Pukekawa: Southern comfort

Geraghty Road, Pukekawa. Sold by: Clare Cassrels, Bayleys, ph 09 295 1190 bus, 021 877 383 mob.

You couldn't find a couple more delighted about their dream country property than recent returnees to New Zealand, Christopher Blanchard and his English wife Julie Woolhouse.

The advent of their first baby, Campbell, now 2, made them pine for old-fashioned New Zealand country living.

So they left their travel industry jobs and their house in Miami, Florida, and headed south. Their dog Jonah (yes, named after our own rugby star ) also made the trip.

When they saw the Heraldhomes story on the transplanted and renovated Georgian style villa, they had no idea where Pukekawa was.

"We had to look at the map," admits Chris.

Luckily, South Auckland was their preferred neighbourhood as Chris's business sees him commuting between Coromandel and Manukau.

A drive by the property had the couple smitten with its setting and classical proportions, and charmed by the ready-made neighbourhood of playcentre, school, pool and even a golf course.

Lunch in nearby Pukekohe's burgeoning cafe scene convinced them this could be home.

The character home-lovers appreciated the fine finishing and simple design applied to a grand old lady. Plenty of bedrooms are already earmarked for friends from America and England keen to see Lord of The Rings country ("Minus the ugly guys," Chris has promised them).

Closing the deal was a tad fraught: Chris was on the mobile phone with agent Clare Cassrels as Julie went into labour with baby Lucy. Fortunately both baby and house were landed safely, and the couple can't wait to begin their new Kiwi life.