“We often see whales and dolphins”: Mangawhai Heads home has space, views and land

What was intended to be a holiday home promptly turned into a permanent residence for Lindy and Graham MacDonald.

Their property at 12 Pakiri Way, Mangawhai Heads held too much appeal for them to ever leave, putting urban life well behind them to relish the lifestyle the property and its surrounds presented them with.

It was the view, that Lindy says first drew them to the property.

“It changes all the time, there’s always something happening. In a way, it is a triple view with the estuary, the spectacular native bush and the curve of the coast. We’ll often see whales and dolphins, its extraordinary.”

Their superbly designed two-level home, Lindy admits, needed little work, so the couple spent their focus on developing the immense 4450sqm site.

The addition of an outdoor heated mineral pool, framed with timber decking, shaped hedges and an outdoor fire create an exceptional outdoor entertaining area, where Lindy says they spend most of their time in the summer.

Extensive landscaping has included feijoa, quince, lemon and lime trees balancing the outdoor area and contrasting with the native bush in the property’s backdrop.

It has been an exceptionally easy house to live in for the pair, which Lindy puts down to good design and thoughtful layout.

The home has an outstanding capacity to host their growing extended family.

With almost all of the living upstairs, downstairs allows for guest accommodation and independent space for family and friends, which includes a bedroom with kitchenette.

Fronted by glass to allow every inch of the flawless view, behind which, a large open plan kitchen and living area flow onto a private deck. On the same level, the master bedroom incorporates sea views, an ensuite and a study. The home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double garage.

The home and its locale have supported an easy transition to a remarkable way of life for the couple.

“We’re a 200-metre walk to the estuary, a short walk to the markets, and the golf course is two kilometres away,” Lindy says.

“Often on a Saturday, we’ll head to one of the local vineyards, Brook Lane or Te Whai and watch live music and sample local wines. The location is second to none.”

The property, to be sold at auction on June 24, is listed by Robbie Robertson and Dianne Christensen of Bayleys, Mangawhai.

Says Dianne, “The property at Pakiri Way is one of those properties that just capture your heart. The views to the estuary, sandspit and ocean are captivating.

“The inground heated pool is the icing on the cake, and the outdoor entertaining area completes the picture. It is also an easy stroll across the road to the estuary.

“A word of advice, you will need to be careful because once friends are here they may not want to leave.”