Manukau: On the lookout

A large South Auckland home has all the mod cons in a semi-rural setting, writes Penny Lewis.

482 Redoubt Rd, Manukau.

The owners of this semi-rural home fell in love with it seven years ago, even though they only went to the auction to see how the process worked.

"We hadn't even sold our other house, but it just felt right when we walked in. We weren't planning on buying," says June. She says she still loves the spacious house and is only moving because she and her husband Warwick are building further down the hill.

The house is set on 3300sq m of land and enjoys spectacular views to Auckland landmarks Rangitoto Island and the Sky Tower. From the home's upper level it's even possible to see both the Waitemata and Manukau harbours.

Facing north, the house gets all-day sun, as does a heated in-ground swimming pool and paved outdoor entertaining area. June and Warwick have built up the garden during their time here, including some major retaining work to create a level lawn at the front of the house. Warwick makes quick work of the grass with his ride-on mower.

Beyond the lawn there's an orchard, complete with bumper crops of kiwifruit, passion fruit, Tahitian limes, oranges, grapefruit, plums, pears, peaches, macadamia nuts and banana palms. It does attract the odd annoying possum, but the presence of native wood pigeons more than makes up for the pests.

True to its semi-rural setting, the house runs on tank water. The tanks, which June describes as being enormous, have never run out. They're disguised under a paved area, but can be readily accessed through discreet manholes for maintenance. The sewerage system has the same sort of covert appeal - it's hidden in the garden.

After they bought it, June and Warwick added another wing to what was already a very large house. The wing is now used as a pool house and also houses Warwick's home office, but June says it could be easily converted into self-contained accommodation. As well as plenty of storage in the adjoining double garage there's also a large utility area which is accessed from outside. "We have lots of hedge trimmers and gardening equipment as well as the mower, so it's great that it can all be kept away from the garage. It's good, too, not to have an ugly shed in the garden," June says.

The large kitchen and informal living area is ideal for entertaining. "When we have people over in the summer I can just pass the food outside through a sliding window," June says. The living space is doubled with a more formal dining room and lounge. Here, a double-height ceiling adds a feeling of grandeur, while elevated picture windows allow the wonderful views to be seen from a mezzanine level landing.

A woodburner heats the house - a little too efficiently it seems. "Because heat rises it sometimes gets too hot to sleep in our bedroom upstairs," June says. The master bedroom has a wonderful outlook, with an en suite bathroom and "his and hers" wardrobes. Also upstairs, a further bedroom and enormous storage area off it are currently filled with the belongings of the couple's adult children. "I wonder if they'll ever pick their things up," June muses. Two further bedrooms downstairs can be closed off as a separate wing, making the house ideal for a family with teenagers who always have guests.

Despite its peaceful setting, June says the house is incredibly handy to the motorway and other amenities. "It's just down the road to Botany town centre and very convenient for people who might work at the Middlemore Hospital or the airport." The house is so handy to the airport that one of June's favourite things to do is watch the planes come in to land. "We're not on the flight path though, so it's not noisy." In fact, seeing the planes pass comes in very useful when the couple is picking someone up from the airport. "We just look out for the symbol on the tail as it passes by. We know if we leave just after we've seen the plane we'll be there in time to greet them."

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 3324sq m, house 367sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Offers around $1.4 million.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Bev McCulloch ph 295 2030, 021 799 218 and Andrew McCulloch ph 295 2015, 021 393161, Ray White Real Estate.

FEATURES: In-ground pool, paved outdoor living area, central heating, established and abundant orchard on approx 350sq m, separate wing currently used as office and gym and changing area for pool. Views across farmland to the airport, Rangitoto Island, and the Waitemata and Manukau harbours.