Taupo Bay: Kick back

Vast spaces and breathtaking sea views make living and entertaining in this home a breeze, writes VICKI HOLDER.

With wanderlust in their blood, an English couple travelled extensively looking for opportunities before settling on a spectacular property above Taupo Bay in the far north.

Len and Ilene Birkwood lived in New Zealand for four years in the early 1960s. But the lack of opportunity drove them away to California where they made their fortunes in respective business endeavours. Working in the Silicon Valley, Ilene became vice president of a computer business, while Len established an engineering company.

In 1987, both were on separate business trips in different parts of the globe when they decided to take a week off to revisit New Zealand. Pubs no longer shut their doors at 6pm, the wine industry was burgeoning and unlimited opportunities awaited. The Birkwoods were once again enchanted with the beauty of the land and down-to-earth attitude of the people. So, they decided to give it another go.

Following a lead to establish a business in Taipa, they drove north with a real estate agent, which is how they discovered Taupo Bay. Walking to the top of a rise, they sat on the spot where their house is now and exclaimed "this is fantastic, we'll have it". Although it wasn't on the market, they made contact with the owners, negotiated a price and bought the property.

After hunting around for an architect they selected Peter Harrison of Whangarei firm Harrison & King. They were after a single-level, ranch-style house with high ceilings, abundant natural wood, open-plan spaces to maximise the sea views and big outdoor areas for entertaining.

Communicating by fax, the Birkwoods approved conceptual sketches from overseas. They were pleasantly surprised when they returned and the home was 70 percent complete. It was everything they'd dreamed of and the standard of craftsmanship was superb. "We were quite taken with the crew that worked on the property. They were old-world professionals. The house had the hallmarks of a very competent designer in the little things you don't normally see, things we hadn't even thought about, like all the windows being framed in rimu."

The house is large, opening from a formal entry with slate floors to the dining room. A rimu kitchen and breakfast nook adjoin a family living room with sea views on one level and a main lounge up a small flight of stairs. Featuring rimu sarking and large ceiling beams, the lounge is a triangular-shaped room, also with views. Living areas open out to timber decks and a slate-tiled barbecue area.

One of the parts of the Canadian cedar-clad home the Birkwoods like best is the big fireplace in the lounge, which is made of local stone from Taipa. The guy who made it was an absolute artist, they say. The outdoor barbecue is made with the same stone.

As well as an office, the house has three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. The air-conditioned main bedroom is a luxurious sanctuary with a dressing room and redwood-lined sauna. Independent from the rest of the home, the third bedroom is self-contained with its own kitchen, living area and entry, making it suitable for guests.

Len retired at the age of 56 when he came here, but the desire to travel has remained strong. For five or six months of the year, the Birkwoods are away, visiting their family in America and the UK. "To leave the property would have been a problem security-wise, so we built a two-bedroom house that we have tenants in. We have an agreement that when we travel, they look after the property and our bull mastiff, Diva. It works well for us and them."

Also on the property, near the hilltop at the northern end, a gazebo provides a perfect viewing platform. A second gazebo looks out to sea through native bush between two huge pohutukawa trees and a puriri where wood pigeons nest. "It's absolutely magic," says Len.

While travel is their most time-consuming passion, the Birkwoods are keen members of the golf club, which is about 15 minutes away. They also spend time on their 5m boat as Ilene loves to fish. They pull the boat down to the water's edge by tractor and launch it at the northern end of the property where they have riparian rights. Len assures the fishing is excellent as the water is sheltered from westerlies by Stevenson Island.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: Taupo Bay Rd, Taupo Bay.

FEATURES: Elevated lifestyle property with riparian rights; 1.5 hours from Whangarei; sandy, safe swimming beach; three-bedroom ranch-style home with Canadian cedar cladding and tile roof; three bedrooms; three bathrooms; office; large living areas opening to outdoors; tall ceilings; wine cellar; double garage; self-contained two-bedroom cottage; bore water supply pumped to tanks; boat shed; garage/workshop; tarsealed driveway; property surrounding main dwelling site fenced into small paddocks for grazing stock.

SIZE: Floor area 368.72sq m (excluding garaging and decks); land area 15.79ha.

PRICE: $2.8 million.

AGENT: Glenda Turner, Ray White Mark Saxton Real Estate, Mangonui. Ph 09 406 0579 bus; 0274 58 5920 mob.