- A luxury estate in Havelock North, Tuki Meadows, is for sale, priced over $10m.
- Created by Debbie van Tiel and family, the home features European-inspired design and unique fixtures.
- The property, ideal for horse owners or car collectors, is sold fully furnished for immediate occupancy.
A country estate built with fashion guru Ralph Lauren in mind has hit the market for sale, with the vendors looking for a buyer with more than $10 million to spend.
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The four-bedroom luxury spread at 46 Euchre Way, in Havelock North, known locally as Tuki Meadows, is aiming high, with very few homes in the region selling in that price range.
Former Xero boss Rod Drury set the record when he got $12m for his luxury home in Havelock North in December 2023, while Sir Paul Holmes’ former lodge in Poukawa is still the region’s most expensive lifestyle property, selling for $5.2m in 2021.
A lot of the furniture, fixtures, fittings, including the chandeliers, were sourced from Europe. Photo / Supplied
The owners took inspiration from France, Belgium and the Netherlands for the European-inspired farmhouse. Photo / Supplied
But the listing agent selling Tuki Meadows thinks $10m-plus is an achievable target for the property.
Tuki Meadows is the brainchild of interior decorator Debbie van Tiel, her builder husband and her architect son. All three had a hand in its creation and design.
They have decided to make the “heartbreaking” decision to sell and spend more time in France, where their son lives.
Van Tiel told OneRoof she and her husband were living in Karaka, in South Auckland, when they decided to move to the sunny Hawke’s Bay. However, finding a flattish section with enough room for their horses was not easy, and it was only through their friend, Hawke’s Bay architect and developer Andy Coltart, that they were able to find out.
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Coltart told van Tiel she had to see a lifestyle section that had just come up for sale at Euchre Farm. The next weekend they flew from Auckland to Havelock North and bought the property almost instantly. That was in 2016.
“My husband always jokes that I signed the deal before my feet even hit the turf.”
Van Tiel said the “timeless” design of the house was influenced by European architecture and interior design. She said she created the home with a famous fashion designer in mind.
“We sort of thought if Ralph Lauren was going to live in the Bay on the Tuki River – a little version of what he would have.”
On one of her many visits to Europe, van Tiel unearthed a huge oak door from a stable in France. She also discovered an animal drinking trough, which is now one of the hand basins in the powder room.
The property has direct river access. Photo / Supplied
Finding a large enough section suitable for horses in the Tukituki Valley took about five years. Photo / Supplied
The family collected various fixtures and fittings during their travels and sent them back to New Zealand in shipping containers.
“We sourced beams, tiles, doors, bespoke lanterns, huge bluestone slab, chandeliers and other pieces we couldn’t resist but didn’t know where the heck they were going to go in the house.”
Van Tiel said her favourite aspect of the house was its connection with the surrounding countryside. “The fact that there are so many big windows and the views is incredible. You know you are living in the valley,” she said.
“You get the most incredible sunrises and sunsets. We are nestled between two ranges so we are quite protected from the winds. Those sorts of elements you can’t create.”
Tuki Meadows is situated in the exclusive Euchre Farm Park, which is home to around a dozen properties, many of which are owned by wealthy Americans.
Van Tiel said it had been a wonderful, idyllic place to live, but the time had come to sell. “It’s quite heartbreaking selling this house,” she said.
Bayleys listing agent Gretchen Paape told OneRoof the property was a standout home in the market.
“It would suit somebody who has horses or a car collection, an expat wanting to secure something here, trout fishermen or someone getting out of Auckland, like the vendors did.”
The house also had the bonus of being sold fully furnished so someone could just move in and enjoy.
- 46 Euchre Way, in Havelock North, Hastings, is for sale, tender closing April 16
