Kumeu: Making its presence known

This fabulous mansion once graced the northern slopes of Remuera. It's now very much at home in Kumeu.

By CEDRIC GRAY.

It has peace, privacy and natural beauty, yet the lasting impression of a visit to 310 Matua Rd, Kumeu, is that it could be likened to a stroll down memory lane.

Holding centre stage on this delightful 11.5ha property is a stately mansion that once graced the slopes of Upland Rd in Remuera. Built 160 years ago, it was transported north nearly 10 years ago in a dozen or more sections. The restoration took another year.

And were it not for the lowered ceilings, ranchslider doors and landscape windows in the main living area, one would think the mansion had been at Matua Rd since the day it was built. Not a single pane of glass in the striking leadlight windows or scarcely a single piece of history was lost in the restoration.

The solid kauri door, which opens to a large hallway, has been preserved. So has the Australian jarrah flooring elsewhere in the mansion. Crystal chandeliers add lustre to the hallway, and to several other rooms, including a large reception room in which there is American maple flooring designed as a sprung ballroom floor.

The 638sq m home on three levels is full of pleasant surprises. There is a cosy mezzanine room on the first floor, with a further flight of stairs leading to two large bedrooms and a sitting room, a guest bedroom and a large master bedroom. All enjoy access to private balconies through french doors or ranchsliders.

A nearby cottage, built in the same Victorian style, includes a kitchen with walk-through pantry, one bedroom and a living room. A sunny sheltered deck offers glorious views across two lakes and an extensive wetland area.

Indeed, the views from both dwellings are like a dash of cream to the coffee. The lakes attract a variety of birds and, as members of Ducks Unlimited, the owners have installed nesting boxes for the endangered grey tern. A boundary paddock is bounded on three sides by the Kumeu River.

Hundreds of trees have been planted in recent years for beautification and as a forestry investment, providing a picturesque background to the sheltered outdoor courtyard that includes a large indoor swimming pool, adventure playground and expansive lawns.

There is an excellent orchard and a highly productive vegetable garden. Several paddocks are well fenced and designed for easy stock movement, and there is a large half-round barn with ample room for storage, hay and implements. Next to the barn there are sturdy stock yards and a parking area for heavy transport.

The property is being marketed by Premium Country Real Estate, Takapuna, where Deborah Wallace (ph 021 565 603 mob) and David Savery (ph 025 317 175 mob) have further details.