ON TOP OF THE WORLD
Get away from it all at this expansive Manukau Heights property with its fantastic views over Auckland. ERIN REILLY meets the current owners
“On one side, you can see from Manukau Harbour all the way around past the airport, the Sky Tower, Rangitoto and Waiheke.”
They say that good things come to those who wait. In this case, good things came to those who worked really hard.
“I’ve been a South Auckland man all my life,” says owner Robert. “I used to drive past this property and think to myself, ‘One day I’m going to buy that land and build my dream home on it’. It was a challenge and it took a while, but I got there in the end.”
That was 32 years ago when the property featured a humble two-bedroom cottage and not much else. The land was overgrown with gorse, and Robert and wife Karen had to do an immense amount of work to tame it. Raising two small kids in the cottage was tight, but it served a purpose: to have a roof over their heads while they worked on making their dream home a reality.
Fifteen years after buying the land and saving their pennies, the couple finally started working on the house. Fastforward to 2020 and 481 Redoubt Rd is now home to the kind of property you’d expect to find nestled in the mountains.
“We were after the ‘South Island hunting lodge’ look,” says Karen. “We can imagine the angles, pillars, Canadian cedar and South Island schist stonework being blanketed in snow and surrounded by mountains.”
Built with socialising in mind, the home features multiple entertainment zones. Downstairs, the self-contained entertainment play area is perfect for big groups or events. The versatile pool area can be used as an extension of the main entertainment space or set apart as another dedicated space.
“When the kids were younger, they could bring their friends around, head downstairs, and enjoy their own space away from the rest of the house. We’ve had plenty of parties down there and when we want to put a movie on the big screen or watch Bathurst, that space can turn into a theatre room too.”
Located at the very top of Redoubt Rd, Kauri Ridge Estate enjoys uninterrupted 360-degree views across Auckland. Karen says her favourite spot is the circular lounge where she can sit with a coffee and her thoughts and simply gaze at the countryside.
“The views are just phenomenal,” says agent Paul Sissons. “On one side, you can see from Manukau Harbour all the way around past the airport, the Sky Tower, Rangitoto and Waiheke. The master bedroom enjoys beautiful views over the Ardmore Aerodrome and the countryside below. They really are the most magnificent views of Auckland.”
The lifestyle the family has created and enjoyed here is their lasting memory.
Karen has enjoyed plenty of room for her ponies while Robert has had plenty of room for his cars. Growing up, the kids caught the bus from their letterbox to the local primary school, and while both the kids and the school have grown, the bus still drives right past their driveway.
“We have enjoyed a fantastic lifestyle here and it’ll be very bittersweet to leave,” says Robert.
“We’re in a world of our own up here. It’s just perfect.” Sale: Tender closes August 14
Contact: Paul Sissons, NZ Sotheby's International Realty,
027 432 5220; Amanda Platt, 021
756 699