SCHOOL ZONES:
St Josephs Primary, Taihape Area School.
CONTACT:
Pete Stratton, Bayleys Taihape, 027 484 7078.
Wendy Campbell runs black and coloured sheep on her 4-hectare lifestyle block with its landscaped gardens, native bush and ponds, which feature a frog symphony at night.
This private haven is close to town but in the middle of the country, says the wool buyer, who also manages Kells Wool shop in Taihape.
"We have a black and coloured flock of sheep," says Wendy.
"And I use their fibre to sell to spinners and people that do handcraft and weaving and that sort of thing."
Wendy also grows vegetables in the covered garden and while there is a chook house, she and partner David Blain don't have chooks any more.
David is a builder and has worked a lot on the house and grounds, keeping the property immaculate, replacing fences and putting in the paths around the garden and gazebo.
"We have extensively altered the house, but it's been done in keeping with the style of the house so nothing looks like an add-on," says Wendy, who has lived here since 2002.
When she moved in, the gardens were overgrown and the house was a bit neglected -- but it's in tip-top shape now.
She liked the feel and woody character of the house, and that the property was secluded.
"You can't see it from the road so it's very private. It's got really lovely character and a lovely feeling in the house. And it's quite a haven in the weekends when, if you've been working all week, you come home and you can hear the frogs in the dams.
"There's kereru and tui and bellbirds. They're all around us here and we've got pheasants that come on to the lawn."
There are big ponds stock can drink out of and because they don't use a lot of sprays, Wendy says the frogs have come back.
"It's great listening to the frogs."
Inside, the house has a lot of warmth, she says. There are two fireplaces and the drop curtains around the deck means you can sit outside and stay cosy even in the winter.
"One thing that's quite unique about the house is our entranceway," she says.
"A friend of mine does stained-glass windows so the windows she and I designed for the front door are unique, and she's also done leadlight lamp shades in the house."
Those are staying with the house, says Wendy.
Image 1 of 6: Give the kids -- and animals -- loads of room to roam about on this spacious, well-maintained block. Photos / supplied
Other changes include making the garage internal access and the bedrooms bigger.
Wendy's parents lived here for a while and the house has also been used as a homestay, plus they have had a wedding in the garden.
The kitchen has a walk-in pantry -- and the house also had woollen underfloor insulation installed this year, with a 50-year transferable guarantee.
Wendy says she and David put in a second fireplace down the hallway, which might seem a strange location, but it warms the other end of the house and is connected to the hot water.
"So we have alternative hot water and being Taihape, you have the fire on most of the winter."
There are two internal staircases, one of which leads to a loft, which they use as another bedroom but could be used as a hobby room or play room.
The other staircase leads to the master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe, en suite and an office.
The property is only a kilometre off State Highway One and only eight kilometres to town.
It's also under two hours to Taupo or Wanganui, three hours to Wellington, just over one hour to the ski fields at Ohakune and two hours to Napier.
Taihape itself is a friendly, community-minded town, Wendy says.
Her property would be great for a family who wanted to have some animals and to have somewhere for the children to roam around and have a classic Kiwi upbringing.
She and David have loved it here, but Wendy says she is due for retirement soon and wants another adventure -- even if she's not sure what yet.
