SCHOOL ZONES:
Riverview and Kerikeri primary schools, Kerikeri High School
CONTACT:
Andrea Heger, Harcourts, 027 5800 009
Keen riders and animal lovers, Russell Jones and Amber Tamaho have configured the living areas of their country home near Kerikeri so they can see all their livestock without having to go outside.
The couple, both former competitive eventers, moved from their Waiuku property to Kerikeri in 2006, bringing 30 horses with them.
They had been in the area for a weekend and liked the climate, as well being so close to the Bay of Islands. That prompted the search for a suitable property.
This land had been used for a riding school, hence the name of their road -- Equestrian Drive. They bought the property and consulted an architect who drew up the plan to convert the riding school's board-and-batten building into their home.
"We stripped it back and changed the internal and exterior walls and modernised the whole building through 2008 and 2009," Russell says.
Exterior walls are now Hardiplank with plaster finish. Inside walls were gibbed and painted.
They put in a new kitchen, bathroom, electrics and plumbing.
By their master bedroom suite, at one end of the house, they added a deck and spa with access from both their bedroom and en suite. The living area is in the middle of the home, the other two bedrooms are at the other end. The only room at the back of the house is the laundry.
Russell says: "Amber always wanted a property where she could see all her land from the house so when we renovated we put all windows completely down the front of it, big bi-folds and windows everywhere so she could see her animals all the time without having to go out and check on them."
They also have a view to the hills in front of the home. "And we have planted a whole lot of poplars to screen the neighbours. Kerikeri has a lot of shelter belts and we are protected on all sides.
"The home is really easy to live in, it all faces north. We have a fire but we only light two or three fires a year more for atmosphere than for warmth. In the summer it seems to be quite cool."
Also on the property are a covered arena with commercial night lights, all-weather arena, a round pen for training young horses, a wash bay and a tie-up area.
"Our big covered arena faces south and, coming from Auckland I didn't understand that, but having lived in Kerikeri now, it gets quite warm and that arena facing south is a real bonus. If the covered arena was facing the other way, it would be way too hot in the summer. Yet it is entirely adequate in the winter. "
The couple have sold off some of their land since they moved here and now have 2.67ha "ideal for about three horses", Russell says.
"We still ride but we haven't competed for quite some time. And we have a whole lot of alpacas and other animals."
The fencing is post and rail. "Amber has dogs and they run free within our boundaries because it is all dog-proofed, which makes it really handy."
The property's landscaping is more about trees than gardens, designed for the practicalities of meeting the needs of horse lovers. The driveway is lined with liquidambars and has a big roundabout and generous parking in the front for cars and floats.
But Russell says it doesn't have to be a horse property; there are lots of other possibilities.
They are on tank supply and also on the Kerikeri irrigation system. "We get an allocation of water that feeds the farm and we run it to our outside toilet, which is handy when you are riding or working outside."
In their spare time, the couple go fishing in the Bay of Islands.
"The water is only 10 minutes away, to probably the best fishing there is and we often see the dolphins out there," he says. "The Bay of Islands is just the most fabulous boating area. We are also just 10 minutes from town." The bus stop is at the top of the street.
"The north is a wonderful place. We have had a lot of Aucklanders moving up here recently, two of our sections were bought by Aucklanders. Kerikeri is moving forward now."
Russell and Amber are selling as they want to buy some bare land and "start from scratch again". Russell commutes to his job in Auckland but returns for weekends.
"Kerikeri is the place I want to live," he says. "Such a beautiful place."
