SCHOOL ZONES:
Whangaparaoa School, Whangaparaoa College.
CONTACT:
Karen Franklin, Harcourts, 021 779 838.
Brierley and Shane Conquer used to visit Whangaparaoa when they were children -- Brierley's family had friends here and Shane's family had a bach. When the couple got together, they moved to the area and have been here more than 20 years.
Two years ago, when they lived nearby in Surf Rd, Brierley often walked along the beach at Stanmore Bay and would gaze up at the cliffs. One house stood out. It had an infinity pool, a lawn and sweeping decks.
The house was for sale and she pointed it out to Shane when she came across the listing.
He knew the house well. He used to go there for a beer with the property manager, a friend, who gave him the contacts for the owners in Belgium.
Egged on by Brierley, Shane stayed up late one night to ring them and make an offer.
The couple have lived here for just over two years and are unanimous that what they love most about the property is its view of Stanmore Bay.
"Probably one of the key features of this property is that it's one of the only ones with unbroken views, no trees in front, and it's got a grass backyard," says Shane.
They love to swim in the infinity pool, which is nearly 3m at the deep end and gives the impression of merging with the ocean.
The house's upper level has a big open-plan lounge, a kauri kitchen and big decks. The high timber cathedral ceilings appealed to Brierley, who says she is a bit of a "timber freak".
She also loves that the house is tiled throughout. Not only does this give an "at the beach" feel but it is great for allergy sufferers.
Image 1 of 7: Spacious, airy floor plan, a knockout view from indoors and from the pool, plus a sheltered position, form a trio of desirability
She and Shane took what was the guest room upstairs, which has a stone-clad en suite and stepped bath, plus a walk-in wardrobe.
Downstairs is a walk-in hot-water cupboard, which Brierley says is just about her favourite room because everything dries in there.
The children's rooms are on the lower level where another lounge leads out to the pool.
The house is solid concrete, even between the floors, and to Brierley has a Spanish feel.
They call the house "the bunker" because it's so solid.
"The guy that built it was originally an engineer doing motorway overbridges so he had access to big diggers, lots of steel and lots of concrete," says Shane.
They also like the privacy and that no matter the weather you are sheltered.
"It doesn't matter if you've got 100 knot winds, a hurricane basically, you can still sit here and there's not even a backdraft."
Although they love this property, the family is outdoorsy and has decided to move to the country to give the children more room and perhaps a pony.
Having lived in the area so long, and having visited as children, they reckon they have seen Whangaparaoa from every angle and want more space, including for their classic Ford cars.
The area has changed considerably over the years, too. When the couple were children, there were metal roads and few options for shopping or entertainment -- but now the peninsula is bustling with life.
They have their eye on a section in Wainui and will start from scratch.
"We're looking at a European pod-type system," says Shane, "where instead of having one big building you have a whole series of independent little buildings."
