Swapping farm life in Temuka for the big smoke of Auckland was a big step for Paul and Cheryl Macaulay, who own a jetboat operation based opposite the Quay St ferry terminal. They had seen a gap in the Auckland market and decided to follow their instinct -- a move made much easier when they quickly found their dream home on a leafy street near the water in Glendowie.
"The basic bones are of a 1940s state house," explains Cheryl. "It's changed a lot since then."
This is something of an understatement since the house now has a floor area of 274sq m and boasts six bedrooms and four bathrooms.
Inside an unassuming fence on the corner site visitors approach the front door on a path that runs beside a grassy area on one side and pretty, raised garden beds on the other.
A country girl at heart, Cheryl says she's an "active relaxer" who likes to potter in her vegetable garden where fruit trees are about to yield an abundance of riches.
"There's a lot of birdlife round here, which is lovely, and I've noticed them all sitting in the branches, eyeing up my lovely produce."
Inside the split-level house you can continue straight towards the main living area, past 17-year-old Molly's bedroom with its private lounge and en suite, and young Sam's room, or approach it via a passage on the right from which the first bedroom, currently Sam's playroom, and the main bathroom are reached.
At the kitchen door -- a generous laundry is to the right -- you are immediately struck by the home's private aspect. The view is simply of the neighbour's roof -- with more expansive vistas beyond. The galley-style kitchen includes an induction oven, masses of preparation and storage space and it segues seamlessly to the spacious living and dining area.
"It's always warm," says Paul, "and there's plenty of room for Cheryl and me -- plus Sam and Molly -- to spread ourselves out."
Upstairs is a spare bedroom, an enormous en suite complete with bath, and Paul and Cheryl's beautiful, bright bedroom with capacious walk-in wardrobe and cute balcony.
"We always meant to sit out there with a coffee one day but in our four years here there's never been time, so if we're going to do it, we'll have to do it quickly!" laughs Cheryl.
With an extensive outdoor living area back downstairs that's probably not surprising.
Image 1 of 6: Property near the water is blessed with an abundance of riches
"As soon as spring arrives, we practically shift ourselves outside," explains Paul. "I cook on the barbecue and if it's still a bit cool, we light the fire."
Also outside is a fully self-contained guest suite and a large double garage-workshop.
The family are moving because the latest addition to their company's fleet is an amphibious duck bus and neither Paul nor Cheryl think the neighbours (who are all lovely) would approve of them parking it outside on the street.
"We're off to a nice house near Coatesville, where there's a huge shed for the bus and for servicing the jetboats," says Cheryl. "There's also loads of space for Molly to ride a motorbike and for Sam to run around. The kids just can't wait."
