Country: Not bad for a woolshed

BY CEDRIC GRAY

From a ramshackle woolshed to a fabulous three-bedroom home, this converted property and its vast site has huge potential for further development.

Three years ago, Nina Ash was attracted to the beautiful sun-drenched valley at South Head, on the Kaipara Harbour.

The only buildings on the site were a woolshed and a barn, and it was the former - which she has converted into a three bedroom home - that clinched the deal.

Nina, a former air hostess with Air New Zealand, had restored other homes in South Head, but this was by far her biggest assignment.

"The old woolshed had everything," she says, "including big steel trusses and glorious mature timber." It enjoyed valley and harbour views, and it was sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds.

Nina had a vision of establishing a riding ranch and an outdoor holiday centre for under-privileged children.

The stunning property, which is a comfortable 20-minute drive from the township of Helensville, is ideal for such a venture. Described as "the South Head beauty", it comprises about 28 ha of flat rolling pasture and two steeper areas that were planted eight years ago with 5000 radiata pine trees.

A free-flowing stream runs the length of the property, and there are pockets of native bush. Exotic trees provide shelter for stock.

About 24 ha of pasture in eight well-fenced paddocks is leased to a local farmer for dry stock grazing at a monthly rental of $562. There is a fenced lime-rock driveway running through the centre of the property, which provides access to the paddocks. Other facilities include a four-bay barn in good condition (with power), a double garage/workshop and an all-weather equestrian area with post and rail fencing.

The 240 sq m, beautifully finished house opens to the outdoors. Completed two years ago, it can comfortably accommodate up to five bedrooms. There are two bathrooms and toilets, and a modern kitchen. The heating is provided by an Australian woodburner, which was installed at a cost of $7000.

The property is for sale through LJ Hooker, Kumeu, at an asking price of $550,000. A 1 ha subdivision is being marketed for $110,000. Contact John Ruzich on 420 7850 for details.