This lifestyle block has been home to Mike and Annemarie Horgan and daughter Olivia for more than a decade. But even better it has been home to extended family, too: Annemarie's sister and her son.
Mike and Annemarie have always liked Taupaki. It is close to the westcoast beaches and a commutable distance from Auckland's CBD for Mike's work.
They were already living in the district when they bought this property.
"We were just in Nelson Rd before and we moved here for a bit more land and, because it was north-facing, it gets all day sun," says Mike. "The other place would lose the sun so early."
What did they like about his property? "Everything," says Mike. "The two acres were perfect for us. As soon as we looked at this place, it felt like a family home."
"And the landscaping, the trees, and the pond," adds Annemarie. "Also, I was able to have my sister live on the property. We have a workshop, which has two-bedroom accommodation. It was good being able to be close to her."
"Annemarie's sister liked it as much as we did," says Mike. "And she has raised her boy here, he's 5 now."
The Horgans' house was architecturally designed for the previous owners. And the workshop with two-bedroom accommodation, follows the style of the main home.
In their time, Mike and Annemarie have added stables for their daughter's horse, the in-ground pool in front of the home and a louvre system above the front deck for shade and shelter.
"That is right by the pool," says Mike. "You can open or close the louvres depending on how much sun you want. When it gets baking hot, we just close the louvres so it is a lot cooler.
"We have added a bit more to the gardens but they were already beautifully done. That is why they are so well established."
323 Annandale Road, Taupaki. Photo / Supplied
Annemarie describes their property as a family sanctuary. "Olivia was 6 when we moved here so she was able to have chickens, goats, sheep."
The top level of their brick and Hardiplank home has one bedroom with balcony and en suite, plus a study.
The ground level, with heated flooring throughout has two bedrooms, the lounge, dining/kitchen and bathroom. Windows are double glazed on the south side for extra warmth and there is also a heat pump.
The sunken lounge opens out to the entertainment area and to the pool, as does the open area from the dining room.
323 Annandale Road, Taupaki. Photo / Supplied
Outside, the land is divided into three paddocks. A man-made pond with jetty add a visual point of interest and the garden is landscaped around it.
A popular aspect of the property is the 50m-long flying fox, a hit with both children and adults. "After a few wines, everyone seems to get on it," says Mike. And, adds Olivia, there's a cool treehouse for the kids, too.
When the family is not at home, they head for the nearby cafes, wineries and the beach. "We go to Bethells and Muriwai and it's not too far," says Mike. "Annemarie likes shopping at Albany. That takes 25 minutes."
Annemarie says there is a decile 10 school within walking distance. "It is still quite countrified, just a small number of kids and that includes intermediate."
323 Annandale Road, Taupaki. Photo / Supplied
They are selling to move to a larger lifestyle block.
"The place we are going to is 10 acres, as our daughter wants a few horses," says Mike. "But it is still in the area. We like the area so much."
They say this is an ideal property for a large or extended family.
"If we were to stay here, Annemarie's parents might have moved in next door," says Mike.
"We are close to the city but far enough to get away and relax in the country. I work in the city and it's 25 minutes for me to get to work.
