Ellis buys into a luxury lifestyle

Matiatia Bay on Waiheke Island

Former All Black and radio host Marc Ellis and his jewellery designer wife Agustina Mon have bought a slice of paradise.

The couple have purchased a headland site overlooking Matiatia Bay on Waiheke Island.

The expansive and vacant 1.15ha site, with a large building platform, is in the gated community of Matiatia Estate.

The property, which has 270 degree views of Auckland, the Hauraki Gulf and islands, and Matiatia Bay, has an official valuation of $1,760,000 but Ellis and Mon bought it by tender in January for $1,650,000.

Ellis was coy this week about his purchase but agreed it was a spectacular property.

"We like it, but I don't really want to talk about the plans I have for my house or my properties," he said.

Agustina Mon and Marc Ellis paid $1.65 million for their site overlooking Matiatia Bay on Waiheke Island.

The father-of-two would not be drawn on whether his family would remain living at their central Auckland house or would eventually move to the island while he commuted to his early morning job as More FM breakfast host.

The large site has a protected native reserve and is understood to contain two archeological sites - thought to be Maori cooking or rubbish pits.

Both the sites are some distance from the large central building platform.

The previous owners had grand plans for a waka-inspired home on the site, in keeping with the history of Matiatia Bay - the Maori word amatiatia means outrigger.

But Tricia Clark and Chris Thomas let their resource consent lapse as they focused on their business.

Clark said the property was "absolutely amazing", especially at night when the lights of the city could be seen.

"We were disappointed we had to sell, but I am thrilled Marc bought the property because I know he will do something wonderful there," she said.