Karaka: No stone unturned

The owners of a waterfront property did a painstaking job building a country home of Hinuera stone.

Narrow Waters, 45b Arana Point, Karaka.

When Pauline and Alan Mundie bought their 4.5ha Karaka property 10 years ago they were determined to build a timeless home in sympathy with the surrounding countryside.

So much so that they built the guest accommodation first on their waterfront section and lived there while they project-managed the construction of their Hinuera stone home designed by architect Michael Idiens.

"It was kind of slow and steady; we didn't want to rush it, and Alan's such a perfectionist. It also gave us time to get a feel for the land and what would work," says Pauline.

The Mundies may have taken their time building their grand home, but one of the things they did immediately on buying the property was to plant groupings of native trees.

"We also planted a lot of flax on the water's edge and that's really attracted the tuis."

Pauline says when they were preparing to build they made sure the land had some contours rather than bulldozing it flat.

"For us, the reason we wanted to live out here was the connection with nature, so we wanted the house to kind of nestle into the knoll of the hill and look more natural," she says.

"That's why we went with Hinuera stone for the house. We wanted something that was in tune with nature, that was classical and timeless."

The layout of the house is, however, a little unconventional, as three bedrooms are downstairs while the upstairs includes an office, guest bedroom, bathroom and living room.

"We built most of the bedrooms downstairs because as you get a little older you don't want to be climbing stairs all the time."

The main lounge downstairs has a Hinuera stone fireplace and, like the kitchen, opens out to a large patio and views of the estuary.

The Mundies have not stinted on the fit-out either, with Gaggenau appliances in the kitchen, Philippe Starck fittings in the bathrooms and two spa baths. There is cedar joinery throughout and the flooring is a mixture of tiles and sisal carpet.

The self-contained guest accommodation has its own driveway and is in a private setting. It has two bedrooms and its own laundry as well as an adjoining garage and workshop. This is where Alan does woodturning and joinery work. Some of his craftsmanship can be seen in the timber ceilings, cabinetry and window boxes in the main house.

There is another huge workshop with oversize doors that houses their boat, and the cars Alan is restoring. Pauline says she and Alan will miss what they consider a special location.

"You're tucked away here in a rural and secluded spot with a lovely water outlook, but you're only five minutes to the motorway."

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 6

BATHROOMS: 4

GARAGE: 12

SIZE : Land 4.717 ha, house and guest wing 458sq m, garaging/workshop 234sqm.

PRICE: $3.3 million.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Cherry Cooper, Barfoot & Thompson Papakura ph 298 8029 bus, 021 955 141, 09 232 0000 a/h.

FEATURES: Country-style stone residence with superb indoor-outdoor flow to patios looking out over beautiful gardens towards the estuary. Designer kitchen and bathrooms. Integrated systems for lighting and music throughout. Underfloor heating. Separate two-bedroom guest accommodation, garaging and two workshops.