Omaha: Heavenly

Owners of an historic waterfront section regard it as a gift from God.

History:

Waterfall Road, Leigh. Its owner calls it "God's garden". Historical records wax lyrical as to its beauty and, in real estate terms, it is the iconic New Zealand bit of dirt on the water, made all the more attractive by the fact it is a mere 90-minute drive from downtown Auckland.

Whatever it represents, without a doubt this large chunk of paradise in two titles is a rare and beautiful example of nearly bare coastal land.

Water's edge in Omaha Cove at the head of the picturesque Leigh Harbour, with nothing between the sea and a cottage by the original house except smooth lawns and a strip of mown reserve, it is everyone's dream of a beachside retreat.

Brian Martin and his Tokyo-born wife, Keiko, have owned it for more than 30 years, and when Brian's children were younger and living in New Zealand, he and Keiko travelled from their home in Asia to spend many happy weeks there every year with the children.

"In all the time I've owned it, I've never heard an angry word," says Brian. "We would have large gatherings where all the children and adults would have three-legged and egg and spoon races on the lawn, Easter bonnet competitions - it was a place to gather where everyone could have fun."

In the hands of the Martin family since 1975, it has a long and colourful history stretching back to the time of the missionaries and before. It is the Landing Place associated with missionary Henry Williams of the Church Missionary Society.

A sketch by him dated 1833 shows "Omaha, our old and favourite spot" with the mission cutter Karere anchored off the beach and local Maori gathering shellfish from water that is still pristine in the 21st century.

In the 1860s it was the site of a shipbuilding enterprise, and at a later point the original homestead became a fishing lodge called The Jolly Fisherman, reported to be a raucous stop-off. The whole site is of historical significance because of its links both to pre-European Maori settlement and the earliest of European arrivals in New Zealand.

The Martin family have preserved it with that in mind.

While the 19th century house-cum-lodge is now derelict, Brian has had an architect assess it and find it has potential to be restored. In the meantime, there is a transportable cedar chalet in which to stay.

It has two bedrooms, a well appointed bathroom and a kitchen, with views out to the wharf and the activity on the harbour that makes even washing up a pleasure. The living room looks east across more green lawns to the tranquil upper reaches of the river inlet, where children divebomb off the foot bridge and race kayaks in the sun.

But as they often do, times and priorities change, children grow up and Brian's second son Robert, who spent a lot of time at the bach in his youth, now lives in Canada. Brian and Keiko find they are spending most of their spare time there with the grandchildren. In the last few years they have spent only about 10 days a year by the sea in God's garden. As Brian puts it, "We feel it is time to pass it on to new people who will get the pleasure we did from it. We'll never forget it." Whoever buys this property will be adding their own history to a place that is also special to New Zealand.

Vital Statistics

BEDROOMS: 2

BATHROOMS: 1

NO GARAGE BUT PLENTY OF OFF-STREET PARKING

SIZE: Land 9079sq m in two titles, chalet 100sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: Upwards of $2 million. Auction February 22.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Jennifer Rouse, Bayleys Warkworth, ph 09 425 7640 BUS, 027 537 2372 mob.

FEATURES: Water's edge site at the head of Leigh Harbour. In two titles and with road and beachfront access.