A need to escape the hustle and bustle of the city led Karl and Kay Reyes to Waimauku in their search for a home that would be a sanctuary.
What they found was more than they expected - a classy country home of cedar, schist and concrete roof tiles with all the space, peace and privacy they were looking for.
"I think there are many families in Auckland who are looking for that," Kay says. "The suburbs can be really noisy and this place is so quiet. When you drive in through our gates you'd never imagine there was a house down here."
That's because of the 4000 trees planted here by earlier owners, and the location on a 1.7ha block sitting just above a 15ha farm that provides an amazing view. Karl and Kay have their coffee with that view every morning.
The home's entranceway has big double doors sitting between schist pillars softened by a mature palm on either side of the door. It opens to a spacious foyer, flanked by the living areas on one side and bedrooms and bathrooms on the other.
The house offers its own privacy with a layout that Kay considers perfect. The master suite is separated from the other bedrooms by the living areas giving Karl and Kay a private area, and in addition to the open-plan kitchen/dining/living area there's a separate lounge ideal for quiet times or entertaining away from the kids.
The kitchen has stainless steel appliances, plentiful cupboard space including a big double pantry, and a large island bench separating it from the adjoining casual sitting area. The television is visible from here, which is a plus for Kay.
101 Taylor Rd, Waimuku. Photo / Supplied
"I can enjoy watching television while the kids hang out in the lounge," she says.
Formal dining and sitting areas complete the living space. The house is easy care, with off-white tiled floors in the living areas, and taupe tiled floors in the bathrooms.
The master suite has a walk-in wardrobe and an en suite, while the other bedrooms have large wardrobes and share the family bathroom with its bath, over-sized shower and twin vanities.
No renovations or alterations were needed when the family moved in.
101 Taylor Rd, Waimuku. Photo / Supplied
The only addition was a spa pool set outside the private lounge under the stone-pillared pergola - the perfect spot from which to enjoy spectacular sunsets. Further along the broad flagstone terrace is an outdoor dining area.
"We also added a chicken run," says Kay. "But every morning the chickens lay their eggs outside the bedroom door."
There are a dozen sheep, five of whom are pregnant, a pet eel and a dog. An implement shed, post and rail fencing and bore water support the farmlet.
Despite the increasing sheep population there is still enough lawn area for the kids to play out the front, and the well-established gardens give the house a resort-like feel.
101 Taylor Rd, Waimuku. Photo / Supplied
Concrete planter boxes separate the terrace from the lawn, and lend some seclusion to the outdoor living spaces.
Despite the feeling that the property is miles from civilisation, Waimauku village is just down the road, nestled among the vineyards between Kumeu and Helensville.
The proximity to these villages means transport links, sports clubs and parks, multiple daycare and schooling options and bus transport to North Shore high schools are close by.
And if ever the allure of the big city lights should rear its head, there's easy access to the Northwestern Motorway and a 35-minute drive (off-peak) to the Auckland CBD.
