SCHOOL ZONES:
Clevedon School, Papakura High School.
CONTACT:
James Scorrar, PGG Wrightson, 027 481 1811.
There's certainly no doubt it was the land that attracted Warren Tryer to a 40ha farm south of Auckland 12 years ago - he didn't even go inside the house until after the deal was signed.
"I wanted the land because it was coastal and even though it wasin a pretty bad state I could see the potential," he says.
Located on South Auckland's Coastal Scenic Drive, within a reasonable commute of the city, the property features big, northerly sea views and its own access to the Firth of Thames and Hauraki Gulf.
Warren hadn't even been looking for a piece of land when a neighbour of this now well-cared for block told him the owner might be interested in selling. He took a look and fell in love with it.
Originally a two-bedroom farmhouse built in the 1930s, it was extended a number of times over the years and is now a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home with ample living space.
"It's enormous," Warren says. "And I think it's probably a love it or hate it sort of place. I guess you really had to love the land."
Warren loved the land but took a realistic view: he could see it needed work, and despite the fact he was no farmer, he knew what had to be done.
He re-fenced the property, renewed all the irrigation and demolished 4ha of "very distressed" pine trees that had been buckled by Cyclone Bola.
"I mulched them, had the stumps removed and ended up with more paddocks," he says. The extensive improvement programme included several new ponds and a long-term, balanced fertiliser programme.
Conservatively farmed, the easy, rolling land is well supported by utility shedding, hay barn, calf sheds and stables.
The red-roofed, board and batten house is a quirky character building with gables, dormers, bay windows, an atrium, lap pool and even a turret.
Recently modernised, the living space includes a big kitchen, a living area with bi-folds to the pool and a comfortable lounge with a classic bay window.
"And there are lots of walls," says Warren, who has made great use of the plentiful hanging space for his art and photographic collection.
Boating and sailing memorabilia also have their place, and there's a stream on the property that runs out to the sea, providing direct ocean access for a kayak or a small aluminium boat.
Warren loves to go fishing in the double kayak. For bigger boat enthusiasts the Kawakawa boat ramp is only three kilometres away.
These are some of the elements that have made the property so enjoyable for the family. They've hosted a local scout group that camps by the lake each year, and they enjoy target shooting and walks across the land to take in the views.
But running an engineering business and a farm has become a bit much for Warren and he's ready to downsize.
