Years of teaching young school children in London, which she enjoyed, inspired Nichole Stratton to bring her British husband Jeremy, a landscaper, and their three boys: Ike, 11, Eli, 9, and Raphy, 6, back to her home country for a typical sun-sea-and-sand lifestyle.
"I had really always imagined us living in Titirangi, among the bush," she says. "But somehow we found ourselves here in Stanmore Bay, close to my family, in a house we'd fallen 100 per cent in love with."
It's not difficult to see why the property enchanted this young family from the first time they saw it. Down a deep, tree-lined driveway it looks like something from a fairytale, and the vivid green front door is an appropriate entry point.
Set over three levels, the house is light and bright, surrounded by a canopy of tree ferns and other natives - an entrancing zone for boys who love to play hide and seek.
On the ground floor are two bedrooms, one of which the couple used as an office when the boys were small.
"It's a very versatile layout throughout and even while we've been here we've used it in a number of ways to suit where we were at," says Nichole.
There's a snug on the next floor, which has the boys' TV and all their toys and games.
She especially loves the kitchen, which has sea views and is complemented by a big, sunny dining area. Simple but smart, it looks fantastic with a classic bright white colour scheme, and then there's the living room for relaxing and entertaining inside - or out.
With this extensive decking the indoor/outdoor flow is perfect and outside is private.
"There are just so many good things about this place and the fact that nobody else can see us is definitely one of them," says Nichole.
"The best thing for Jeremy is the fact that he can take his kayak down to the gorgeous little beach at the end of our street every morning and go fishing," she says.
6b Cooper Rd, Stanmore Bay. Photo / Supplied
"Being from Britain, he finds that sense of freedom hard to believe."
She says that she, Jeremy and the boys have been incredibly warmly welcomed in a no-exit street, which is a community in itself.
"Every Wednesday morning there's a women's group, made up of neighbours, and we all get together and have a chat over a cup of tea, putting the world to rights."
Nichole loves the serenity the property exudes. She understands a previous owner was a counsellor and therapist and it's certainly easy to see how sitting here can enhance relaxation.
6b Cooper Rd, Stanmore Bay. Photo / Supplied
Easy to live in and charming in every way, with its all-year holiday vibe, the house has been perfect for the Stratton family up until now, but they've had to make a difficult decision.
Nichole teaches at Whangaparaoa School and the boys go there, too, which means they're out of their home zone and don't know many children in their immediate neighbourhood.
'We've tried really hard to make it work for us and the boys but it just doesn't - quite.
6b Cooper Rd, Stanmore Bay. Photo / Supplied
"We seem to spend a lot of time taking them to sleepovers and other activities, which would be so much easier if we lived closer to their school."
"However, I can say quite honestly that if it came up for sale again in a few years when the boys are teenagers and doing their own thing, we would probably buy it again."
And that has to be the highest possible recommendation.
