SCHOOL ZONES:
Titirangi School, Woodlands Park School, Green Bay High School.
CONTACT:
Matt Johnson, ph 027 243 6831, or Paul Grace 022 404 1472, Ray White.
It's hard to imagine that this elegant and imposing country home was once the manager's residence at the Weraroa Boys Training Farm -- a facility for wayward boys just outside Levin, nearly 600km south.
The boys' offences could be as minor as stealing an apple, and for that they were sent to the farm where they lived in cottages with married couples who took responsibility for their welfare.
Later, during World War II, the estate was requisitioned for use as a ground training school for the RAF and the homestead was its headquarters with lecture rooms and a recreation hall.
A later transformation took place in 1945 when the Levin Farm Mental Deficiency Colony was established.
Eventually, the homestead became a nursing home before finally being abandoned in the late 1990s.
This was exactly when South-Africa-born businessman Paul Wilton found himself looking for a dwelling to install on the sensational 5117sq m site he and wife Wendy had found just outside Titirangi village.
They had also bought an adjoining 4.024ha section, which had creeks and waterfalls, so they needed a tall house which would allow them to enjoy the tranquil views.
The fact that their dream discovery was in Levin didn't faze the Wiltons a bit.
"We simply had it cut into five parts and carted north; a process that took several days," says Paul.
"And I insisted on having the little shed that came with the house so I was delighted to see it sailing past on a truck as I stood in the local supermarket one day." recalls Wendy.
Putting the house back together and renovating the interior took time but the couple had the services of a remarkable team of tradespeople who were thrilled to be working on such an interesting project and took great care to preserve or recreate period details, while adding modern touches such as the surrounding decked areas.
A magnificent entrance hall features the original staircase and off it flows the large formal lounge which has an open fireplace and room for entertaining dozens of people. Behind that lies the dining room. Situated on the right back edge of the house, it has glorious views.
A bright kitchen with separate laundry and a three-storey lift lies between the dining room and the family room, a cosy and welcoming space despite its soaring ceilings.
"This is where we tend to spend most of our time," says Wendy.
There's a romantic, sunny guest suite at the front of this level and the bathroom has a pretty floral ceramic toilet and basin.
On the next level is the master bedroom with an en suite that contains Wendy's pride and joy, a clawfoot bath on a platform, from which she can gaze at bush, sky, water and birdlife while soaking in absolute privacy.
Paul's office is huge and homely while Wendy's is smaller but sweet. Either could be used as bedrooms.
Son Perry's bedroom shares a secret door with his brother Jack's retreat. Once again, these bedrooms have wonderful outlooks -- and loads of space.
