When we stock up on fruit and veges at the supermarket, rarely do we stop to think about where it was grown, or the land needed to grow it.
But Kirk Lowe knows. He grows and supplies veges for My Food Bag and Foodstuffs -- 52 weeks of the year. And when he goes looking for a house for his family to live in, the land it sits on is as an important part of the consideration as are the number of bedrooms or the view.
"I bought this house about a year ago," says Kirk. "I was looking for property and I normally buy land that has a bit of character. This one had views and native bush."
Kirk says where there is native bush there is usually water -- and water is all important when you're a market gardener like Kirk.
"I always buy blocks where I see there is natural water. It has natural springs coming out of the ground that forms and makes natural ponds. And there is heaps of wildlife. When you are driving up to the house there are always a lot of birds -- tui, fantail, wood pigeons, pheasants and ducks -- because you are surrounded by trees."
These 30 hectares of north-facing, gentle to rolling free-draining Patumahoe loam are exactly what this Patumahoe born-and-bred man likes.
And sitting at the top of the hill on this quiet country road -- yet only minutes away from Pukekohe -- is this home.
The views from the hilltop are amazing, looking over the countryside and as far north as Auckland, even offering a glimpse of the Skytower. "It's like building a house on top of One Tree Hill!" says Kirk.
Also there is also an old railway line running through the property, harking back, he thinks, to when the US Army used it during WWII.
Image 1 of 6: Set in a quiet area, this home has 30 hectares.
The home's layout has been carefully thought out to take advantage of those wonderful views best seen from the upper level.
On the ground level you have three bedrooms (one has access to a deck), bathroom and laundry.
Upstairs is the kitchen with its granite benchtops and all new F&P appliances, the dining area, living area, master bedroom and en suite. The living room and the master bedroom open to decks.
Slightly separate to the brick and plastered Titan board house with Decramastic roof tiles is the two-car garage (with another bedroom in this building).
The house was built by the first owner, a builder who did things well and by hand -- old school, says Kirk.
When it came to renovating inside, Kirk stayed faithful to the original theme of the house but has totally refurbishednew kitchen, new bathrooms, new decks, water system, painting, tiles.
"A whole makeover, 100 per cent. It has come up really well," he says.
Outside he tidied up the garden, replanted, dug out old fences and removed gorse on the land. Because the land is used for market gardening, there aren't many fences.
But there is an old cowshed Kirk has converted into a packing shed as well as temporary packing sheds for the produce. Previous owners who had horses had built stables and an arena.
"It is very peaceful here, quiet, no one would know the house is here.
He's selling to buy a bigger block of land and thinks this house will appeal to someone looking to retire, but the block is suited for horses, farming or cropping lifestyle.
"It is close to town but you also have the native bush and the sensational views," he says.
