Every morning when Howie and Lyn Brown wake up, the first thing they do is flick the switch that magically opens their curtains. Right before them is a view to die for in any weather: a panorama of Goat Island, Great Barrier and Little Barrier Islands, the Hen and Chicks, and Whangarei Heads. You can also see Cape Colville, the very tip of the Coromandel Peninsula.
"It gets busy out there," says Howie. "You get lots of cargo ships and various other vessels but the most spectacular ones are the cruise liners, especially when they pass in the night with all their lights sparkling."
Also right at home in the waters around Matakana are whales and dolphins, and a telescope and binoculars are always on hand for the magical moments when they appear.
"You can waste a lot of time just gazing out there," Howie admits. "And the birdlife is prolific here, too. We've counted at least 26 species including parakeets, fantails and wood pigeons."
Howie enjoyed a successful career in the seed business before retiring north, with Lyn, 11 years ago and building their architect-designed dream home with its extensive decks in a spot that is utterly private and secluded.
He's rightly very proud of it. "We've used the very best materials throughout and it has all the bells and whistles you could possibly want. There's underfloor heating, a sound system throughout, a security system, ceiling fans and a heated pool."
The three-bedroom house sleeps up to 12 people thanks to bunks in the guest wing, which has its own bathroom.
A nifty little office with sliding doors can be closed up if required and a light, bright hallway is effectively the couple's art gallery.
The centre of the house is essentially a glass block, which means that you can still see the sea from the swimming pool, set in a large paved patio area with an outdoor fireplace. Surrounding it is an orchard where olives, macadamias, peaches, lemons, limes and grapes are abundant.
"We've noticed that the pheasants really like olives," Howie says.
Lyn produces her famous home-baking in a well-equipped entertainer's kitchen with granite benchtop (designed by Sue Gillbanks) which looks over the cosy living space with its wood-burner.
"The house doesn't take much heating, though, explains Howie. "It's all double-glazed and retains the warmth of the sun really well."
A large walk-in wardrobe and blue-tiled bathroom with twin basins completes the layout.
The house has a good-sized laundry, a fully lined triple garage and plenty more parking space outside. Howie is especially proud of his "man cave" workshop downstairs.
The couple, who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, are selling up and returning to the city while they're still fit and well. "It's really quite sad because we love it here," Lyn explains. "It just seems like a sensible thing to do as this is a very large property and we are getting on a bit. We also want to see more of our granddaughters.
"There's a lovely little school down the road so this could easily be a family home and there's lots and lots of space for children to run around."
"You never get bored here," adds Howie. "I keep myself busy in the garden and the lawns are a fairly big job, but I jump on my ride-on mower and it's all done in no time."
