Masterton District Council — Property Due Diligence Guide
Masterton District Council serves the largest town in the Wairarapa, with a population of approximately 28,000. Masterton is the commercial and service hub for the wider Wairarapa region, offering a full range of town amenities including a hospital, secondary schools, and retail.
Quick Facts
Useful Links
How to Order a LIM Report
Contact Masterton District Council directly to order a LIM. Standard processing takes 10 working days.
Masterton LIMs cover building consents, resource consents, rates, zoning, and natural hazards. The Wairarapa Fault is a major hazard feature for the district. Flood mapping for the Waipoua River and Ruamahanga River is also important.
For properties in older parts of town, check the building consent history carefully. Some older homes may have had unconsented work, which would be important to identify before purchase.
District Plan Zones
Masterton's District Plan includes these key zones:
- Residential Zone: Masterton township and surrounding suburbs
- Commercial Zone: Town centre and commercial areas
- Rural Zone: Farming, forestry, and pastoral land
- Rural Lifestyle Zone: Lifestyle blocks near town
- Industrial Zone: Industrial areas on the outskirts
- Deferred Residential Zone: Future urban growth areas
Masterton has identified growth areas to accommodate increasing population and housing demand.
Natural Hazards
Masterton's natural hazard profile includes:
- Seismic activity: The Wairarapa Fault runs near Masterton. The 1855 Wairarapa earthquake had its epicentre in this area and remains one of New Zealand's largest recorded earthquakes.
- Flooding: The Waipoua River runs through Masterton, and the Ruamahanga River flows nearby, both creating flood risk. Flood protection works are in place but some areas remain vulnerable.
- Drought: Summer drought is common in the Wairarapa, affecting water supplies and rural properties.
- Land instability: Minimal in the flat town centre, but the surrounding hills and river terraces can be affected.
Building Consent & Code Compliance
Building consent is processed by Masterton District Council with a standard 20 working day target.
Masterton's role as the Wairarapa's main service town means it processes the highest consent volumes in the region. Growth in new subdivisions has increased consent demand in recent years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Masterton a good entry point to the Wairarapa property market?
Masterton offers the most affordable property in the Wairarapa and has the widest range of services and amenities. It has more housing stock and variety than the smaller Wairarapa towns. The trade-off is that it is furthest from Wellington (about 90 minutes by car). The Wairarapa rail line connects to Wellington via Featherston.
What is the earthquake risk in Masterton?
The Wairarapa Fault, which produced the magnitude 8.2 earthquake in 1855, runs near Masterton. This is a significant seismic risk. Check the LIM for any fault hazard overlays and earthquake-prone building notices. Ensure any property is adequately insured for earthquake damage.
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