- Donna and Ray Littin’s Greenhithe home, once known as “Rio de Greenhithe”, has a rich history.
- The Littins have updated and expanded the house, now called the Eagle’s Nest, with stylish decor.
- Ray Littin’s passion for sailing included involvement in New Zealand’s America’s Cup campaigns.
If walls could talk, 24 Austin Road, in Auckland’s Greenhithe, would serve up some juicy stories about the early days of Radio Hauraki with a good side dollop of America’s Cup gossip.
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Owners Donna and Ray Littin bought the former bach in 1982. Back then, it was known as a party house, with locals dubbing it “Rio de Greenhithe”.
Donna, in her early 20s at the time, was a big fan of Radio Hauraki’s Kevin Black, AKA Blackie, and she was delighted to hear the stories of Blackie along with the pirate radio station’s founders partying in their home.
“I loved Radio Hauraki back then. I listened to it as a little girl and the Hauraki connection really appealed to me.”
The view from the house is outstanding. Photo / Supplied
Owner Donna Littin has kept the interiors stylish and up to date. Photo / Supplied
The vendor warned them they might find some unusual items in the kitchen when they moved in, and they did. “There were some little weird cupboards,” Donna told OneRoof, although they had long been emptied of whatever dubious treasure they’d held.
Donna was “smum” [step-mum] to three children and as the family grew, so did the house. “I’ve always said it’s the house that grew,” she said. “We added to it here and there. It went out and it went up.”
Being a stylist, Donna ensured that the additions worked well with the existing home and kept the decor up to date as the years passed. The enlarged home took on a new name, the Eagle’s Nest, thanks to its prominent position at the top of the suburb and Donna’s love of birdlife
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Husband Ray’s passion was sailing, though, and he became involved in New Zealand’s America’s Cup campaigns. When New Zealand mounted its first America’s Cup defence in Auckland in 2000, it was the Littin family boat, Eagle, that was chosen as the squadron’s committee boat. Ray also built the Scotsman, the committee boat for the following America’s Cup campaign.
Donna told OneRoof that what she loved most about the home was its ability to capture the light. “We have sunrises, we have sunsets, and pretty much every room gets a view. There’s even a view from the upstairs loo,” she said.
Donna styled the home for its marketing campaign herself, even though she gets teased by her family for folding the ends of the toilet rolls into triangles. “I get so much stick for that,” she said, although she’s keen to point out that those special touches work on a subconscious level. “The way you make a bed, the way you put your cushions – it has an effect.”
The Littins’ boat, centre, during one of New Zealand’s America’s Cup campaigns. Photo / Supplied
Former Radio Hauraki DJ Kevin Black in 2011. He was known to party at the Littin house when it was known as Rio de Greenhithe. Photo / Steven Nicholl
Ray White agent Frazer Mackenzie-Johnson, who is taking the house to auction on December 14, said it was a “postmodern delight”.
“One of our vendors is a capable and highly regarded interior designer who has created some amazing spaces,” he said.
“You could utilise up to four living areas in this house. All four compass points – north, east, south, west. There is a sitting area with a view in every part of the house.”
From those compass points are impressive views. The views start with Herald Island, the Hobsonville Marina, and RNZAF Base Auckland. On a good day, there is a grandstand view across Kauri Point to the Waitakere ranges and Muriwai. “Nautical and aeronautical fans would love this property,” Mackenzie-Johnson said.
- 24 Austin Road, Greenhithe, Auckland, goes to auction on December 14
