Waimauku: A gem

It's got location, space and heaps of potential, says CEDRIC GRAY.

The location is appealing: Rothesay Vineyard next door, the grapes of Collard Brothers Ltd - leafless and seemingly lifeless - on elevated ground across the river boundary, Matua Valley Wines and the celebrated Hunting Lodge restaurant within walking distance.

The 5.3ha property at 922 Old North Rd, a few minutes' drive from Kumeu, is, however, attracting pre-auction interest for another reason: it has plenty of room for development.

Ron Gussey of Norwest Real Estate agrees. "It has huge potential," he says."Spend, say, $100,000 and you have a million-dollar property."

Gussey is referring to the four-bedroom brick and tile house, which has been vacated so that potential buyers can judge for themselves whether any refurbishment will represent money well spent.

It was built in the 1970s and the internal design reflects that era - a huge family lounge, a small farmhouse kitchen and dinette, the bedrooms and two bathrooms flanking the central hallway.

There is ranchslider access from the lounge to a concrete north-facing veranda, and similar access from the kitchen to a sheltered, pergola-covered courtyard, which has been beautified in recent weeks by the planting of flowering shrubs. A brick barbecue in one corner makes the courtyard ideal for outdoor entertaining, because there is an in-ground swimming pool and spa pool a few steps away.

The setting is as appealing as the location. Slightly elevated, the site offers lovely views of the Waimauku valley, and has been planted with an interesting mix of native and exotic trees. A huge aviary, with an enclosed breeding loft, could accommodate several hundred birds.

Two-car garaging, with internal access and plenty of storage, is at the end of a tree-lined, sealed driveway. A roadside paddock, with post-and-rail fencing, provides excellent grazing and would be ideal for a pony or two. Ten other paddocks are below the house to the north. They reach towards the Waimauku river boundary. Well-sheltered and fertile, they at present graze sheep and cattle.

There is a substantial barn, good stock yards and quality bore water.

The property will go to auction early next month. Contact Ron Gussey, Norwest Real Estate, Kumeu, on 412 8876 or 025 989 679.