Karaka: A tranquil playground

It's the ultimate in laid-back rural living within easy reach of the city, writes VICKI HOLDER.

Outside the windows of the Sumich home in Karaka nothing spoils the sweeping views of the peaceful countryside.

Expansive lawns and paddocks roll down in front of the rustic Santa Fe-style home to the Oira River that meanders past the foot of the property.

Harewood, an idyllic playground for Raynor and Nick Sumich and their four boys, is set on a block of lush farmland on an arm of the Manukau estuary.

Although there was no flat land to build on when they first saw the property, the Sumichs were lured by the beautiful, tranquil outlook, the warm, northerly aspect and the opportunity to indulge in the water sports and equestrian events they love.

Massive earthworks gave them a site on which to build a small cottage where they lived for some time, while they ruminated on the style of home they wanted. Seven years ago, they added to the cottage and created a long, rustic ranch-style home, built of plaster over concrete and bagged brick with timber joinery.

Raynor describes it as "gutsy and functional". She says although it has quite a masculine feel, it's well-suited to living with four boys. Designed by architect Andrew Grant, it consists of two sleeping pavilions connected to the main living areas by wide, light-filled galleries.

The boys now sleep in the four-bedroom wing that was the original cottage. Raynor and Nick sleep at the other end of the house in a luxurious space where the en suite, dressing room and study have underfloor heating. With a children's lounge and several bends in the long passage connecting the pavilions, the design ensures there's no chance of the boys' inevitable noise disturbing their parents at night.

All the rooms have stunning views through bifold windows and doors. The shape of the house creates lots of welcoming, sunny places where the family can escape from the prevailing winds. The master bedroom opens to a loggia where Raynor and Nick can sit outside even if it's raining.

To make the home look as if it had been around for a long time, many old, recycled materials were used in its construction. Raynor found the long island bench that runs the length of the kitchen in someone's garage. The kitchen appliances are integrated behind recycled rimu cabinetry. The wide matai flooring in the living area came from a demolished hall in Pukekawa, while the magnificent front entry doors came from a pub in Taihape. And the huge posts of the pergola in front were once signal posts on the Wiri railway line.

The Sumichs also tried to keep the home as environmentally friendly as possible. For example, woollen insulation was used rather than fibreglass.

Because of the house's solid construction, Raynor says it's particularly warm in winter and lovely and cool in summer. On wintry nights, they light the Jetmaster fire in the lounge, ensuring the whole living area is cosy.

Raynor and Nick have also established a pine plantation, which provides excellent tracks for running and trail biking. It forms a shelter around the swimming pool where Raynor has coaxed a garden and an orchard of nashi pear, peach and feijoa trees. There is also a barn with horse boxes and stabling. The fences on the property are sparred and wired, so it's set up for hunting.

While Raynor and Nick have busy lives working nearby at the airport, they look forward to returning home where they can quickly tune out and relax. Raynor adores riding her horses and it takes just five minutes to launch the boat, so the family has spent many hours water-skiing, kayaking, fishing and swimming. The boys have built secret huts every 600m along the banks of the river, and many a picnic has been enjoyed at the water's edge.

A laid-back, resort-like haven that lends itself to easy socialising, it's just five minutes to the motorway and 25 minutes to downtown Auckland.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: Harewood, 44 Arana Dr, Karaka.

FEATURES: Lifestyle property on Oira River; land suited to crops and grazing sheep, cattle or horses; five-bedroom home designed by architect Andrew Grant; two bathrooms in bedroom pavilions with underfloor heating; master bedroom pavilion with en suite, dressing room and study - all with underfloor heating; family and formal living areas; children's lounge; swimming pool; double garage; barn with horse boxes and stabling; bore and farm water tank; pine plantation.

SIZE: Land area 6.48ha.

PRICE: $1.5 million to $1.7 million.

AGENT: Cherry Cooper, Barfoot & Thompson, Papakura. Ph 298 8029 bus; 021 955 141 mob.