Twelve years ago, Cathy and Robert McConnell bought "the mystery house" up on the hill behind them, a little to the west of Orewa township.
Largely hidden among mature trees, this home had spent its years since the early 1980s standing its ground and remaining aloof from the new homes that were changing the surrounding former rural landscape.
Ironically, Cathy and Robert came to this home knowing more than most new homeowners are privy to.
They knew the previous two owners and they'd also been to a neighbourhood Christmas function here many years ago.
He phoned Cathy to collect the kids from school so they could all see it together. They happily shelved plans to build on nearby land and moved in.
The two youngest of their five children moved into the upstairs bedrooms they'd chosen that first visit here and family life fell into place in a home they've made a point of getting to know well.
Robert McConnell's passion for family history has extended to the wealth of knowledge he now has about this home, which was designed by architectural designer Robert Medemblik on a then-5.1 ha rural block.
Robert knows the timber used in its construction, from its dark-stained cedar cladding and joinery to the matai flooring that was once the floor of the old Otahuhu railway goods shed.
The stairs are rimu, the pitched ceilings that embrace the upstairs two bedrooms, bathroom and lounge are Douglas fir.
The kitchen benches are Fijian kauri, including the free-standing central workstation that can moved if necessary.
Robert points out architectural detail that includes the matching interior and exterior paneled doors.
The interior doors are fitted with cedar panels; the exterior ones with glass for a clear connection to the decks, lawns and gardens.
Cathy appreciates the detail, too, from the original brass taps in the "mud room"/laundry off the front entrance, with separate guest toilet and pantry storage (in the former hot water cupboard) conveniently close to the kitchen. The kitchen sideboard has six shelves for crockery storage.
"I mean, where do you put your platters?" asks Cathy rhetorically as she opens the doors and then shows off cupboard space above for the glasses.
Heating is catered for with the log burning fireplace in the lounge and the free-standing log burner in their master bedroom and study annex at the opposite end of the ground floor.
Cathy and Robert's work has centred on the outdoors where they have selectively culled mature trees to open up the grounds and planted 96 mostly native, coastal-themed plants for a lush effect.
"We worked with the structural trees that were there," says Robert.
Cathy's summer hammock hangs from a flame tree. There's a grapevine at the back and a passionfruit vine above the pergola of their favourite sheltered outdoor room by the rear garden.
As they look to downsize nearby, they are sad about leaving a home that they've appreciated for its enduring relevance and its beautiful timber.
