Frond farewell in Point Wells

24 Waimanu Pl, Point Wells, Auckland. Photo / Supplied

24 WAIMANU PL POINT WELLS

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SIZE: Land 4220sq m, house 379sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: $1.2 million.

INSPECT: Sunday 1.30-2.30pm or by appointment.

ON THE WEB: unitedrealestate.co.nz/UR5706

SCHOOL ZONES: Matakana Primary, Warkworth Primary, Mahurangi College.

CONTACT: Lorraine Mildon, ph 0274 979 282, Steven Postlewaight, 021 883 848, United Real Estate.

FEATURES: Substantial home in landscaped, subtropical setting with swimming pool. Two living areas, office, guest suite over garage, and off-street parking for up to eight vehicles.

With residential property investment having been part of Kiwi culture for many decades, it's unusual to find someone who hasn't lived in several homes over their lifetime.

But Robyn Alexander is up to only No3 so far, and swears the house she has just built will be her final house. "I lived in one home with my parents till I was 21, and then in the house we're selling which we've owned for 23 years, and now in the house we've just built, which is intended to last us forever."

It's understandable then, that leaving the Port Wells family home she and husband Hamish built when they were in their 20s is a wrench. And, Robyn says, it's even more so for her children who, although they're adults now, would prefer to see the family home stay in the family. "We considered that but I don't want to have to look after two houses," Robyn says. "We'll have enough to do developing a garden from scratch at the new place."

The garden is what Robyn will miss the most - since she's a landscape designer and Hamish is a horticulturalist and they developed this superb sub-tropical garden over 20 years.

"We also grow palms commercially so we had a lot of stuff to plant," she says. "It took about five years to develop the bones of the design, and I'd say it matured in its 10th year."

About the same time she and Hamish put in the pool, which immediately became the focus of the property. "This is a real summer house," Robyn says. "And it's great for a family. We did a major renovation on it about seven years ago, and put in a self-contained guest suite over a three-car garage. We converted a nursery into a walk-in wardrobe for our bedroom, and created a new en suite. Then about two years ago we decided to update the kitchen so we laid eco-bamboo flooring, and put in all new appliances."

They didn't want the kitchen to be "too precious" so there was a focus on maintaining its character and keeping it big and family-orientated. Throughout the renovations they've stayed faithful to the brief they gave themselves when they first built the house. "I basically wanted to live outside so it had to have that indoor-outdoor flow," Robyn says.

"And I wanted it to be really easy and good for the kids. It has two separate lounges so you can have separate spaces, but you can all be together if you want."

In the early days, Robyn used to send the kids off to their own lounge and throw serious dinner parties in the other area. "I used to shut it up so the kids couldn't mess up my table settings," she recalls with a laugh.

Entertaining was different in those days, she explains. There were no restaurants or vineyards to go to, so entertaining happened at home in typical country style.

Now it's more relaxed, and is generally more about throwing food on the barbecue and enjoying the pool.

"The area has changed a lot," Robyn says.

"When we came here as kids, Omaha was just a farm and we used to swim across to it. Point Wells is a different community from Omaha and we like the village feel about it."

Happily, their new house is only a kilometre down the road, on a 9ha site, which will keep them both busy.

"Most people downsize when their kids are grown up," Robyn points out.

"We've gone the other way, although the land is mainly for the business."

Robyn will, of course, be designing a new garden - and recreating some of the beauty they're leaving behind.