The sale price of an iconic Hawke’s Bay River Lodge property has far exceeded expectations and now underpins what is the largest gift ever made to Hawke’s Bay Foundation by a single donor.

Whilst the purchase price of Val and Dick Bradshaw’s Tuki Tuki holiday home remains confidential, Tremains Real Estate (who facilitated the sale) has revealed that the property sold for more than $3M.

The generous gifting of the Canadian couple’s sale proceeds to Hawke’s Bay Foundation attracted national media interest last month, when tenders opened for the property.

In an historic move, Tremain Real Estate waived all fees and commissions on the sale and Managing Director Simon Tremain says he feels extremely honoured to have been part of the process.

“We are ecstatic to confirm the sale of 1308F Tuki Tuki Road. Tremains has a long standing connection to Hawke’s Bay and to supporting the Hawke’s Bay community, and it’s been a privilege to align with this historic sale process. We’re really proud of our sales consultants Susie Sturt and Jarrod Lowe who worked tirelessly on this campaign and have walked away from the sale waiving their commission for the greater good.” 

Simon believes public interest in the tender served the Bradshaws well.

“There’s been a noticeable recent increase in buyer activity in the higher end property market in Hawke’s Bay, which, along with the media exposure around this story, helped us to achieve both the number of tenders and the price that we did.

“I think once the buyer understood that the bid they were putting in is effectively going to an organisation as worthy and robust as Hawke’s Bay Foundation, they had to feel pretty good about that.”

Hearing the news late last week, Val and Dick Bradshaw are both ‘over the moon’.

“We are so grateful to Susie and Jarrod for shepherding us through this process so professionally and are absolutely delighted with the end result.”

Canadian-based Val and Dick Bradshaw visited Hawke’s Bay for several months each year and were drawn to the region and the property for its beauty, fishing and easy access to the outdoors. Over the past 20 years they made enduring Kiwi friendships and quietly contributed to the Hawke’s Bay community in many ways.

Close friend and Hawke’s Bay Foundation Trustee Jules Nowell-Usticke says the couple know the importance of legacy gifting to their community. 

“Being closely connected with the Vancouver Foundation with Dick as former Deputy Chair, they understand the incredible impact that Community Foundations can have on communities.

“By generously leaving this gift to Hawke’s Bay Foundation, they know it will hugely benefit many of our own charities for years to come.”

The Bradshaws have left it up to the discretion of Hawke’s Bay Foundation to assess where their gift will be best distributed. 

Hawke’s Bay Foundation Executive Officer Amy Bowkett is proud to act as caretaker of their legacy.

“Their donation will be protected in perpetuity with our Distributions Committee directing the earnings generated each year to the areas of greatest need in Hawke’s Bay. We’re definitely going to miss having Dick and Val visit but it’s so heart-warming knowing that their memory will live on through their generosity towards this community which they loved dearly.

“Theirs is truly ‘a gift that keeps on giving’ and their legacy will make a profound difference to many lives in Hawke’s Bay for generations to come.”