Pauanui: The best of both worlds

A lifestyle block close to the beaches of Pauanui seems a million miles away from civilisation, writes Fritha Tagg.

90 Puketui Valley Road, Pauanui.

Only 10 minutes from Pauanui is Pauline and Keith Hayward's lifestyle farm. Its location means they can enjoy the beach and the country.

It will be hard to leave the stunning views and tranquil setting but Pauline and Keith know they need more space for their three growing children (Ashleigh 13, Connor 11 and Jaxson 9).

Keith is a builder in nearby Pauanui, while Pauline's focus is the family, the lifestyle block and her beloved Dorper sheep.

This lifestyle block is nestled into the hills facing the famous Coromandel Pinnacles. The views are stunning and as, Pauline explains, ever-changing. She never tires of the vista that can be seen from nearly every window of the house.

Barbecuing and entertaining are made easy with great indoor-outdoor flow to a large deck opening off the kitchen and family rooms that makes the most of the views.

The house was designed by Thames architect Rex Randell, with distinctive rooflines and sarked ceilings that give a strong impression of space with open flow from one room to the next but also a cosy atmosphere within each room.

The elevated kitchen sits in the middle of the house and faces onto the deck and towards the Pinnacles - Pauline says it is never a chore to stand at the kitchen bench preparing food when that view is in front of you.

"I can see and hear all that is going on around me from here," says Pauline. "The kids might be in the family room by the fire and grown ups in the main lounge and you are still part of the action in the kitchen."

The house has a fan-like shape, built to make the most of the views, and is nestled in to the hill behind. The master bedroom also takes in the view with windows on two sides. Behind the wall at the head of the bed, cleverly hidden, is a walk-in wardrobe and en suite. The children have their own bathroom with formica wall linings and tiles to make it easy-care.

"It doesn't matter how splashy they get, the bathroom copes well," said Pauline.

The cedar on the house exterior has been treated with a coloured oil and is weathering into the landscape nicely. It is surrounded by a well set-out garden leading to an extensive mature orchard with every imaginable fruit and nut tree.

Also included in the sale is 7ha of 11-year-old macrocarpa and lusitanica - a great investment for the future.

"Even though we are 'country' we have a tar-sealed road and a sealed driveway. We are 10 minutes to Pauanui, 30 minutes to Thames and an hour and a half to Auckland. I love the seeming isolation and privacy - I don't have curtains on the bedroom windows because I don't want to spoil the view."

It will be hard to leave the lifestyle farm but the Haywards are beginning to feel cramped as the children grow and need their own space. The next place will need to have enough land for Pauline to continue building up her flock of Dorper sheep.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 19.7 ha, house 210sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: $1.7 million.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Lottie Ashwell, Richardsons Real Estate, ph 07 864 8607 bus, 021 243 0078 mob.

FEATURES: Architect-designed home on a large lifestyle block with a mature orchard and a block of macrocarpa. Property also has a workshop and shed.