Waikowhai: Harbour master

Spectacular sunsets and cargo ships lit up like Christmas trees are among the sights from this clifftop home.

39e Cape Horn Rd, Waikowhai.

Bob and Taimi Kennerley had planned on seeing out their twilight years in the single level home they built off Cape Horn Rd three years ago.

"This was going to be our house to retire in," Bob explains "but since then our grandchildren have multiplied and we haven't got the outdoor space for them."

Not such a problem that you'd have to move house, you might think.

But Bob and Taimi have 23 grandchildren - most of whom live close by - courtesy of their seven children.

"We've got plenty of land here," says Bob, "but not the lawn or outdoor areas you need for kids."

It's been a tough decision for the couple, who love the privacy, views and bush surrounds of their home, designed by architect Andrew Patterson.

Bob says he had a choice of two sections down a long right of way at number 39, so he brought Patterson down to look at them.

"He told us that if we took this one, he would design us a house that made it look as though we owned the bay," says Bob.

The south face of the home is almost entirely glazed, with floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors maximising the uninterrupted views over bush alive with wood pigeons and tui, and out across the Manukau Harbour where the light plays across the water and mud flats.

"The sunsets are immaculate," says Taimi. "At night you can watch the big cargo ships go past - they're like Christmas trees floating past because they're all lit up."

The Kennerleys' bush section goes right down to a bay that is part of a seldom-used coastal walkway.

"If the kids had their way, they'd be down there every day - looking under rocks for crabs and things like that," says Bob.

Meanwhile, the adults are more likely to be found enjoying a family barbecue on the deck that wraps around the western half of the house. On those occasions Taimi's butler's pantry - in a separate room behind the open plan kitchen - comes into its own.

"We've got a big family so we'll have lots of people in here preparing food. It's like having a dirty kitchen and a clean kitchen - plus you can close the doors on this and you don't have to worry about the dirty dishes until everyone has gone."

The kitchen, which has quartz benchtops and a gas/electric range, also has bifold windows opening on to an outdoor bench that acts as a servery come barbecue time.

From the kitchen, the living area flows through the dining room and to the sitting room with its gas fire in the end wall.

Bob says the high stud and over-height doors give the house "a sense of volume", which is heightened by the neutral colour scheme and pale wooden floors.

The master bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and an en suite with a double shower. And there's an enticing bath with its own full-height window.

"It's deep enough to soak in and you can enjoy the view of the ocean," says Taimi.

The Kennerleys haven't begun to think about where they'll move to, but know they have a hard act to follow.

"My wife is from Samoa and she loves having an ocean view," says Bob. "But it's going to be hard to find somewhere that can replace this."

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGE: 3

SIZE: Land 2557sq m, house 248sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV $610,000 (2002). Auction November 30.

INSPECT: Saturday 1-2pm.

CONTACT: Jeannette Young-Smith, Bayleys Titirangi, ph 817 0112,

021 826 640.

FEATURES: Clifftop location with spectacular views of Manukau Harbour. Architecturally designed home with open plan living, separate study, wraparound entertaining decks and landscaped grounds.