Wairarapa is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions for buyers seeking open space, peaceful rural living, and convenient access to Wellington. Lifestyle properties in Wairarapa offer a unique combination of privacy, spacious land, and proximity to key amenities, making it a top choice for families, retirees, hobby farmers, and investors.

This complete guide explores the best lifestyle properties Wairarapa has to offer, including benefits, real-world examples, and where to buy them.

Understanding Lifestyle Properties in Wairarapa

Lifestyle properties in Wairarapa typically range from 1 to 20 hectares, providing enough space for hobby farming, gardens, animals, workshops, and self-sufficient living. Many buyers choose Wairarapa because it blends wide rural spaces with easy access to urban conveniences such as shops, schools, restaurants, and medical centres.

The region includes several popular towns:

• Masterton

• Carterton

• Greytown

• Martinborough

• Featherston

Each area offers its own character, pricing, and land availability.

Why Choose Lifestyle Properties in Wairarapa?

Spacious Land for Work, Hobbies & Outdoor Living

Lifestyle properties provide more than enough room for gardening, orchards, raising animals, workshops, sheds, or simply enjoying nature in your backyard.

Quiet Environment & Cleaner Air

Many buyers move from bigger cities to enjoy a quieter, safer, and slower-paced lifestyle.

Family-Friendly Living

Large sections give children the freedom to explore and grow in a natural environment.

Great for Self-Sufficiency

Wairarapa’s fertile soil makes it perfect for:

• Vegetable gardens

• Fruit trees

• Keeping chickens or livestock

• Rainwater harvesting

• Solar power systems

Investment Potential

Demand for lifestyle properties continues to rise, especially among Wellington commuters.

Top Property Examples (Real Listing Format)

Below are five property examples representing the typical lifestyle properties found across Wairarapa.
No tables are used. Each example begins with the phrase: Insert image of the product.

Greytown Modern Lifestyle Home

Greytown is one of Wairarapa’s most desirable lifestyle destinations. The area offers boutique cafés, excellent schools, and charming village appeal. This modern lifestyle home represents the premium segment of the market.

Properties in Greytown typically sit on 2–5 hectares of land, ideal for outdoor activities, large gardens, and small livestock. Modern homes often feature contemporary architecture, open-plan living, large windows, and abundant natural light.

Benefits

Owning a modern lifestyle home in Greytown gives you the perfect blend of rural tranquillity and modern comfort. The ample land allows for solar panels, BBQ areas, greenhouses, or art studios. The community is safe, family-friendly, and well-connected.

Use Case

Ideal for remote workers, small business owners, or families wanting a modern home with expansive green space. It bridges the gap between city-style comfort and rural living.

Masterton Rural Lifestyle Retreat

Masterton offers an extensive range of lifestyle blocks at competitive prices. Properties like this typically sit on 5–10 hectares, complete with paddocks, barns, and workshops.

Country-style homes often feature large living areas, fireplaces, spacious kitchens, and scenic views of surrounding hills.

Benefits

This type of property offers excellent land value for the price. You can start a large garden, hobby farm, or build additional sheds and facilities.

Use Case

Perfect for buyers wanting to run a hobby farm, pursue semi-off-grid living, or families seeking wide open spaces.

Carterton Semi-Rural Lifestyle Block

Carterton is known for its friendly community and convenient access to Masterton and Greytown. Lifestyle blocks here are usually 1–3 hectares, ideal for first-time lifestyle buyers.

Properties often include landscaped gardens, green spaces, and room for a workshop or barn. Modern homes may include efficient heating systems and eco-friendly designs.

Benefits

Carterton offers rural living without being far from supermarkets, schools, cafés, and essential facilities. Prices are more affordable than in Greytown, making it a strong entry-level choice.

Use Case

Excellent for young couples, small families, or anyone wanting a rural lifestyle without managing a large section.

Martinborough Vineyard Lifestyle Property

Martinborough is famous for its wine country. Many lifestyle buyers seek properties with small vineyards or agricultural potential.

Vineyard lifestyle properties typically sit on 3–10 hectares and may offer opportunities for small-scale winemaking, homestays, or eco-tourism businesses.

Benefits

These properties offer real business potential from producing boutique wines to hosting visitors. Vineyard scenery also adds long-term aesthetic and market value.

Use Case

Perfect for wine enthusiasts, tourism investors, or families wanting to run a land-based side business.

Featherston Commuter-Friendly Lifestyle Home

Featherston is extremely popular among Wellington commuters. Lifestyle properties here usually range from 1–4 hectares and offer the quickest access to the capital via train.

Modern homes in Featherston often feature efficient layouts, making them ideal for working professionals.

Benefits

Living close to the railway station offers unmatched convenience for daily commuters. Property prices also tend to be more affordable than in Greytown or Martinborough.

Use Case

Great for commuters, remote workers who still want city access, or investors seeking long-term rental demand.

How to Buy Lifestyle Properties in Wairarapa

1. Determine the land size you need

Consider space for livestock, gardens, workshops, and children’s play areas.

2. Check water quality & road access

Most lifestyle blocks rely on bore water, rainwater tanks, and septic systems — all must be inspected.

3. Review zoning and building consents

Each area has rules regarding new structures, public access, and livestock limits.

4. Work with an experienced local agent

Local agents understand soil types, flood zones, and property values.

5. Use trusted property websites

Use major NZ property platforms to discover the latest lifestyle listings.

FAQ

1. What is the average price of lifestyle properties in Wairarapa?
Prices range from around NZD 700,000 for smaller homes in Featherston to over NZD 2 million for premium properties in Greytown or Martinborough.

2. Is Wairarapa suitable for hobby farming?
Yes. Many lifestyle blocks offer paddocks, fertile soil, and facilities for small-scale farming.

3. What are the best areas to buy lifestyle property?

• Greytown for premium living

• Carterton for affordability

• Martinborough for wine country

• Featherston for commuters

• Masterton for large land at good prices