Waitoki: Dream within reach

A slice of country paradise is very affordable for refugees from the city, writes Catherine Smith

City folks dreaming of country living are becoming increasingly despondent as prices for entry-level lifestyle properties close to Auckland creep over the million dollar mark. So it is little surprise that this property in rolling Waitoki, heading towards Kaukapakapa, has provoked keen interest with its price point under $690,000.

A slice of country living, complete with immaculate stabling for three horses and a snazzy chicken coop, is available for less than a villa do-up in a city suburb.

"We've always had to have the country around us, as I breed ponies,'' says owner Wendy Clark. "At one point we moved to suburbia, thinking we wanted a lock up and leave house so we could travel. We lasted six months and had to get back to the country. Look at these views, who wouldn't miss them?''

Rex and Wendy have travelled extensively with Rex's work as a consulting engineer, but in their almost two years on this property have still fitted in some clever sprucing up.

A tumbledown shed was refurbished into proper stables, Rex re-assembled scrap pieces he found around the property into one of the smartest chicken coops in the west and a tiny garden shed had a picturesque makeover for Wendy's gardening gear.

Even the goats, now gone, got designer digs. All around the property, smart wooden  fencing replaced ramshackle post and wire. Wendy wasn't idle either, building rose gardens and bringing old fruit trees back to life, around her work with the ponies.

Most of the weatherboard house dates from the 1940s, but was built around a much earlier worker's cottage for the enormous dairy farm that pre-dates the formation of the roads around the district.

Subdivided in the 1960s, the area is home to widely spaced country homes, all with views of rolling green pasture.

Six years ago previous owners renovated the house, extending the living spaces and adding the master bedroom wing. Extensive decking, sheltered from Auckland's squalls by roofing, offers   outdoor living morning and night.

Wendy and Rex were delighted to find they did not need to do any work to the house, although they suspect the original kauri boards under the carpet may tempt future owners into more renovation.

Today, it is a country retreat from urban life.

Rex and Wendy, far from retiring from the good life, are moving to Rex's home turf in Canterbury, taking on 1.2ha of paddocks, a free range egg farm and a bulb growing business.

They may still fit in more travelling, basing themselves only 15 minutes from Christchurch airport, but reckon they will miss the green hills with their new base on the  sometimes arid plains.

"I think this house and the farm are what city folk dream about when they're planning their escape to the country,'' says Wendy. "It's a great family house, with room for ponies and chickens and goats, what more could people need?''

Add a great price, a pretty commute from the city, great country schools, and there should be plenty of takers.

VITAL STATISTICS

WHERE:  307 Ireland Road, Waitoki.

SIZE: Land 1.01 hectares, house 167sq m.

PRICE: $689,000.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Louisa Green, Ray White Kaukapakapa, ph 09 420 5566 bus, 0274 755 725 mob.

FEATURES: Weatherboard house, renovated six years ago, with open plan living and dining, featuring wood burner, country-style kitchen, three double bedrooms (master with en suite and dressing room), family bathroom and separate toilet, separate study, plenty of storage. Extensive covered decking.  Utility room. Outbuildings include stabling for three horses, chicken coop and garden sheds. Sweeping views.