The $17 million beachfront estate where Miss NZ contestants lounged in 1965 seeks new owner

As the women dangled their legs in her swimming pool, Lisa Beazley gazed over in wonder.

It was 1965 and eight-year-old Beazley watched on as 13 contestants of the Miss New Zealand contest milled around the backyard of her family’s beachfront home.

It was a warm day out in the North Island neighbourhood of Tauranga in New Zealand and the women, in swimsuits and impressive beehive hairdos, had reclined by the pool.

“Mum had done some modelling and was delighted to be asked to host a Miss NZ contest,” Beazley told OneRoof of her mother, Doreen.   

Yet, to Beazley’s surprise, despite the weather, no one was keen to take a dip.

“Of course they didn’t, because of the beehives,” she added.

The Beazleys have owned the property on Oceanbeach Road in Mount Maunganui since the 1950s.

Beazley’s father, Barry – a pioneering home builder –  paid about £10,000 for the land. In today’s money that’s about $630,000.

Both her parents turned the property into a luxury estate. 

In its heyday it had lush gardens and the area’s first kidney-shaped resort-style pool with a diving board, slide and hot spring spa, the media outlet claimed.

It’s been more than 60 years since that auspicious day by the pool, and more than 70 years since the Beazley family have called the property home. 

These days, the swimming pool is long gone. Now, her family estate, which spans 4866sqm across three titles, is up for sale.

“This is an unrivalled property, a chance to create a world-class coastal masterpiece or to subdivide and deliver a collection of landmark residences,” the listing reads.

“Adding to its charm, the property also features an original 1950s home of 208sqm, offering three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living rooms and a wrap-around deck overlooking the ocean.”

Beazley told OneRoof the decision to sell was a difficult one, but that the timing is right.

The property, which is valued at about $NZ20 million ($17 million), is on the market with Peter Clarke from Bayleys.

The property is on the market through a tender. Private inspections only.