SCHOOL ZONES:
Cockle Bay Primary l, Somerville Intermediate, Star of the Sea School, Howick College.
CONTACT:
Karl Vermeulen, Harcourts, ph 027 204 4249.
As the busy manager of a plumbing store and father of three small children, it's hard to believe that Martin Smith could possibly have found the time necessary to renovate what he and wife Michele can describe only as "the pits". However, he has -- and the results are spectacular.
"It was a real party house," he explains.
"We've been here five years and, believe it or not, we've only recently stopped finding bottles around the section!"
Michele is every bit as motivated as her husband and thought nothing of stripping wallpaper when nine months' pregnant with daughter Cailyn, now 4, while also caring for first-born Jack, who was a lively toddler at the time. "I think it was a baby brain thing," she says. "I had a strong nesting instinct."
Throughout the process, the couple kept "green" issues at the front of their minds and two heat pumps heat the house although they're often not needed. Water is solar-heated which keeps power bills to a minimum.
The house, built in 1969, has an open-plan layout with kitchen, dining and living areas blending seamlessly.
It's ideal for family living because Michele can easily keep an eye on the children as she cooks, even if they're playing outside on the huge deck with its elegant glass balustrades.
The main bathroom is crisp and modern, as is the en suite adjacent to the master bedroom.
A good-sized guest room sits opposite 1-year-old Corben's bedroom.
Downstairs lies a pleasing surprise in the form of a large living or rumpus room, two bedrooms -- occupied by Jack and Cailyn -- and a laundry.
Outside is a second outdoor living area which is more shaded than the deck above.
"It's great in summer when you're feeling hot," says Michele.
The spa pool, with its gorgeous views, is popular with all the family -- especially at night under the stars -- but Martin, a clever woodworker, is particularly thrilled with his spacious workshop.
"It's where lots of tinkering goes on!"
The enormous section stretches a long way back behind the house: filled with birdsong courtesy of tui, fantails and wood pigeons, it is a perfect playground for the kids. "We even saw a lorikeet once," announces Jack proudly.
Wee Cailyn is horse-mad so the family hopes to move to Tauranga to buy a lifestyle block, but otherwise Michele and Martin could imagine themselves staying in this house throughout the children's early years.
It's just a few minutes' walk from the beach and Howick Village -- with its town crier -- is right on the doorstep, too.
Popular Cockle Bay Primary School is just a hop, skip and jump away as is Howick College and, according to the couple, all the local kindergartens are excellent.
Image 1 of 6: Big bush-fringed section, smart living spaces, near the beach ... family is No1 here
One of Martin's favourite local spots is the Turanga Creek winery, which makes good pizzas as well as good wines.
"They have theme nights which can be lots of fun," he explains.
For her part, Michele loves that Cockle Bay feels like a seaside village despite being only a 25-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland.
She's going to miss it but it's easy to see that both of these energetic powerhouses -- plus their adorable offspring -- are itching to get started on a new life elsewhere. They will be leaving a smart, modern and versatile property for new owners to enjoy as is or develop further.
