A river runs through it

A property for outdoors types has a trout fisherman's paradise as its backyard.

333 Mangorei Rd, Merrilands, New Plymouth.

Judging by the website hits, owner Ian Matheson says there has been a lot of overseas interest in he and partner Linda's lifestyle property on the banks of the Waiwhakaiho River.

And he's only half-joking when he says, ``a wealthy American tennis playing trout fisherman couldn't do any better''.

That statement nicely sums up the standout features of the stately property: the river full of brown trout on the boundary and the floodlit Plexipave tennis court that overlooks it.

``There's nothing quite like it,'' says Ian. ``In summer you can have a good game of tennis and jump in the river and go for a swim to cool off afterwards.''

And when Ian's out attempting to catch some of those trout, he says a magical vista opens up down the river and out to sea.

The couple bought the property in 1993 when it was about a year old and was ``95 per cent complete''. In those days, ``the tallest tree was about a metre high''. Now, graceful exotics, such as the plane trees that line the driveway, and natives provide privacy and serenity.

``That was the reason we bought; we loved the rural setting, the privacy and the river,'' says Ian. ``You feel like you're stuck in the middle of nowhere but it's only seven minutes to the centre of New Plymouth.''

And if you've tired of the river, Ian points out you can be at the beach in under 10 minutes or, in winter, up on Mt Egmont strapping your skis on within an hour.

The plaster home is over three levels and flows down the slope towards the river.
``It's designed to take advantage of the views over the river to the north. It's quite stunning,'' says Ian.

Rimu woodwork is a dominant feature throughout the house - it features in the joinery, some panelling and in the cabinetry in the kitchen and bathrooms. The open plan kitchen and dining area has distinctive black and white chequered tiling. From the kitchen area you step down to a lounge with a woodburner. Further down a hallway is another lounge.

The house also has a self-contained apartment attached to it that Ian and Linda have used as guest accommodation.
``You could make a luxury bed and breakfast out of it if you wanted to,'' says Ian

The property also has three paddocks, with the driveway from the road winding through them and up to the house.

Ian and Linda have a horse, six sheep and a flock of bantams, as well as resident quail and pheasants.

Despite having what seems like the ultimate lifestyle, Ian and Linda have decided to start again from scratch, once more in a rural setting but maybe with a slightly smaller house.

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 5

BATHROOMS: 3

GARAGES: 2

SIZE: Land 1.0002 ha, house 386sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $2 million ono.

INSPECT: By appointment.

ON THE WEB: www.open2view.com/123861

CONTACT: Robert Angus, Robert Angus Real Estate, ph (06) 759 0415 or (027) 447 9478.

FEATURES: Large home on a lifestyle property adjoining the Waiwhakaiho River with its plentiful brown trout. Also has two-bedroom apartment and Plexipave tennis court.