Howick: Host of Luxuries

A couple who created the only five star accommodation in Manukau must hand on their dream property much soonerthan they planned. 

Point View Lodge, 316 Point View Drive, Howick. When Tricia and Bruce Robertson opened their home as the only five star accommodation in Manukau last year, they planned on a long and happy retirement career. 

But then Bruce fell dangerously ill with renal failure, and just 14 months after opening Point View Lodge the couple is going through the wrench of selling. 

"I've had it confirmed that if I lived in a cooler, less humid environment it could prolong the time I'm off dialysis," says Bruce, for whom a kidney transplant is not an option. "I grew up holidaying in Taupo, so we've decided to move down there. But it was a decision made after a lot of heartache and tears - this is a beautiful home to live in, and we've so enjoyed the guests we've had." 

He and Tricia bought the property about three years ago to fulfil their dream of running boutique lodge-type accommodation for overseas visitors. 

"Tricia had been head of the health department at Pakuranga College, and I'd run my own businesses all my life, and we couldn't imagine stopping work and having nothing to do," smiles Bruce. 

"We asked ourselves what gave us pleasure," continues Tricia, "and decided it was people, and entertaining. We wanted to run more than a bed and breakfast, to have people arrive from overseas and live with us for a couple of days to gain a little bit of the New Zealand experience." 

After five years of keeping an eye out for the right place, the couple was shown this house on a hill just at the rural edge of Howick. It was understated from the road entrance, but striking once inside and with enough land to expand. 

The house's previous owners had employed architect Richard Priest to design a renovation of the main living areas and kitchen. Tricia and Bruce then engaged their trusted architect Ronnie Yong to add a guest wing in keeping with Priest's design. The end result is a light-filled home with high ceilings to provide space, and curved walls to provide privacy between the living areas and guest wing, and between the three guest suites. 

As you enter the front door you see the house's most stunning feature - a double-height curved wall of windows that look out to a wide view from the Waitakeres, across Auckland's volcanic cones to the Sky Tower. Inside these windows is a sunken lounge, with a double-sided wood fire to warm it and the formal lounge at the top of the steps. 

Off here is the casual living, dining and kitchen area, which opens on one side to the view along a deck that runs the length of the house, and on the other side to a sheltered courtyard. The master suite also opens to this courtyard.

On the other side of the entranceway is a hallway leading past a library and an office, which could also be bedrooms, then on to the three guest suites. 

Each guest room has its own generous en suite, and opens through high shuttered doors to the deck and the view. 

Bruce and Tricia's two black-faced suffolk sheep, Satchmo and Eartha, graze in the two paddocks outside and will come right up to the deck if tempted with the right food. 

"They often sleep on a mound right outside the guest rooms, and of course the overseas people love waking up and seeing that," smiles Bruce. 

They have also "borrowed" three more sheep and a few cows from nearby farmers to help keep the grass down. Satchmo and Eartha could stay with the property or, if the new owner prefers not to run livestock, the paddocks could be landscaped. There's plenty of room for a pool. 

Bruce and Tricia ensured that the extended house could be used simply as a large family home if subsequent owners did not wish to host guests. The extra rooms and bathrooms would be ideal for teenagers, adult children or grandparents. 

They are heartbroken to be leaving so soon, but Bruce's health has to come first. They do, however, feel satisfied they have prepared the property for its new owners to enjoy as much as they have. 

Vital Statistics: 

BEDROOMS: 6 

BATHROOMS: 4+ 

GARAGE: 2+ 

SIZE: Land 5043sq m, house 550sq m (approx). 

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $1.5 million. Auction May 13. 

INSPECT: By appointment. 

CONTACT: Christine Fowler, Harcourts, ph 021 930 529, 538 0071 bus, 534 5439 a/h. 

FEATURES: Architecturally-renovated house set up as a five star Qualmark boutique lodge, but could also be a large family home, on the rural edge of Howick. Three guest suites also have their own entrance. Double-sided gas-started wood fire in one lounge, another wood fire in casual living area. Heat pumps warm the rest of the house. Sheltered courtyard. Two paddocks overlooking expansive view, with two sheep if wanted.