Yes, there are covenants, rules and by-laws that govern building and behavior on the Estate. This is common with most high quality private developments.

Covenants ensure that your investment in Wharekauhau Country Estate is protected, and that continuity of high building standards as well as good relationships between the various stakeholders are maintained.

Yes you do. All Estate Lots are freehold title, and estate in fee simple. This means that your ownership of the property is guaranteed in perpetuity, and you can sell or transfer ownership of it in the usual manner.

Lending institutions will finance you in exactly the same way as if you were not in Wharekauhau.

As an owner you will respect the rights and responsibilities of all Estate stakeholders, including the Lodge, the Farm, guests and other Estate Lot Owners;

You must abide by all rules, by-laws and covenants of the Estate;

You must not cause any nuisance to other users of the Estate, and you will respect their privacy;

You must keep your property neat and tidy at all times, and free from vermin;

You must abide by all planning consents and building regulations that apply to the Estate;

 You must promptly pay all annual Estate levies, and other accounts owing to the Estate.

The right of quiet and private enjoyment of your asset (i.e. your Estate Lot or Estate Home);

Centralised garbage and recyclables goods collection;

Reticulated and tested water supply to your boundary;

Sewerage reticulation to your boundary, with a full treatment plant;

Roading and road maintenance;

Underground electricity cabling to your boundary;

Telecommunications (“copper” phone and ADSL internet) to your boundary;

Low-cost access to high-speed (faster than ADSL) microwave broadband internet;

Access to all roadways and walking tracks within the Estate;

Discounted services, including landscaping and maintenance;

Access to Country Club facilities including swimming pool, tennis courts etc. (annual Country Club levy applies);

Centralised mail delivery point;

Discounted meals, dining and accommodation at Wharekauhau Lodge, and

The right to annually elect three Estate Lot Owners onto the Design and Governance Committee (in some documents referred to as the Design Team).

Yes, Wharekauhau Country Estate provides many of the services you will use day-to-day (see WHAT DOES THE ESTATE PROVIDE FOR ME?) and these are charged to you through annual levies

Annual levies are paid over and above council rates,for further information on levies please contact the lodge General Manager

The Country Club Levy is optional, pending your desire to utilize the facilities. Please also contact lodge General Manager for this information

Yes, as well as payment in full, you may opt to pay your levies monthly or quarterly;

Once you have decided on a payment frequency you must abide by this for the full financial period.

The Design and Governance Committee (formerly known and the Design Team) must approve the design and positioning of any proposed new dwelling on the Estate, prior to the start of construction;

It also ensures that all local government requirements relating to dwellings have been met, as well as requirements set out in the Wharekauhau covenants;

It must approve all landscaping plans;

It must approve any external repair or alteration to an Estate Home;

It ensures that all rules, by-lays and covenants of the Estate are adhered to;

It sets annual Estate Lot and Estate Home levies, and

It manages the relationship between the Estate Lot Owners and other stakeholders of the Estate (such as farm and Lodge).

• The General Manager of Wharekauhau Country Estate;
  
• 2x other nominees of Wharekauhau Country Estate;
  
• 1x nominated registered architect or designer;
  
• 3x representatives of the Estate Lot Owners, elected by them in an every two year ballot. After serving a two year term an Estate Lot Owner must resign from the committee and may only seek further nomination after a two-year stand-down, or in exceptional circumstances.
  

Your design must comply with the provisions of the Wairarapa Combined District Plan and the New Zealand Building Code (with special consideration given for extra-high winds and earthquake strengthening);

It must also be approved by the Design and Governance Committee in accordance with their guidelines relating to the use of quality materials, positioning, colour etc.;

If you are building within the Coastal Environment Management Area (set out in the District Plan, and applying to all Estate Lots situated South of Wharekauhau Road), you will need to apply to South Wairarapa District Council for resource consent to comply with issues specific to Wharekauhau Country Estate (the Estate can help you with this process);

Estate Homes must be greater than 138 square metres (1,500 square feet) in living area (i.e. garages are not included in this area);

Carports are not permitted by the covenants, however garages may be attached or unattached to the dwelling;

Free-standing clothes lines are not permitted, but clotheslines attached to a structure may be permitted if screened from view;

Small satellite dishes are permitted, but should be sited so as to be unobtrusive;

No caravans, motor homes, campervans, RVs, boats, ATVs, quads, golf carts or similar recreation or towed vehicles may be be stored on an Estate Lot other than in a garage.

No huts, tents, sheds or outbuildings (other than a garage) can be erected on your Estate Lot except for temporary work sheds used for storage or toilet during construction, and which must be removed immediately on practical completion; If a dwelling has an attached garage, an unattached studio or workshop may be approved by the DGC if its design meets the design guidelines.

Above ground water tanks are not permitted, however underground water tanks are.

Yes, you can, provided that your pets aren't a nuisance to other Estate users;

If a pet is outside your fenced area it must be under strict control at all times. This means that cats cannot roam, and dogs must be leashed when outside your property;

Wharekauhau is a working farm and a bird conservation area, so stock and birdlife must never be put under any threat or stress from pets;

All laws and regulations regarding pets must be adhered to;

In order to protect the welfare of stock, all pets must be inoculated in accordance with the requirements of the Farm Manager;

Certain dangerous and fighting dog breeds, such as pit bull terriers, are prohibited on the Estate, If you are unsure if your dog is in this category, please contact the General Manager.

ENCUMBRANCE WORDING: Restriction on renting Estate Homes: Lease, rent or grant any occupation rights over or in respect of the Land, Estate Home or any improvements on the Land to any person (unless a relative who shall be permitted to stay as of right) at any time without the prior written consent of the DGC and then only on the basis that such occupation, if approved, does not exceed 6 months of continuous rented occupation and does not in any circumstances, in the reasonable opinion of the DGC, compete with the principal business of the Wharekauhau Lodge in encouraging guests to stay at the Wharekauhau Country Lodge and the Cottages and that all restrictions and rules relevant to the Land are made known to such persons who must agree to abide fully by their terms, and the DGC will if required by the Encumbrancee arrange all such leasings, rentings, tenancies or occupancies through the agency of the Encumbrancee upon such basis as the DGC may reasonably require to ensure security and observance of the rules under this Encumbrance and the Land Covenants. 
LONG TERM - 6 months and less. Must be approved by DGC, unless a relative of the owning party(s)
SHORT TERM - Contact General Manager - Richard Rooney - to discuss situation.

Wharekauhau is a working sheep and beef cattle farm so once occupied, your property must be fenced off from the grazing paddocks and public areas with an approved farm fence.

Before construction commences on any estate lot three-sides of the pre-approved fence must be constructed, with an approved temporary fence along the open face to allow construction traffic.

Road frontage must be the mandated 4 rail post and rail fencing as set out in Design Guidelines

The Estate will not contribute to fencing costs, however, if you have a neighbour you should be able to negotiate over the dividing fence.

All estate lots with dwellings must be fenced to the boundary of their section.