Flash home no normal duck hut

The Mai Mai house has magnificent views over Auckland. Photo / Pattersons

An internationally-rated house dubbed "the best little property in New Zealand" is up for sale for the first time - for just over $4 million.

The two-bedroom Auckland home, designed by Pattersons Associates, was built in 2007 and was selected as one of the best 16 houses in the Barcelona World Architecture Awards 2008.

Businessman Roger Wall built the house, but is selling after the death of his wife, Sue, earlier this year to cancer.

"There was no budget when they built it," said estate agent Graham Wall, Roger's brother. His firm Graham Wall Real Estate describe it as "the best little property in New Zealand, if not the world".

"It's absolute complete privacy," added Wall. "You cannot see into this house, and yet when you look out you can see the entire city."

Tucked away in Arthur St, in the inner-city suburb of Freeman's Bay, it boasts enviable views across the Waitemata Harbour. It features a double-storey "car stacker" garage. The building's facade is a media wall and images are projected on to it. Its name, "Mai Mai", means a makeshift duck shooting hut.

Architect Andrew Patterson, who also designed the Michael Hill Golf Clubhouse in Queenstown, has said that the design "seeks to create a union" between two identities, the hunter and the bird.

Sally Ridge and Adam Parore used to live next door.