What is a House and Land Package?
A house and land package is a single contract that bundles the purchase of a residential section with the construction of a new home on that section. One signed deal covers both sides — the developer or builder coordinates the land settlement and the build, and you pay in stages rather than two separate transactions.
How house and land packages work in New Zealand
In a typical NZ house and land package, the developer owns or controls a piece of land (often a residential subdivision) and partners with a builder — or a panel of builders — to offer a turn-key or build-as-you-go path for buyers.
At Strathmore Park, that means you pick one of our 77 Stage 1 sections, then choose one of our 8 preferred Building Partners (Sentinel, Latitude, Generation, Flowerday, Heartland, Ultimate Builders, Bennett, SW Homes). Each partner has their own home designs and price points. The developer handles the section sale; the builder handles the construction; you sign one set of contracts that bridges both sides.
Turn-key vs build-as-you-go
Turn-key means the builder owns the land through construction, you pay deposits along the way, and you settle and take ownership only when the home is finished. No progress payments on a half-built house.
Build-as-you-go means you settle on the land first, then progress-pay your builder through construction like a custom build.
Strathmore Park sits between these, using a 10/40/50 payment structure: 10% deposit on signing, 40% on possession (or six months after deposit, whichever is earlier), and 50% on settlement at title. Cash flow is predictable and you're not exposed to a developer who's carrying your build on their balance sheet.
Pros and cons
Pros
- One coordinated contract, not two
- Predictable payment structure
- Eligible for KiwiSaver first-home withdrawal
- Brand-new, current building standards
- Builder's warranty included
Cons
- Choice constrained to the builder panel
- Customisation limited vs full custom build
- 6–12 months wait to move in
- Subject to development's design covenants
At Strathmore Park, Tokoroa
Strathmore Park's Stage 1 has 77 sections. 26 lots across Stages 1–4 are designated Affordable Homes — capped at $550,000 (including GST) under the South Waikato District Council mandate. To qualify as Affordable, a home must be at least 85m² with two or more bedrooms and an enclosed garage. Above the Affordable tier, pricing varies by section size and builder selection.
House and Land Packages — FAQ
What is a house and land package in plain English?
A house and land package is a single deal that bundles two things: a residential section, and the construction of a new home on that section. You sign one set of documents instead of two — one to buy the land and one to build. The developer or builder coordinates both sides.
What's the difference between a house and land package and a turn-key build?
Turn-key is one type of house and land package. With turn-key, you pay deposits along the way but the build is finished by the time you settle and move in. With a build-as-you-go package, you settle on the land first, then progress-pay through construction. Strathmore Park uses the 10/40/50 structure that sits between these.
Are house and land packages cheaper than buying separately?
They're usually faster and simpler — not necessarily cheaper. The savings come from coordination (no juggling two solicitors, two contracts, two timelines) and from the developer's relationship with the builder (volume pricing, shared site costs). Buying separately gives you maximum freedom but you eat the coordination cost yourself.
Can I customise the home in a house and land package?
Yes, within the builder's range and the development's design rules. At Strathmore Park you choose one of our 8 partner builders, then work with that builder on layout, finishes, and any allowable customisation. Most builders have plans you can pick from, with optional upgrades.
Do house and land packages qualify for First Home Grant / KiwiSaver?
Yes — house and land packages count as new builds for the purposes of first-home assistance schemes in NZ, including the KiwiSaver First Home Withdrawal and (when applicable) First Home Loan support. The build must meet the relevant price caps for your region. See first-home-buyer-support-nz for the current rules.
See what a package looks like in practice
Stage 1 at Strathmore Park is selling now — register interest for the current sales plan.