As a family fond of entertaining extended family and friends, it was important to Mike and Jo Benson that the home they would buy in Matakana be large and welcoming.
They rented for 18 months before they found everything they wanted in this 378sq m brick home with five bedrooms, multiple living spaces inside and out and a spacious kitchen that deserves its definition as the hub of the home.
"We loved the village so much it made sense to buy within the village," says Jo.
The couple and their four sons had moved to Matakana from the home they had built in Kerikeri as Mike was tired of the long commuting run to his office in Albany each week.
This private spot in a Matakana cul de sac seemed a great compromise. "It is 45 minutes to our office in Albany, and it has the country life with the beaches close by," says Jo. "We go to Buckleton Beach, it has lovely shady trees and swings. And Omaha Beach is just gorgeous."
They moved into their new home in Courtney Lane in 2009, about a year after the house was built. "It was designed by Jenlin Design and the first owner had a change of lifestyle and needed to sell so we bought it," says Jo. "The first time we saw this home we were blown away by the spacious living. I just think the design of the kitchen and the layout of the living areas gives that wow factor to our living, and the outdoors.
"We also were impressed the house had two big water tanks and a large garage to fit everybody's things in and many bedrooms."
They are within walking distance of the primary school, eating places and shops. "It is a great village life."
A high hedge and wall ensure living areas have privacy. The garden is easy to maintain and has been a great source of home-grown vegetables.
The boys, now aged 6, 9, 12 and 14 use the 8m x 4.2m pool from October to May, and although there is a heat pump for the pool, the family finds the pool cover is all they need to keep the water warm during those months. The lounge's large window allows parents to keep an eye on children in the pool.
"We put the pool in two years ago," says Jo. "We had the space and it's been such a great asset."
Image 1 of 7: Invite family and friends round for a swim and a party, and when they have gone, enjoy the quiet lifestyle of Matakana
The home has a large entrance through the front double doors, and this area leads to the open-plan area including the granite-benched kitchen, dining and lounge plus the media room the family call their snug.
Next to that is the master bedroom with en suite. Also on this level is another bedroom and bathroom, a study and then the four-car garage.
A stairway leads up to two more bedrooms. The fifth bedroom is in the loft above the garage. The home's main heat source is a wood fire and there are also two eco heaters.
The open-plan kitchen/dining/lounge has ranch sliders opening to the pool, the al-fresco dining area and gable-styled courtyard lounge.
They regularly entertain gatherings of 14 to 19 to larger, formal occasions.
"We have had birthday parties for 70 people and we have had dinner parties of 10 to 12 couples," says Jo.
"It is a great to have space for family and friends and a great opportunity to have extended family over and to have them stay as well."
Jo thinks the special appeal of this home is it lends itself to a family life as well as being a great entertainer's spot.
"It is a place for people to be together. It has such a variety of rooms that you can use as you need. You can be all together in the house but you can also have your own private space and quiet time so it lends itself to everybody's needs.
"It is a dream to have."
"We are selling because we have been given the opportunity to build again and we really enjoyed the process last time.
"We have found land within walking distance of the village.
"We are not leaving the area; it is just an opportunity we wanted to take."
