KEY POINTS:
Now might not seem like the best time - but a swag of million-dollar mansions have hit Auckland's lacklustre housing market.
The country is in recession and financial woes abound but the rich are ever-confident and holding out hopes that other extremely wealthy folk will snap up their
places.
Businessman Mark Wyborn has put his castle-like Arborfield up for sale. The enormous Remuera place built in 1928 is being marketed on its website here. The ivy-walled red-brick residence with pool and tennis court stands on a site of almost half a hectare at 83 Godden Crescent.
Mr Wyborn, a rich lister with $190 million, has big Viaduct Harbour and forestry property interests but his children are grown and he is looking to downsize and build a much smaller place on a waterfront site in the Eastern Bays area.
One of New Zealand's best houses is also back on the market with two registered valuations of $8 million.
The bunker-style mansion in Winscombe Rd, Takapuna, was sold last year by Robin and Erica Congreve to then-Westpac NZ chief executive Brad Cooper and his partner, Joanne Walker. They have left the country and put the place back up for sale with Tom Kane of Precision Real Estate.
Garaging for eight cars, a movie theatre, heated pool, art work by Ralph Hotere and clifftop vistas to Rangitoto come with this 1000sq m home on a 2314sq m site.
New Zealand's most expensive residential property for sale, Cowes Bay Estate on Waiheke Island, is now being marketed at $33 million by agent Michael Boulgaris, who has had interest from overseas.
Craig Norgate, primary industry boss, has put his five-bedroom Mission Bay place up for sale, complete with pool and sauna. He is moving to the White Heron apartments in Parnell. The grand, classic Ronaki Rd house is on a 1457sq m waterfront site.
Not everything is selling fast.
The 24ha Pakatoa Island is still being marketed by Browns Southeby's International Realty, three years after hitting the market. The $35 million island is owned by meat mogul John Ramsey of Crusader Meats.
The Chrisco castle at 186 Mahoenui Valley Rd in Coatesville has also been for sale for some months. Developed in 2006 by Richard Bradley, it is said to be New Zealand's single biggest house, at 5000sq m.
Mr Bradley, a $50 million rich lister, made a fortune via his Chrisco Christmas hamper business and his place is an English-style manor.
A beachfront Cheltenham mansion in Devonport is also still for sale months after being listed. Vendors of the white wedding cake-like home want $7.85 million.
Agent Gerald Petrie of Premium says there's no real rush but "the credit crunch isn't helping people organise the millions of dollars to buy".
