Whangaparaoa: Christmas by the sea

899 Whangaparaoa Road, Little Manly, Whangaparaoa

With its own path from the garden to a boat ramp, and rockpools for the kids, this gem awaits a new family. By Donna Fleming

For the past 30-odd years, Christmas Day in Jackie Pope's family has meant hours spent exploring rockpools, hotly contested games of cricket and croquet, and meals that included ham, turkey, salads, pavlova and sometimes pipi fritters.

It's been a long-standing family tradition for the festive season to be celebrated at her parents' home overlooking Little Manly Beach at Whangaparaoa.

"We had typical Kiwi Christmases and sometimes there'd be 30 people here," says Jackie, now Wellington-based, as she gazes across the lawn out to the sea and Rangitoto.

Jackie's father and stepmother, Jack and Faith Riddell, bought the house in 1971 for $23,000. It was built in 1958 after the previous home on the site burned down.

The Riddell family lived on a farm in Takapau, central Hawkes Bay, "which is about as far from the sea as you can get in New Zealand", says Jackie. They knew about the Whangaparaoa Peninsula because a close friend of Faith's lived at Little Manly.

"We used to come up and stay at Jean's in the holidays and loved it. When this house nearby came up for sale my parents bought it as a bach, but a couple of years later, when my father retired, they moved up permanently."

The house provided a comfortable haven for Jack and Faith in their golden years. The living and dining area has high, pitched wooden ceilings that make it feel extra spacious, but the room is kept warm and cosy in winter thanks to a Kent fire. There's a galley kitchen with lots of storage space and ample room for several people to work side by side. The couple had an extension built off the kitchen and living area that provides a sunny extra living-dining area, shower, toilet and laundry plus the third bedroom.

From the other side of the living area, a hall leads to a second bedroom, bathroom and the master bedroom. This main bedroom has a large en suite, three wardrobes and doors opening to a patio, which is also reached from the living room.

Summer holidays will never be the same again for Jackie, her five siblings and their children. Faith died in February (18 years after their father passed away) and the family has decided to sell the house.

"It's the end of an era and we feel very sad about it," admits Jackie. "But we've all got many happy memories. We will never forget this place."

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 2011sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: CV 645,000 (sale expected to well exceed this). Tender closes April 19.

INSPECT: Sat and Sun, 2-2.45pm.

CONTACT: Andrew and Cathrin McAlpine, David Carel and Megan Cox, Barfoot & Thompson, ph Andrew 021 968 809, Cathrin 0274 968 808, David 021 670 085, Megan 0274 964 620.

FEATURES: Absolute waterfront property with riparian rights and boat ramp; brick and weatherboard 1950s house two living/dining areas, one with fireplace; patio; laundry; single garage with automatic door; off street parking; walking distance to Manly Village shops and cafes; 40 minutes drive to downtown Auckland.