Homes builds character homes throughout the Far North district, including:
| Area | Towns and suburbs |
|---|---|
| Bay of Islands | Kerikeri, Waipapa, Paihia, Russell, Ōpūa, Kawakawa |
| Doubtless Bay & east coast | Mangōnui, Coopers Beach, Cable Bay, Taipā, Whatuwhiwhi |
| Central & west | Kaikohe, Ōkaihau, Kaitāia, Ahipara, Hokianga |
| Rural & lifestyle | Lifestyle blocks and coastal sections across the district |
Coverage depends on the licensee network at any given time, so if your site isn't listed, ask — it takes one call to confirm.
Building coastal in the Far North: exposure, materials and logistics
Two practical realities shape a Far North build more than anything else.
Coastal exposure. Under NZS 3604, zone D — the sea spray zone — covers land within 500 m of the sea, within 100 m of tidal estuaries and sheltered inlets, and all offshore islands. A large share of Far North sections qualify. In zone D, structural fixings must be type 304 stainless steel; cladding fixings need at least 15-year durability, rising to 50-year where the cladding also braces the building. Specify it at design stage and the house lasts; specify it later and you pay twice.
Distance and lead times. The Far North is a long way from most suppliers, and character homes use joinery that is made to order rather than bought off a shelf. Deliveries, trades and long-lead items all need scheduling with the geography in mind — one of the clearest arguments for a builder who works here rather than one who visits. The wider timeline picture is in our guide to how long a new build takes in NZ.
Character in a place that has plenty of it
Kerikeri holds the oldest European buildings in the country, and the Bay of Islands carries a heritage streetscape most New Zealand towns can only envy. Building new in that setting rewards getting the proportions right — stud height, window rhythm, a verandah with real depth — because the reference buildings are two streets away, not in a photograph.
Subtropical summers make deep verandahs and shaded outdoor rooms genuinely functional rather than decorative, which is the case for the bungalow form on wider sites; villas suit the tighter township sections. The comparison is in villa vs bungalow. Building further south? See character home builders in Whangārei and Northland.
Your local team in the Far North
Sam Corbett is the Heritage Homes licensee for the Far North. Raised in Kerikeri, Sam brings over 20 years' collective experience building in the Far North and abroad, along with extensive local knowledge and established trade relationships — which in a district this size is a practical advantage, not a slogan.
Frequently asked questions
Which Far North towns do you build in?
Heritage Homes builds throughout the Far North district, including Kerikeri, Waipapa, Paihia, Russell, Ōpūa and Kawakawa in the Bay of Islands, Mangōnui, Coopers Beach, Cable Bay and Taipā around Doubtless Bay, and Kaikohe, Ōkaihau, Kaitāia and Ahipara further west.
What does coastal exposure mean for building in the Far North?
Most Far North sections sit in a high corrosion zone. Under NZS 3604, zone D — the sea spray zone — covers land within 500 m of the sea, within 100 m of tidal estuaries and sheltered inlets, and all offshore islands. Structural fixings in zone D must be type 304 stainless steel, and cladding fixings must meet at least 15-year durability, or 50-year where the cladding also acts as bracing.
Does building in the Far North take longer?
It can. Distance from suppliers affects delivery scheduling, and character homes use made-to-order joinery rather than off-the-shelf units, so long-lead items need booking early. A builder who works in the district routinely plans around it.
Can you build a character home in Kerikeri or the Bay of Islands?
Yes — and the setting suits it, given the area holds the oldest European buildings in New Zealand. Some sites carry heritage or landscape provisions in the district plan, so check the rules for the specific address before you design.
Who is the Heritage Homes builder in the Far North?
Sam Corbett, raised in Kerikeri, holds the Far North licence and has over 20 years' collective experience building in the Far North and abroad.
Talk to us about building in the Far North
Prefer to talk? Call Heritage Homes on 0508 40 30 20 or email sales@hhomes.nz.