SCHOOL ZONES:
Mahurangi College, Warkworth Primary School, Matakana Primary School.
CONTACT:
Cara Postlewaight, United Real Estate, 022 1538 780; Terry Mills, 027 239 5142.
This sprawling family home and B&B has stood the test of time, writes Donna McIntyreThe "million-dollar" views over Kawau Bay are what Graeme and Judy Maker's friends and guests comment on when they come to their home at Sandspit.
That is understandable for first-time visitors, but more significant is that Sandspit residents comment on the views even though they have lived here nearly as long the Makers' three decades.
"Other Brick Bay people maintain we have perhaps the best view up here," says Graeme.
Graeme and Judy designed the brick-and-cedar house, asking local draughtsman John Kinder to formalise the plans.
Because they had 7597sq m (nearly two acres), they decided to have a spacious home.
"The land has a covenant on it to say you can't build any more than one dwelling on it. And we thought we would build a nice big house because we are used to big houses. It took nearly a year to build."
The couple had shifted to Sandspit after running Walton Park Motor Lodge in Warkworth. They took over the Ferry Boat Company and developed Kawau Kat Cruises.
"'Cruise the Kawau Kat to paradise and back', you might have heard on the radio, and we developed and built catamarans and operated that for 13 more years," says Graeme.
At first their son and daughter lived here but as they left, the couple decided to resurrect their hospitality skills, turning what had been the children's bedrooms and rumpus room into B&B accommodation, calling it Amazing Views Kotare Lodge.
Image 1 of 6: This sprawling family home and B&B has stood the test of time.
"That has really enhanced the house because now the bedrooms downstairs have en suites for themselves," says Graeme. "We ran the B&B for the last five years and enjoyed every bit of it. But the last six months we have wound it down because we are selling."
The house now has those two guest bedrooms with en suites on the first level plus an office and heated plunge pool with private terraces. Also on the ground floor are the double garage and workshop space, plus carport. Upstairs from the foyer is the formal dining room, bar and living area with heat pump and fireplace. Then there is the kitchen with granite benches, walk-in pantry, and a second living area and fireplace. All living areas open to the wraparound deck. There is also a laundry, spare bedroom and the master bedroom has a private deck.
Graeme and Judy say the home and its timeless design have certainly stood the test of time. As well as maintaining the exterior, inside they have renovated with new flooring, kitchen and bathrooms. Sarked kauri ceilings in some rooms add character and warmth to this beautiful home.
"We landscaped the grounds and created a couple of little paddocks and a big paddock, and for the last 28 years, we have been running between four and six sheep to keep it tidy. Most of the sheep reach the age of teenagers before they die because we can't kill them and eat them."
But now the couple are selling to shift closer to the water at Snells Beach.
"Boating is our life and the yacht club is building a 131-berth marina in front of the club. I have been the chairman of the marina society building," says Graeme.
"Because I am over 70 and my wife is nearly 70, we feel as if we are running out of time to use our lovely 50-foot launch, which is sitting in the marina.
"We have negotiated to buy an apartment at Snells Beach ... so we have decided to go there for a few more years and enjoy boating."
