Jean and Peter Reid say their home is nestled in such a sheltered, private spot that friends often come down their driveway and surprise them with reports of conditions totally different to those they're experiencing.
Peter says: " ... people come down here and say, 'My goodness, it's cold and windy up there', and we say, 'What?'
"We're so well protected from any southwesterlies because of the contour of the land." Jean says: "Lots of times, once I've got to the road, I've had to come back to get a jacket. You don't know until you're up there."
They've spent 28 years in this cosseted location below the level of the road.
They're selling two neighbouring properties able to be tendered for individually or together (1774sq m of land in total). There's their north and northwest facing home on 1264sq m at the end of the driveway and the 510sq m section beside it, one back from the road.
119a-121 Kowhai Rd, Mairangi Bay, Auckland. Photograph / Ted Baghurst.
Jean says: "We've got such wonderful privacy down here, it really is a suntrap and we've always noticed the serenity. You wouldn't know you're on such a busy road just two minutes' drive from Mairangi Bay Village."
Peter grew up in Rotorua where Lockwood Homes originated and they've loved the ambience and lack of maintenance they've enjoyed for nearly 30 years having had a Lockwood built for them here.
Originally an old chap owned the entire sweep of land from the road down to where he grazed horses and sheep at its rear.
First he sold them the rear section where they built this two-level home with L-shaped living wrapped around outdoor living.
Peter says: "We were up against a developer, who actually offered more for the land, but the old chap wanted to see a family here."
119a-121 Kowhai Rd, Mairangi Bay, Auckland. Photograph / Ted Baghurst.
Ten years ago they bought his roadside property, enabling them to sell the front house and subdivide off an additional mid-section they've retained and never built on.
Jean says: "It's such a sunny spot here that we insisted on generous eaves around the L-shaped rear of our home. And we had this solar-heated pool and spa put in as soon as we were able to."
Their two daughters, who now have their own families in London, were 15 and 11 when they moved here. They loved having their downstairs bedrooms opening out to the heated pool.
Their parents, both accountants although Jean's retired, also love poolside living. Jean says: "Sometimes on a hot day I can pop into the pool three or four times just to cool off. And we're so private here there's no need for togs."
119a-121 Kowhai Rd, Mairangi Bay, Auckland. Photograph / Ted Baghurst.
Their raked-ceiling lounge opens out to the pool and is alongside a dining area and kitchen they refurbished 18 months ago to include new granite benches, a double oven and walk-in pantry.
The second lounge has a new wood burner and downstairs has vented underfloor heating.
Having moved here from a Chatswood home that incorporated nine levels, the couple appreciate how easy this home is for entertaining, even for large parties.
A bathroom, laundry, the first two bedrooms and extra storage complete this level.
119a-121 Kowhai Rd, Mairangi Bay, Auckland. Photograph / Ted Baghurst.
Upstairs, next to a study, the master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe, en suite and heat pump overlook the pool.
The back garden is one of Peter's favourite places. Brick-edged pathways wend around native plants and the area includes a pergola seating area and level lawn.
The Reids want to downsize to somewhere with less land.
