SCHOOL ZONES:
Matakana Primary, Mahurangi College.
CONTACT:
Kellie Bissett, Bayleys, 0275 306 843.
Auction:
July 23 (unless sold prior).
Initially planning to buy a home in Matakana village, Judi and Preston Clark quickly changed their minds when they looked at this elevated 1.0125ha section on a country lane eight minutes north of the village, and decided to build instead.
"When we saw this land, there was no comparison. We have the views and we have the bush," says Preston.
"We had been living in Christchurch and had been to Matakana on holiday and we loved it. It's not in the city but you can get to Auckland in 45 minutes and the potential for growth is great.
"We are close to the beaches, there are marine reserves and the fishing was a big thing for us.
Lots of families move here like us," says Preston, whose two daughters and son are aged 15, 13 and 10.
"All our kids have been to Matakana Primary and the older two are at Mahurangi College."
The couple bought the land in 2007 and then set about building this designer family home to take in those sweeping sea views over the coastal land to Omaha.
"Boundary and height restrictions meant there was only one place we could build and only one direction we could face," says Preston.
He describes the modern, single level home as having a barn-like presence. "There are no real eaves, it is a European style and it has an angled roof. I like the board and batten and the way it wears, it has gone a silvery grey."
On two sides of the main living area sliding glass doors open to courtyards and frame the view of the sea, islands, native bush and countryside.
"Having an open plan was the main thing," Preston says. This main room is 9m by 7m with a 5m stud. It encompasses a galley-style kitchen with retro-fitted cupboards and rimu island bench, plus dining and lounge.
Heating is from a wood burner and Preston says the polished concrete floors keep the house warm as they absorb and retain the sun's heat.
The layout is a combination of two pods; the first housing the main living space while the other has a double garage, front entrance, bedrooms and bathrooms. "At the end is the fourth bedroom, and that is where our third child hangs out. It doubles as his playroom and we have left the loft ceiling open and high. It makes for a nice feeling."
Image 1 of 6: Survey your domain from this glorious home nestled in native bush above Omaha Beach and just half an hour from Albany
Living in the country and so close to the coast is ideal for this active family who enjoy fishing, surfing and riding motorbikes.
The property is over a hectare, with at least 90 per cent of that area in bush. "There are nikau stands and punga," says Preston.
"We see kingfishers, tui, wood pigeons and paradise ducks and we have sheep and cows over the fence.
"The views are amazing, out to Omaha immediately in front and to Tawharanui, and we see Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula. On a clear day you can see all the way to Auckland City and the Sky Tower."
The home's layout also lends itself to entertaining. "The good thing about the main living space is we can change the furniture around. "We have had a couple of good parties and we change the table round for the view on Christmas Day.
"We can see the fireworks on Guy Fawke's and New Year. We get beautiful sunrises and the other thing we enjoy is when the moon comes up -- especially full moons and blood moons -- over the ocean. Those are spectacular.
"We see the cruise ships lit up at night. We get to see the fish working in Omaha Bay and we can see what the surf conditions are like."
Matakana is popular with families, retirees and creative people attracted to the lifestyle, he says.
"It is also ideal for someone who works in Albany or Auckland's North Shore, you can live up here and commute to Albany in 30 minutes now that we have the tunnel," he says.
"I fly quite a bit for my work and I can leave home and park the car and be in the Koru Lounge in an hour and a half."
He and Judi are selling because they want to be closer to family. "Our parents are getting on and we decided we need to be a bit closer to them, either Auckland or further south.
