Fight over, property for sale

Former Puketapu kiwifruit orchardist Rod Wellwood says he has moved on from his stoush with the BNZ, has settled with it, and placed his idyllic Puketapu lifestyle property on the market "on my own terms".

Hawke's Bay Today reported Mr Wellwood's plight in November last year, when he said: "They are throwing me out on the street, penniless, at age 77 - I will stay to protect the debris of my dreams.

"This place won't be worth a hell of a lot if they go ahead, because they won't get vacant possession - they'll have to throw me out."

A low property valuation on a newly purchased adjoining orchard in 2006 - before kiwifruit prices were in a dip - meant the lone-creditor bank foreclosed. Proposals to turn around the orchard, second in the 2010 Hawke's Bay Grower of the Year competition, seemed to fall on deaf ears.

The house had been offered as security on the orchard.

Mr Wellwood said last year he would refuse to go peaceably.

He is not sure what he will do next.

"The bank no longer has an interest in the property and it is time to move on - it's a bit silly living by myself in a five-bedroom house."

The 0.8ha property borders the Tutaekuri River and the architect-designed home has two garages and two bathrooms. Property Brokers is marketing it.