Papakura: Cresting the canopy

The house’s position above the bushline means it is still light and airy. Photo / Geoff Dale

A house in the tree-tops has been built for family life and maximum views.

736 Ponga Road, Papakura. Sharon de Heer and her husband Eddy are ready for the next stage in their lives, and putting their Papakura house on the market is "part of the journey".

The kids are getting to the stage, Sharon says, where they want to be closer to town for their careers, and that signals changes ahead.

Her 18-year-old son, who has a provisional driving licence, had been to the movies the night before in town and had to stay with his cousins because it was too late to drive home.

"We recognise that our needs might not be the most important right now. And this house with its views of the city, Rangitoto and of course our lovely bush is ready for the next family as we continue our journey in another home."

Their home in Papakura suggests something straight out of the Swiss Family Robinson story with the way it sits at the end of a finger of land cresting the canopy layer of native bush. But unlike some homes nestled in trees, this doesn't have that dark, damp feel to it.

Across from the west boundary is a bank of ponga trees that shows nature is the ultimate maker of the subtropical garden, without the landscaping fees and spade work.

Sharon says they have a variety of birds on the property, including their "resident tui" who check them out regularly.

Though the couple run a property business from the stand-alone studio - with its own facilities and a bedroom in the garden - she says it is easy to get a bit distracted by the environment when she makes a mid-morning coffee.

The house has been significantly remodelled by the couple, who saw the potential it offered. A lot of tragic 1970s design features have been removed to bring light into the rooms and create an easy flow.

An oversized front door welcomes visitors into an atrium.

The master bedroom, with a massive en suite, is to the right and allows the parents to have their own space, while the three children's bedrooms are at the top of the house.

Sharon says they created the bedrooms upstairs so the kids could have some space that was theirs but also remain connected to the family.

"They are upstairs but are not far away," she says.

Then there is the integrated living space, which mixes formality and function. A snug sitting room with a fire place is adjacent to the formal dining table. It's a room where the family can gather with friends and talk into the night.

The large kitchen is full of useful cupboards, and the family room is somewhere to sit, chat, play and even ride an exercycle.

On the practical side, there is a huge laundry with loads of cupboards and a sewing room - a rare feature nowadays.

There is also a swimming pool, spa and built-in trampoline.

The land looks after itself, says Sharon, because it's bush and under a covenant. It beckons explorers, who won't need to build huts to find hideaways in the branches.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land approx 6.8ha.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $850,000. Price by negotiation.

CONTACT: Adele Keane, Ray White, ph 021 717 795 mob.

FEATURES: Underfloor heating; swimming pool; spa; stand-alone office with facilities; bush; privacy; exceptional views.