Welcome to the history of Rowesdale.

This page will hopefully allow you a better understanding of why Rowesdale is different than other residential developments in regard to the passion,  the pride and the responsibility  the owners (Who are also the developers of Rowesdale) have taken to produce this special piece of Tauranga.

The history of the land has been a major factor in the very high level of quality achieved in Rowesdale.

At the beginning of the 20th century the area now called Ohauiti was developed and named the Bank Run. The Bank Run was bounded by the Waimapu and Katiemako streams and ran all the way up to Mt Misery. (A total of nine thousand seven hundred acres.)

It was a major undertaking for the original developers. Miles of fences were erected & substantial buildings were placed strategically throughout the land.

It was planned as a huge and successful farming operation. Unfortunately due to a cobalt deficiency, the Run failed to live up to expectation and soon with hundreds of cattle falling away in condition, the entire area was put aside for disposal.

In 1910 Herbert James Rowe seeing the potential in the land stepped in and purchased Ohauiti (the Bank Run) from the Bank of Australasia. Then after the 1914 - 1918 War they sold a large portion to the Government to settle returned serviceman.
Unfortunately due to the low cobalt issues many of these returned servicemen struggled to farm their land and went broke. 

In 1919 Herbert's son, Jack Rowe purchased approx 192 acres (now Rowesdale) and in 1945 another 400 acres around Mt Misery and the end of Rowes Rd off his father.

Jack Rowe had two sons Bernie and Frank who together with their father continued to break in the bush country, overcame the issues surrounding the cobalt deficiency & developing what is now very productive farm land.

In 1953 Bernie purchased the 192 acres (including what is now Rowesdale) and has farmed this land in the lower area of Ohauiti for over 50 years.

Bernie married Alison in 1962 and they were blessed with five sons and two daughters. Bernie and Alison are now directors (along with sons Kevin, Grant, Phillip and Mervyn) of Rowesdale.

Tauranga has become a very popular city and gradually the Tauranga City boundary's expanded to take in the farming property in Ohauiti and Bernie and Alison's farm.
At this stage the Tauranga District Council stepped in and purchased 10 acres of prime land off Bernie and Alison to be used as a recreational reserve. (This is still to be developed but with the plans already drawn up this will further enhance the beauty of Rowesdale.)

So in 1997 the decision was made to replace the cows with people and so commenced the development of Rowesdale subdivision.

Rowesdale Developments is a family operation & all aspects of the land development and marketing are overseen by the directors. Bernie Rowe comments, "The long history and many beautiful memories that the family has shared with this special piece of land demands that our family create the highest quality of development possible that befits the integrity and respect we have for it."

Hence you will find the land still remains the key feature through Rowesdale. Many designated green reserves and streams have been retained. We have also developed multiple walkways that all link so that the new community can continue to enjoy this beautiful place.

Rowesdale is now home for over 300 households and when completed will accommidate approximately 456 households.

The Rowe family would love for you to come and visit the land that is a huge part of our history and invite you to become part of its future.