SCHOOL ZONES:
Waiheke Primary, Waiheke High School.
CONTACT:
Matthew Smith, Ray White Waiheke, 021 924 435 or (09) 372 9828.
Visitors to Dale D'Rose and Mike Smith's hilltop home on Waiheke Island are always impressed by the views and the private rural setting.
The couple bought the place almost 10 years ago. They had a holiday spot nearby at Te Whau and were looking for a permanent island base but had reached a stage where they were ready to give up the search.
"And then Mike saw this for sale," says Dale.
"It's a special property and we like that it is spacious," says Mike. "And we like the privacy."
The north-facing home, constructed in Zincalume and plaster with a full cavity system, had been designed for previous owners by Simon Carnachan.
While Mike and Dale appreciate the expansive layout, abundance of natural light and design details such as the soaring ceilings, they weren't familiar with the architect's work.
But they did recognise the wow factor, starting the moment anyone walks through the large front door and sees the spectacular views unfolding in front of them.
Mike picks out the landmarks ... the distinctive curve of Whakanewha Bay, the native bush at Whakanewha Regional Park, vineyards, Maraetai and Rangitoto.
"We will never be built out," he says.
Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular, viewed from this elevated position. The house stretches over 750sq m. "It's a big home but everything is in balance," says Mike.
The main living areas of the house face Whakanewha Bay. Fanning out from here back to the entrance foyer are two hallways, built around an inner courtyard containing spa and plunge pools, waterfall feature plus al fresco dining.
One side of the courtyard has two offices (one has a wardrobe, so could be a bedroom), a bathroom, double garage and home gym. On the other wing is the luxurious master bedroom suite.
"Our master bedroom is angled so it faces absolute north and the other wall with windows is due east so we wake to the most fantastic sunrises. And we look over Destiny Bay vineyard so the autumn colours are striking," says Mike.
Image 1 of 5: The minute you walk through the large front door, spectacular views unfold before you
Next to the master bedroom is another bathroom and laundry, accessing raised vegetable gardens and a garage/workshop.
Stairs off to the side of the foyer lead up to two guest bedroom suites, including large bedrooms, private deck, kitchenette and en suite.
Interior walls are painted white, ideal for displaying art. And a re-paint of exterior walls stayed true to the colour variations as you come in from the driveway.
"Destiny Vineyard's Mike Spratt built the house and his father did the four squares on the entry wall as a piece of art," says Dale. "His father has passed away so when we painted the house, in respect to him we kept the same colours."
The 5.4ha property has a wine cellar, chardonnay vineyard potting, garden and implement sheds.
When it's just the two of them, Dale and Mike spend their time mainly "from the bedrooms across to the TV room, the kitchen and dining areas".
He says: "The kitchen is a beautiful space with granite benchtops, high-end appliances and butler's pantry. We use the living room for entertaining.
"It's been a very good entertaining house whether there are just a few friends or on a larger scale."
There is a choice of six formal eating places -- the cosy kitchen table for breakfast, the inner courtyard, another dining area inside, then outside are the front patio by the reflection pool, a sheltered terrace with pizza oven; and further a gazebo.
Although they have made minimum changes inside, outside the couple have landscaped and planted, adding a citrus grove and barked trails leading to viewpoints.
They are selling because they have bought another property on the island.
"We had a 100-year-old villa in Auckland and then this home and now we are going to Lavender Hill. Every house has been a contrast," says Dale. "We will miss the birdsong and the bush but there is always a tradeoff."
