The green grass of home comes with hefty pricetag

Remuera has gone rural - real estate listings reveal that a small country settlement north of Auckland now boasts some of New Zealand's most expensive homes.

At least six mansions - with a total combined value of more than $50 million - are on the market in Coatesville, with some big-name sellers involved.

One of the most high-profile properties for sale is owned by entrepreneur Seeby Woodhouse, renowned for selling the internet service provider he founded, Orcon, in 1994 for nearly $25m.

His five-bedroom, nine-year-old lifestyle property is on the market for more than $2.5m and features a lake, swimming pool, petanque court and orchard on 1.56ha of land.

His friend, model Nicky Watson, lent her image to help market the property.

However, his asking price is a lot less than some other options in Coatesville, a rural area which boasts a population of fewer than 3000 people and around 700 houses.

Top of the pops is the home widely considered to be New Zealand's most expensive - the "Chrisco" house, a $30m-plus home owned by Richard and Ruth Bradley, the founders of the Chrisco Christmas hamper company.

It has been on the market for almost three years.

Another property in the area is about to be listed for about $7.5m.

Deborah Wallace, the owner of the Premium country office in Albany, is selling a $5.5m lodge style property on Ridge Rd on behalf of some "retired executives".

Her colleague Suzie Eade is selling a 2.02ha home owned by property developer John Kraft for about $5m on Goldflats Lane.

Kraft, of K & J Quality homes, who also owns the North Harbour Big Tree Company, bought the land years ago to grow strawberries.

But now he is taking advantage of the land values in the area to develop and build eight exclusive luxury homes.

Eade said a lot of top luxury homes were built in the area on large chunks of land, up to two hectares.

Some needed to sell because of cashflow issues, but most were selling because they wanted to move on or were read for a change.

She said Coatesville was a highly sought-after lifestyle area for people who did not mind paying for luxury.

Wallace said some properties might appear expensive, but a $3m property two years ago would have fetched almost $4m.

She said Coatesville, in Rodney District, had a lovely village, was private, "has a soul", was easily accessible to Auckland and was filled with "trendy mums who drive beautiful cars to people walking around in their wellies with their horses".

Barfoot & Thompson agent Sally Claxton said it was usual to have this number of high-end properties for sale in the area at one time.

Her most expensive home for sale is on 8.1ha on Mill Flat Rd, which had been owned by a now-deceased businessman. It has a GV of $3.2m.

"People love the area because it is the first bit of country you hit after leaving Auckland," she says.

Rodney Mayor Penny Webster was not surprised by the surge in the area's popularity.

"People are friendly, neighbours look out for each other and it still has that country feel to it."