The phrase ‘labour of love’ is bandied about too often but is a good descriptor for this Puhoi property’s evolution, which started in earnest 21 years ago.
Peter, who was single when he commenced the lengthy project, says: “I bought this bungalow from a house-moving company in 2003. It was still onsite in its original position in Greenhithe but couldn’t stay there because a motorway was planned. I definitely liked the look and sturdiness of it. And I knew it would work well on the building platform I had planned.”
Peter found Puhoi land relatively affordable back then, compared to developing areas such as Silverdale, Dairy Flat and Coatesville. He bought 10.25 hectares of former deer farm.
Since then he’s married and had children, thoroughly overhauling the bungalow with the help of his builder dad and wife Jane. They’ve recently added a minor dwelling and garaging, plus they’ve built a separate studio-office and a big garage-shed with carport.
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“It’s been a lot of work but now all the hard work has been done and it’s ready to just enjoy. I’d describe the bungalow now as a modern take on an older character home.”
Their marathon of work included moving tonnes of earth to create the substantial level area which houses the buildings, leaving plenty of extra room to tow a boat around. “It’s a pretty, tranquil block with lovely green views which will never be built out and no immediate neighbours.”
The re-sited bungalow had scrim and ancient newspaper within its walls and no insulation. “I can remember Jane sitting inside with her ski jacket and beanie on, blowing fog as she breathed.”
They’ve renovated and re-configured, re-roofed, re-piled, re-plumbed, re-wired, thoroughly insulated and extended.
A deep, covered wrap-around veranda provides shade for the north-facing 150sqm-plus home.
The modern kitchen is well-lit and spacious.
A deep, covered wrap-around veranda provides shade for the north-facing 150sqm-plus home, which has central heating throughout. Character charm endures with the picturesque weatherboard exterior, some exposed matai flooring, multi-paned windows and some rooms with a three-metre stud height.
A separate lounge with wetback fireplace which neighbours a modern kitchen and family dining area. The family bathroom and separate laundry are nearby. The rest of the floorplan is currently set up as a three-bedroom home including a generous master with smart ensuite plus an additional second lounge.
The recently completed 65sqm minor dwelling topping triple high-stud garaging is a good distance from the bungalow. It could suit rental, guests or extended family. Its smart kitchen-living-dining room, opening to a partially covered north-facing deck, accompany a bedroom and bathroom.
The additional, separate 56sqm two-car garage-shed with attached, drive-through single carport plus the quaint free-standing one-room office, studio or playhouse round out the facilities.
On the 10.25ha section is a main residence, a 65sqm minor dwelling atop a triple garage, a 56sqm two-car garage-shed with an attached single carport and a quaint free-standing one-room office, studio or playhouse.
The bungalow has been renovated and re-configured, re-roofed, re-piled, re-plumbed, re-wired, thoroughly insulated and extended.
The fully fenced grounds include a gazebo ideal for a spa pool, four paddocks connected to water via a dam and some covenanted bush.
128 Tunnel Road in Puhoi, Rodney, is on the market for sale by auction on September 29. The lifestyle property has a 2021 CV of $1.55 million and, according to OneRoof data, the 10.25ha section sold in 2002 for $185,000.
They can’t speak highly enough of Puhoi’s friendly community, where they’ve made many close friends and people kindly drop round meals if they’re sick. They’re about six minutes’ drive from the centre of Puhoi (and the Puhoi pub and monthly community market) and eight minutes from the motorway heading north or south. Warkworth and Orewa are about 20 minutes’ drive or less away and Auckland’s CBD about 35 minutes’ drive off-peak.
Now two of the four sons brought up here have left home, their parents will downsize.
Harcourts agent Ben Gibson says: “This property feels like such an amazing place to grow up, get involved with the community and lead an easier life with Auckland at your doorstep.”
- Sponsored by Harcourts
