Waiwera - Splendid isolation

An exhaustive search 25 years ago turned up an ideal spot away from the rat race.

47 Weranui Road, Waiwera.

Back in 1981, Clem Wiggins went looking for a weekend spot which would be closer to Auckland than his previous retreat at Mangawhai.

``I went up every road and down every creek,'' says Clem.
Walking up the Waiwera River, he came across the last flat spot before the river curved in close to Weranui Road.

``A lot of people had tried to buy it, but this time the land agent came back and said the owner was willing to sell,'' he says.

Clem cleared the waist-high kikuyu grass and the mountains of abandoned farm equipment and rubbish from the site, and built a simple two-bedroom cottage set back across a lawn from the river's edge.

One side was a double garage with high doors front and back, so a boat on a trailer could be taken straight through to the launch site.

In 1989, when Clem and wife Beryl decided to live at the property fulltime, they built a two-storey extension - bedroom, en suite and dressing room upstairs, extra living or office space downstairs.

From the upstairs window you can see the sun rising over the estuary, but no other houses.

``I was looking for that seclusion,'' says Clem. What you can see is the bush on the other side of the river, a glimpse of cars as they climb the ridge opposite, and a variety of wildlife.

Sometimes dolphins come up the river, and there are kingfishers, moreporks, oystercatchers, pigeons and other birds.

``There are no cats around at the moment, so the bird population has exploded,'' Beryl says.

``Yesterday there were 200 black shags flying up the river, and later on there were Caspian terns diving into the water.''

There are a number of trees from the original settlers on the land, including a bay and a guava, as well as a couple of massive stumps by the water's edge which now house their own ecosystem.

To the remains of the old orchard Clem added feijoa, cheremoya, avocado, plum, quince, lemon and grapefruit trees, as well as establishing salad and herb gardens with the ample compost that comes off the section.

The kitchen was upgraded in 1989, and includes 15 power points so an appliance can be plugged in close to where it is needed. The main living room has a woodburner.

The deck has been extended and covered, creating a sheltered spot for al fresco dining throughout the year, as long as the sun is out.

It is only a short walk to the ocean beach and the hot springs of Waiwera, and less than 10 minutes' drive to Orewa.

Age is catching up with the Wiggins, and they find the large section harder to maintain as the years go on.

``It's a lot of work and we have enjoyed it for so many years, we hope someone else will come in and enjoy it,'' says Beryl.

``What I'll miss most is the peace and the isolation, and the light on the water, the magic of early morning and late evening. It can be such a contrast when the rain comes down the valley like a curtain and you are sitting in brilliant sun.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 2

GARAGES: 4+

SIZE: Land 3500sq m, house 230sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Interest expected above $1 million. Tenders close September 13.

INSPECT: Sun 1-1.45pm.

CONTACT: Lynette Thomas or Graeme Mann, Bayleys, ph 09 426 5911 bus, 021 758 680 (Lynette), 0274 500 589 (Graeme).

ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz # 181071

FEATURES: Comfortable home on a riverside section, which is subdividable. Office, woodburner in lounge. Fruit trees, views and wildlife.