Runciman: No compromises

By VICKI HOLDER.

Caught up in full-on corporate careers, Brian and Joan Withers decided they needed more balance in their lives. Mid 1997 they opted out of the rat race by moving to a beautiful country estate in Runciman called Kotuku Lodge. The pair didn't retire, they simply switched gears in a typical mid-life downshift.

The move brought Brian closer to his work as an engineer at the airport. And high-flying Joan, previously chief executive of the Radio Network, came home - not as a lady of leisure, but to become a professional board director for companies like The Warehouse and Air New Zealand.

Joan says the property had everything they were seeking for their new lifestyle, including proximity to the motorway and privacy. "It was perfect in that regard. You don't know it's there from the road. You get to work quickly. You have the peace and solitude yet there are no compromises with the house. And although the property is big, you can look after it without it taking up your whole weekend. We both took up riding and that has become our passion."

Joan says the trick to managing the property is keeping some of it in lawn and letting the animals take care of the rest. Horses, sheep and cows keep the grass down in the 11 paddocks surrounding the house.

Set in mature grounds framed by long-established trees, the grand two-storey, turn-of-the-century home combines the best of modern living with classic architecture.

But when Joan and Brian arrived it was in desperate need of renovating. To achieve a better flow for entertaining, they gutted the living areas, which span the entire north side of the downstairs level. Replicating the original timber and leadlight doors between rooms, they opened up the area and designed it so it could be one generous space or closed up for a feeling of intimacy.

On the western aspect, bifold doors were added to the formal lounge to extend it out to the afternoon sun and pool terrace. A huge magnolia tree and a fig help enclose this sheltered courtyard where there is a beautiful pavilion for outdoor entertaining. Positioned beside a big welcoming entry foyer, the lounge has a timber inglenook with fireside seats in a cosy recess.

A less formal sitting area at the other end features a pot belly stove with a wetback to heat the whole house. It opens outdoors through a curiously tiny door to the veranda in front. With two built-in bookcases, the library is a restful area that also opens through french doors to a side veranda.

Formal dining is left of the entry and a more casual breakfast area adjoins the renovated farmhouse-style kitchen. This has a large mottled red granite bench on rustic timber grain cabinetry with a traditional Rayburn stove, as well as a modern Ilve oven. Storage is plentiful but Joan and Brian made it even easier to keep organised by adding a huge scullery with great space for their home-made preserves and everything the fastidious chef needs.

A full laundry is conveniently situated next to the rear of the breakfast area.

Two double bedrooms and a freshly renovated bathroom are off the hallway and there are two more bedrooms and three more bathrooms up an original timber staircase. The master suite looks across the balcony to large ponds at the bottom of the property. The suite boasts plenty of storage cupboards as well as a walk-in dressing room and large en suite. Also on the upper level is another bedroom and two more bathrooms, one with a spa bath and the other with a shower and toilet.

The farm also features two-car garaging and a new stable and storage shed to the right of the homestead. A standing yard could be used to foal mares or wean foals.

Brian indulges his passion for gardening in an area framed by climbing roses with a small glasshouse, grape vines, citrus trees and olives. Ponds, a ford and a stream provide tranquil natural wildlife areas, and the paddocks with good pasture are accessed from a central race lined with poplars. At the head of the drive, there is a set of yards and a loading ramp.

The couple have found their lifestyle dream incredibly rewarding and friends have enjoyed the easy trek out to paradise to see the sheep, ducks and horses. But now they're on the lookout for an even bigger property so they can have even more livestock.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: Kotuku Lodge, 576 Burtt Rd, Runciman.

FEATURES: Easy-care lifestyle property; 11 paddocks with water reticulation suited to horses, sheep and cattle; stables and storage complex; handy to motorway; two-storey home in mature grounds; large adjoining formal and family living areas renovated for entertaining; modern kitchen with scullery and breakfast area; pool terrace with outdoor pavilion; four bedrooms including master suite with dressing room and en suite; four bathrooms; double garage with workshop; three discreetly hidden 5000 gallon concrete water tanks fed from roof catchment.

SIZE: Land area 6.7746ha.

AUCTION: On site, April 7.

AGENTS: Mike Butler and Jo Lund, Barfoot & Thompson, Papakura. Ph 298 8029 bus; Mike 0274 946 064 mob; Jo 021 411 385 mob.