More than sufficient in Helensville

21 Goudie Rd, Woodhill, Helensville. Photo / Geoff Dale

21 GOUDIE RD, WOODHILL HELENSVILLE

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SIZE: Land 1.79ha, house 350sq m, including decks.

PRICE INDICATION: $1 million to $1.3 million. Auction March 10.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1.30-2.30pm.

ON THE WEB: www.barfoot.co.nz

SCHOOL ZONES: Woodhill School, Helensville Primary, Kaipara College.

CONTACT: Barb Cooper, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 0275 430 288.

FEATURES: Eight-year-old eco house, entirely self-sufficient for power and water, overlooking native bush close to Woodhill forest. Features generous living spaces, including wood fire, gas- fired Aga cooker and large covered outdoor living space, skylights and cedar joinery. Two bedrooms open to decks, there are generous bathrooms and a utility room, plus a self-contained sleepout for teens or granny.

Imagine rolling countryside a few minutes from the end of the line at Helensville, complete with convenanted bush, three-car garaging and room for visiting family. Then toss in an airy and spacious home, and it's little wonder that Nigel and Linda Oliver, who'd been living in an apartment in Remuera, were so delighted when they discovered this property.

The couple had searched Riverhead, Kumeu and Coatesville without success, so were prepared for disappointment three-and-a-half years ago when they headed out to Woodhill to see this house, built in 2002. "It was the middle of winter, a horrible day, but when we walked in this place was so warm. Then we looked out the windows to the bush and thought 'my goodness'," says Linda. Then came the kicker: the couple discovered that the house was designed to be completely self-sufficient for energy, water and sewage disposal. "We'd been so taken by the design, which reminded us of our favourite beach house at Whangamata, that it wasn't until the sale went through and the agent said 'we'd better explain how it all works' that it dawned on us," she laughs.

Fortunately, operating the house is simplicity itself: solar panels collect energy into a bank of batteries, and only in the darkest depths of winter does a generator kick in as back up. The house is heated by a British system of heat pumps into hot-water radiators, all managed on timers. Gas bottles fire up the cook top and Aga range. Nigel produces the careful records the couple have kept and calculates total energy costs for the year average $125 a month, which includes diesel for the ride-on mower.

Water collection and sewage disposal are managed on site and require only an annual checkup by local service people. Deep insulation and plenty of skylights keep the house toasty in winter; carefully designed cross-ventilation cools it in the summer.

The covered porch - almost as large as the house itself - is a breezy summer living room, and perfect for drying clothes or sheltering plants in the winter.

The living room is a modern version of the traditional great room, with a fireplace at one end, and large open kitchen at the other, with dining in between and a TV area tucked around the corner. A glossy black Aga is kept running all winter; the granite benches and generous floor space mean a crowd can comfortably cook together.

Living rooms and two bedrooms open to the deck through large French doors, collecting the last of the afternoon sun and views of the beautiful sunsets over the hills opposite the house. In summer these hills are a blaze of pohutukawa, and Linda and Nigel are entertained by the wood pigeons, tui and kaka year round. They commute to work in Parnell and Avondale at off-peak times, figuring on a run of only 35 minutes. At weekends they explore the countryside. The three-car garage is home to Nigel's vintage car collection, and the pair is often driving to rallies or Beach Hop at Whangamata. It is the call of the surf that is driving them to sell; Nigel fancies being a retired surfie, and the couple have figured out how to replicate their house in bach form near the waves at Whangamata.