Leigh: Natural harmony

VICKI HOLDER samples a slice of paradise.

Attracted by New Zealand's schooling and safe, unspoilt environment, the Willards brought their three children to experience a less hurried, new life on the beach north of Auckland.

"We wanted to spend more time with the children and less time working," recalls Liloa Willard.

Liloa, a Tahitian, and Francoise, from Hawaii, shared an affection for coastal land. But it had to be something special, says Liloa, who checked out many properties before finding this spectacular waterfront hideaway at the end of Ti Point Rd, five minutes' drive from Leigh.

"Although the existing courtyard house was designed by Arquitectura as a large but simple two-bedroom home for a bachelor, it suited my sensibilities and needs," he says. When the couple bought the home, it was basically two wings partially enclosing a lap pool and an outdoor area that related particularly well to the landscape. Sitting on the clifftop above Matheson Bay, it soaked up the sun as well as a grand view of the Hauraki Gulf and its many islands.

The architect had classical training in Spain and the formal layout of the house had a wonderful, open European feel with high ceilings, bagged brick and great indoor-outdoor flow, where french doors opened to verandas and a courtyard.

The couple were smitten with the house, but they needed to accommodate the family as well as a large collection of artefacts. So they enlisted the original designer to extend the home and expand the courtyard concept further by adding two more bedrooms and a new pavilion opposite the living area, filling in the U-shape. A more relaxed architectural style was devised to contrast with the formal layout of the original home.

Liloa is pleased with the tropical, Polynesian ambience of the new kitchen, dining and living area, which he calls "The Long House". With a thatched roof, it features a steep-pitched, timber-beamed ceiling painted with a distressed finish and doors that open up along one side.

On the main level, the home opens beneath a porte-cochere through large double doors that lead into a spacious tiled entry foyer. The wing to the right has a guest suite with adjacent bathroom and french doors opening to the paved veranda. The central part of the house contains a cosy library with an open fire, the master bedroom with an en suite and an office. The original living room provides formal dining and living, which extends out from the foyer.

Stairs at the western end of the new pavilion lead to a lower level stretching the width of the house. It contains the garage, a large closet, changing room and bathroom, with a long hallway gallery, or craft room, plus a pantry and laundry. From the main living room, timber stairs rise to two children's bedrooms, which share a bathroom and open across a terrace to the view.

While the house is air conditioned throughout and features a host of sophisticated, automated technology to make life easier, it's difficult to pinpoint its age. The architect believes it has to do with the extensive use of natural materials - the clay bricks, timbered ceilings, French oak floors and stone in the five bathrooms, all of which helps the house to blend into its landscape.

Although large and with an impressive array of extravagant appliances and gadgets, it's not ostentacious. "Everything fits in its place," says the architect. "It's just a family home."

The Willards like it because it represents perfectly the ideals of a Kiwi lifestyle. "The house is in perfect harmony with nature," says Liloa. "We are nestled on a hillside overlooking the Hauraki Gulf with a view of distant islands framed by pohutukawa trees, surrounded by native bush and the sounds of tuis, wood pigeons and surf."

Providing a permanent holiday from stressful city living, the property is a relaxing, easy, tropical paradise.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 19 Ti Point Rd, Leigh.

FEATURES: Luxurious waterfront retreat designed by Arquitectura; four bedrooms; five bathrooms; two grand living areas opening to veranda and lap pool, hot tub and barbecue; gourmet kitchen; library; office; large dressing room and generous garaging; wired for sound and computer system; security system; electric and gas hot water systems; two central vacuum systems; air conditioning; automatic irrigation; two waste water systems; rainwater collection from roof and bore; filtration and ozone treatment system.

SIZE: Land area 2.5597ha; floor area approx 700sq m.

AUCTION: 5pm, December 9, at Bayleys Maritime Square auction rooms.

AGENT: Linda Goodfellow, Bayleys JK Realty. Ph 09 425 7640 bus; 021 968 640 mob.