SCHOOL ZONES:
Whenuapai School, Hobsonville Point Secondary School.
CONTACT:
Paris Youroukelis, Harcourts, 021 0836 8528.
AUCTION:
March 19, 1.15pm on site.
Bruce and Judith Anderson have their eldest daughter Dawne to thank for their Whenuapai home and its stunning garden.
As a child, Dawne was keen on horses, so 38 years ago her parents bought a home on a half-hectare where she could have a pony and her brother Andrew could ride motorbikes. Later, younger sister Rochelle raised calves.
Then, just over 20 years ago, Dawne announced that she was getting married and would like the ceremony to be held in a garden. Her parents pointed out that they didn't have a proper garden - just a few plants around the house and grassy paddocks.
"She said, 'You had better get on with it then'," says Bruce. "We had exactly 12 months to turn it into a wedding venue."
A year later, Dawne said her vows in a paved area in front of ponds and a waterfall that make up just a small part of the transformed garden.
There have been about half a dozen more weddings in the garden since - including Rochelle's - along with birthday and anniversary parties.
Neither Judith nor Bruce consider themselves to be particularly green-fingered. "I just buy what I like the look of at the garden centre and plonk it in," says Judith.
They did enlist the help of a landscaper, but they have learned as they've gone along, and managed to create and maintain a spectacular garden that they have loved sharing with others.
For several years it was part of the Trinity Garden Festival and they've hosted fundraising events there for organisations such as the local Cubs' group.
The garden is divided into different areas, including the resort-like ponds and waterfall with tropical planting, a children's playground, and a huge flat lawn, which the landscaper dubbed "the Vast Lawn".
Special features include a water wheel, homemade sundial, viewing platform and what looks like a large wooden sculpture but is in fact a stand for viewing cricket on the lawn.
The Andersons have planted lots of natives, such as kauri, totara and kahikatea.
The property backs onto the Waiarohia Inlet, and there's a wooden deck with a view over the water to Herald Island, plus a jetty that's the perfect place to launch a kayak or fish.
8 Rata Road, Whenuapai. Photo / Supplied
The brick house, which was built in the late 1970s, has also changed over the years. A porch at the front of the house was extended and closed in to create a conservatory that looks out on the water features.
At the rear, a family room was extended, providing an enormous rumpus room that has space for a living area, bar and pool table. A pavilion-style roof over the pool table has a skylight for extra light.
"This room has had many uses over the years, from a kids' playroom to a computer room," says Judith. "It was great for teenagers, and Dawne lived here with her husband and twins while they were building their house. There was plenty of room."
Outside, there's a barbecue area and a covered spa pool room that has been used more recently as a play area for the grandkids, but could be returned to its original use.
8 Rata Road, Whenuapai. Photo / Supplied
The kitchen is spacious and light and has plenty of storage space, as does the adjoining laundry. Underfloor heating keeps the kitchen and bathrooms warm, and a woodburning fire in the lounge throws out lots of heat.
There are three double bedrooms, including a master with its own deck, and a single one used as an office. As well as a large double garage, there's also an enclosed carport.
The Andersons have loved having so much space, but the time has come to downsize.
They've seen a lot of changes over the years and say the Upper Harbour Motorway now makes it easy to get into the city or the North Shore.
The North West and Westgate shopping centres are a short drive away.
"Yet it is still so quiet and peaceful here," says Judith.
