Piece of fine family tradition in Waimauku

110 Taylor Road, Waimauku. Photo / Ted Baghurst

110 TAYLOR RD WAIMAUKU

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SIZE: Land 2.71ha. House 303sq m (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: 2007 CV $1.125 million. Set date of sale August 16.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2-3pm.

ON THE WEB: premium.co.nz/ABN22074

SCHOOL ZONES: Waimauku School, St Paul's School.

CONTACT: Logan Gilbert, Premium, ph 970 2170 or 021 242 7241.

FEATURES: Architecturally designed cedar house on a peaceful lifestyle and bush block in Waimauku, with views of Auckland City and the Waitakere Ranges. The property features two paddocks, sheds and an orchard, and backs onto a native bush reserve.

You can understand what it means to Vivienne Wilson to sell her Waimauku property when you consider the land has been in her family for 144 years.

It was once part of a 10,000 acre estate bought for kauri milling in 1867 by her great-grandfather, Allan Kerr-Taylor. Just a few years earlier he had built the colonial mansion Alberton, now one of the most treasured historic houses in Auckland.

Vivienne's father was born in what's now known as the Hunting Lodge, adjacent to the Matua Valley winery, and she grew up on what was, by then, the family farm.

Vivienne left her childhood home for the city at the age of 23 but returned eight years ago with her husband, Barry, to build on a piece of land she'd inherited. The land backs onto bush and has a peaceful rural outlook that takes in the city and the Waitakere Ranges.

Her mother had always talked about building a home at the top of a hill on the estate but died too early to fulfil the dream - "So I did," Vivienne says.

Vivienne and Barry wanted a home that would drink in the scenery, provide easy living and entertaining options, and comfortably accommodate visiting family.

But at the top of Vivienne's wish-list was a big laundry that would satisfy the dedicated gardener in her. She was so determined that she fired her first architect when he presented plans with a laundry crammed into the kitchen.

They then hired Terry Hitchcock, who had earlier designed a beach house for them, and Vivienne got her large laundry. The couple also got a large, open-plan lounge and dining room - which forms the hub of the cedar home and features picture windows - plus a separate kitchen and smaller lounge. The home opens up to the east and west, which makes it ideal for entertaining.

As well as two bedrooms upstairs, including the master, there is a guest suite downstairs - designed with the children and grandchildren in mind - with a double and single bedroom, a bathroom and a small lounge that opens to the rear of the property.

With the house taken care of, the couple painstakingly transformed the land from a sheep paddock to a landscaped garden and verdant orchard "with every fruit tree you can think of".

Vivienne says: "It's a lovely spot to live. It's the peace and quiet, especially on a beautiful still day, and the birdlife is wonderful."

But she says the time is right to move back to the city. Adds Barry: "I'm getting to the age and stage that a little bit of level ground and not too far to walk to the cafes might be a good idea."

For the first time in her life, Vivienne will not be able to call this patch of land her home. However, she will still be able to connect with her family history.

In 1993, she and her sister, Yvonne Hollier, gave to the Forest & Bird society a 19ha tract of native bush neighbouring the property. Called the Colin Kerr-Taylor Memorial Reserve (after her father), it was part of the original family land and is where her parents' ashes are buried. There's even a walking track named after her.

"It's quite an emotional tear, really [to leave this house]," says Vivienne, "but it's got to the stage that it's time to go."