Kumeu: Quality stuff

Exceptional views, a great family pad and room for the animals await at this splendid property near Kumeu township. By CEDRIC GRAY.

When Murray Dunnett left the commercial world in downtown Auckland for a new life on the land, he wrote in a farming journal that he enjoyed a challenge, learning something new and that the more complicated the challenge the better.

Murray and his partner, Jean Coburn, had just bought a superb 23.883ha property in Waikoukou Valley, Waimauku, and Murray had completed his first challenge as a farmer - finding the best cattle breed to graze the gentle to steeper slopes on the farm. He chose Charolais because "they were big, beefy, intelligent, quiet and magnificent looking animals".

With the breed selected for their Sunset Ridge Stud, the couple spent up large on new gates and fencing, tree planting for shelter and beautification, creating dams for stock water and improved drainage, and a striking new home to replace the caravans they had lived in for four years.

The property had inherited strong pasture from a former dairy farm. Now divided into 14 paddocks, its north-west aspect provides excellent grazing for a quality herd, the numbers rising to 100 head through the spring and summer in its best year. Water is gravity-fed from the dams to all paddocks.

Murray says the land would be equally suited to sheep and horses, with small paddocks on the flats also ideal for cropping. The valley is one of Auckland's best-known wine regions.

Built two years ago, the 290sq m brick and tile home enjoys wonderful views of the valley - to the ever-changing colour of the distant vineyards to the greens of the tree-lined stream on the valley floor, and across the paddocks to patches of native bush. Towards the rear boundary is a plantation of more than 300 pinus radiata, planted five years ago.

The expansive family area and five bedrooms share the views, with the four bedrooms on the ground floor having direct access to the landscaped gardens. The family area - a designer kitchen, dining room and formal lounge - open to an outdoor entertaining area. Polished saligna (Australian hardwood) flooring enhances the main living areas, and neatly positioned at the rear of the house is an office with views of the farm on one side and an attractive cottage garden on the other.

The stylish accommodation wing is served by a central bathroom (with a spa bath), a separate toilet and a neat lounge where younger family members can entertain their friends. Upstairs, the master bedroom has a beautifully appointed en suite, walk-in wardrobe and its own balcony.

The home occupies a commanding site at the end of a sealed lane off Old North Rd, a short distance from the Kumeu township. The lane provides access to two or three lifestyle units, all with newly built homes.

Murray and Jean plan to buy a smaller property and travel overseas. Sunset Ridge will be auctioned by Barfoot & Thompson on May 12. For further details, contact Raewyn Jonkers or Daniel Mahon on 412 5640.