Tuakiri – Do they build good investment properties? An honest review

Tuakiri is a mid-sized Auckland property development company, but do they build good investment properties?

This is a question we at Opes Partners get asked all the time. After all, we work with over 91 developers and 900 investors every year.

At Opes Partners, we recommend New Build properties for investors. And over the last few years we’ve helped a number of investor buy Tuakiri properties.

So there is an incentive to tell you: “Everyone should buy from Tuakiri.”

After all, that’s how we get paid. But, I’m not going to do that. 

This will be an honest review, which contains the pros and cons of Tuakiri’s properties. That way you can decide if they’re the right fit for your portfolio.

Who are Tuakiri?

Tuakiri Property is an Auckland development company. 

Their projects usually have a mix of 2 and 3-bedrooms. Typically, their projects have around 10 units in each development.

Ryan Matthews started the company in 2020, and it has grown quickly.

Since the beginning, they’ve had 9 projects, and they were selling their 12^th at the time of writing.

The name “Tuakiri” reflects Ryan’s Māori heritage. Tuakiri means “identity” in te reo Māori.

Historically, they have had a focus on smaller-sized developments. But this may change in the future.

Where does Tuakiri build its properties?

Tuakiri primarily builds on Auckland’s North Shore. They’ve previously built in Beach Haven, Totara Vale, Glenfield and Birkdale.

The North Shore is a little more expensive than South or West Auckland. That’s one of the reasons not as many New Build properties are going up in the area.

This can be a big advantage, because there isn’t as much competition from other New Build projects.

Now the market is recovering, Tuakiri is branching out; it currently has 2 projects planned in and Central Auckland.

More from Opes:

• Top 6 property developers in NZ (Article)
• The developers Opes recommends (and the ones we don't) (Article)
• What’s the difference between buying from Opes and buying from a developer directly? (Article)

What are Tuakiri’s developments like?

Tuakiri specialises in townhouses. They have 43 properties under construction.

These townhouses generally range from 70 to 105 sqm, spread across two or three storeys. Tuakiri’s townhouses often come with carports or garages.

Prices sit between $740k and $970k, depending on location and size.

Here’s an example of a Tuakiri property.

Case study: 268 Rangatira Road

A recent example is 268 Rangatira Road, completed in late 2024.

This development included 8 townhouses, a mix of 2 and 3-bedroom homes, each with an allocated car park.

These properties sold for between $798k and $898k. The two-bedroom units rent for $640 a week, while the three-bedroom units bring in $750 weekly.

This results in a gross yield of 4.11% and 4.34%, respectively.

For comparison, a nearby two-bedroom property on Sunnynook Road is priced at $950k.

How much does a Tuakiri property cost?

Tuakiri’s properties range from $740k to $970k. Their entry-level properties, like those in Beach Haven, start around $740k.

If you want a property in Central Auckland, their properties in Mount Albert begin at $969k for a 3-bedroom townhouse.

Properties with higher price tags tend to be in higher-quality areas. For example, here’s how this property compares to others on the market:

What are the pros and cons of Tuakiri?

One of the biggest pros about Tuakiri are the locations they build in. There aren’t that many developers building on the North Shore, this close to the city.

I also like Ryan’s hands-on approach. He’s one of a few developers who go to the building site daily to check progress. This shows in the quality and standards of the finished product.

In terms of cons, Tuakiri primarily builds in part of Auckland. If you want a property in South, East or West Auckland, they don’t have that many options elsewhere.

Ryan has previously been made bankrupt. It was over 10 years ago, and he wasn’t developing properties at the time, but some investors might like to know this and factor it into their decision.

Ryan doesn’t regret that bankruptcy. He recently came on Season 2 of The Deal. Here’s a transcript of what was said:

Vanessa: “Ryan, you’ve been made bankrupt?”

Ryan: “Yes.”

Vanessa: “It doesn’t look good.”

Ryan: “Oh, no. I think it was, you know, respectfully probably the best thing that happened to me, and and I think other people in that same instance could say the same thing.

“So I think, if you wanna learn something about growth and adversity, then you go through that experience. So it’s not something I’m ashamed of at all. I think it’s made me a far better businessman and that’s the way I run my business accordingly.”

Here’s the full clip of the exchange:

Who is Tuakiri the right fit for?

If you’re an investor looking to enter the Auckland market, Tuakiri could be a good option.

Their entry-level properties under $800k offer a relatively affordable entry point into Auckland.

And their North Shore developments combine affordability with an attractive location (a rare combination).

However, not all investors can afford Auckland price tags, so Tuakiri might not be the right fit for those investors just starting out.

If you want to invest outside Auckland, Tuakiri won’t be a good match for you because they only build in that city.

How do I buy a property from Tuakiri?

At Opes Partners we work with investors to create financial plans. We then find New Build properties for these investors.

To buy a property from Tuakiri, you typically need to work with a financial adviser from Opes.

That’s because Tuakiri only works with Opes to find investors for their projects. This means all developments are tailored to meet the needs of property investors.