For Auckland couple Jamie and Monique, it wasn’t just the opportunity to build a bespoke dream home that compelled them to purchase this Upper Waiwera section, but a chance to raise their three young kids immersed in the beauty of nature.
“Living rural is something I have always dreamed of with my children. I grew up residential but my grandparents owned 60 acres in Dairy Flat, so I got the best of living in suburbia but got to hang out at my grandparents’ house. We had a pet sheep there and we would camp on the farm,” Monique says.
“We weren’t actually looking to move, we’d only been in our house that we built in Millwater maybe 18 months, but then I saw this place and thought, ‘oooh!’.”
The resplendent 2.47-hectare property enjoys an elevated position set in the rolling countryside, with expansive bush and valley views. Uniquely, it’s also one of the small pockets of New Zealand that’s home to kookaburra, which sit on the property’s large gum trees.
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25 Bayer Road in Puhoi, Rodney, is on the market for sale by negotiation. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom property is being marketed by Ben Gibson and Bex Murphy, of Harcourts Cooper & Co, Orewa.
“We came out to inspect the land and stood and looked at the view – that night had a beautiful sunset and I thought, ‘I can just picture large windows, a wood fire and a really big L-shaped couch looking down at this view. That is what I want’," Monique says.
While the process was a journey for the family, the experience cemented their decision to move to the country.
The homeowners worked with Jenna Munro, from Formspace, to bring their vision for their new home to life. Photo / Supplied
The home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and was built to make the most of the views and natural light. Photo / Supplied
“It was a blank piece of land but had a shed on it, so we purchased it and moved into the minor dwelling with our then two kids. It was only 40 square metres-ish of living space.
“We did lockdowns here but we had so much room outside that the kids just wanted to be out there. We got lambs so the kids would go and play with them – I’ve got photos of my daughter asleep on the floor of her room with her lamb in a sleeping bag.”
The couple worked with Jenna Munro from Formspace to bring the vision for their new home to life, which Jamie then built. Sprawling out over a single level and configured to maximise natural light, sun and the lush outlook, the vertical shiplap cedar, black painted brick and black longrun roofing construction blends seamlessly into the pristine natural setting.
“We’d built a few houses before, so we had an idea of what were our non-negotiables were. I knew I wanted high ceilings and a pavilion-style design. It’s like a H shape and we’ve made provisions for a pool in the middle.”
Stunning interiors showcase a pared back elegance that is robust enough for family life and large-scale entertaining. The expansive living and dining space is open plan and the chef’s kitchen is complemented with an enormous scullery. The family room offers essential separation for kids and other practical additions include a double garage, a 40sqm attic, a private office, laundry and separate mudroom.
“I had always played it super safe at every other house that we’d built and this time I wanted something a bit different. We have burnished concrete floors in the kitchen and black, finger-print resistant and blonded oak cabinetry. The same solid concrete of the benchtop is also used around the fireplace,” Monique says.
“In our bedroom we did a green feature wall which ties in with the greenstone green concrete basin in the ensuite, which I sourced from a little New Zealand company down the line. The kids chose the colour that they wanted in their rooms and I picked the shade that I could handle.”
The 2.47ha property is one of the small pockets in New Zealand that’s home to kookaburra, which sit on the property’s large gum trees. Photo / Supplied
The expansive living and dining space is open plan and the chef’s kitchen is complemented with an enormous scullery. Photo / Supplied
While the property enjoys the ultimate in serenity and privacy, it still enjoys a sense of connection with neighbours, says Monique.
“I always thought that when you moved rural, you’d be quite isolated but we’ve got an awesome little community. Five families down the street all catch the bus to and from Wainui School together every day.”
Silverdale and all its shops, eateries and transport is also an easy drive away. “It only takes me 18 minutes to get to the gym.”
The shed is large enough to accommodate all the toys and the attached sleepout that the family once lived in has a heat pump, mezzanine storage and a consented bathroom – perfect for a home office or to accommodate the in-laws or friends.
Monique, Jamie and the kids are now following the migration north and heading to Mangawhai to be closer to family.
Listing agent Ben Gibson, of Harcourts, who is marketing the property with Bex Murphy, says, “it’s one of those homes that when you’re going through, you can’t fault it. It’s so beautiful. In terms of buyer interest, he’s had a split so far. I’ve got families coming in who are keen on Wainui School, which is really highly sought-after, but then I’ve got those a couple of stages in life later, who have grandkids coming out for the weekend.
“The first weekend of open homes had more groups visit than one of my million-dollar listings, which shows the interest in such quality over that 2-million-dollar mark.”
- Sponsored by Harcourts
