Karaka: Watch things grow

A farm with links to Karaka dating back three generations is about to get a new owner. By CEDRIC GRAY.

Delamere Farm is a name with links to Karaka since 1932. It once grazed a high-producing dairy herd and the soil was fertile enough to grow peas for export. The pea stubble was ploughed back to further increase the soil's fertility.

Seventy one years later, Stuart and Barbara Keat are about to end their links with Delamere with the August 6 auction of their 1.7224ha property at 96 Linwood Rd. Three generations of the family have worked the larger farm.

The property is a five-minute drive from the southern motorway. It's an attractive location with Strathallan College within view and high-profile thoroughbred studs as near neighbours. It has views of the nearby Hingaia river estuary, north to Auckland city and across the rolling south Auckland pasture.

Delamere rises gently from Linwood Rd before levelling out to the house and gardens, beautifully situated to capture the best of the views. The farmlet falls again to the north where the Keats have built two spring-fed ponds in a picturesque garden setting. The surrounds have been planted in native trees - rewarewa, rimu, kauri and karaka - which have attracted a wealth of bird life.

The gardens reflect the oft-used Karaka saying that one merely needs to "sink a spade in the ground and watch things grow" to create a landscape full of colour and variety. The Keats, however, have gone a step further. They have built archways and walkways, erected garden seats in the sunniest spots and surrounded a sheltered lawn with an impressive mix of native and exotic shrubs.

The free-draining soil is divided into several well-fenced paddocks, at present grazing dry stock. It is ideal horse country, and an area close to the house could easily be converted into an equestrian arena. The outbuildings include farm sheds, a small stock yard and a loading ramp.

Quality bore water is available for garden and household use.

The ranch-style, brick and tile, three-bedroom house (one bedroom is at present used as a dinette) is at the end of an attractive tree-lined driveway. A cosy breakfast room and a small, well-appointed kitchen captures the morning sun, and a nearby family lounge enjoys ranch-slider access to a wide wrap-around deck, which is ideal for afternoon and evening leisure time. The north-facing deck has lovely views of the garden.

Two bedrooms, a bathroom and a laundry have access to a central hallway, which leads to a quaint breezeway and double garaging. The breezeway is a semi-open room, an ideal drying room for wet weather clothing and storage.

For further information contact Rex Gazzard at Bayleys, Papakura, on 298 2525 or 021 745 267.