Waiheke Island: As good as it gets

This absolutely stunning, award-winning home makes for a top-notch Waiheke lifestyle, writes VICKI HOLDER.

huge wrap-around views across the Hauraki Gulf make this Waiheke holiday home a welcoming retreat for the whole clan or just for two.

As they already had a bach on Kawau Island, north of Auckland, the owners never intended shifting. But when they saw this 4ha property on a sloping site they made a snap decision, and 24 hours later they were planning to move again. With a busy lifestyle and impatient teenage children on board, the short ferry trip to Waiheke appealed. Soon afterwards, they contacted architect Simon Carnachan to discuss the design of their new beach house.

"We talked about all the things we liked about Kawau and what we wanted to replicate, because we were very sad to sell," says the owner. "We told him we loved the wharf. Every night we used to walk down and sit above the water on the wharf. Consequently Simon came up with the idea of the two cantilevered wings, then he said 'there are your wharves'."

Simon's design is based around a half circle of decking and a swimming pool bisected by two suspended wings that angle out, cantilevering over the slope. Three outdoor living areas are created by the wings, giving separate spaces for varying numbers of holidaymakers.

"You either have just us or you end up with lots, especially at Christmas. The house works well with lots of visitors. We've accommodated 20 people at different times. Often we want to be where the children aren't. They can be in the pool and we can be on the east or west decks away from them and their noise."

Although the site is exposed to the wind, the glass and steel wings create shelter. "You can pretty much always get somewhere that still has a view, but it's protected. That's the most amazing feature of the house. It's interesting when you visit other houses on Matiatia. You discover ours is quite special in this respect."

The symmetrical design of the house is entered through double doors between two double garages upstairs. One side is used as a games room by the children "to hang out in", with bunks, a pool table and a television, as well as a bathroom and the laundry. Steps lead downstairs to the dining space there the sensational view unfolds. No expense was spared in the kitchen, which features a large timber-topped breakfast bar where everybody tends to congregate.

The owner bought the biggest fridge she could get over to Waiheke to confine supermarket shopping to a minimum. Frequent large-scale entertaining is made easy with two ovens, including a Bosch combination oven. Up to 40 people have sat down to dinner here with ease.

Beyond the kitchen, the master bedroom suite keeps its distance from the rest of the household. Cantilevered out, it has the best views in Auckland, according to the owner, as it looks out over Rakino Island.

Other bedrooms open to decks behind the lounge opposite. Both have en suite bathrooms that are "typically Carnachan - white, light and bright, simple and functional".

In addition, there are two separate lounge/study rooms that double as twin guest bedrooms and open to the main living area through bifold louvre doors.

The owners love the cleverness of the detail in the roof design where round, steel, structural tubes connect with concrete pillars. Yet for the most part the detailing is incredibly clean and simple, giving the home a relaxed beachy feel. The Tasmanian oak flooring throughout makes light of dripping wet feet. Then again, luxuries like the air conditioning, reticulated sound system, the gas fireplace in the dining area and a wood fireplace in the lounge are a little more than you would expect to find in the average Kiwi bach.

Landscaping by Ted Smyth helps to make the property totally self-sufficient with lots of stones, flaxes, grasses and aloes.

The gated, security aspect of Matiatia Estate makes a huge difference, adds the owner. "We love it. You don't get the tourists. It's very private, a great community - friendly without being in your face."

Winning a prestigious New Zealand Institute of Architects award in 2002, this spectacular home makes a stunning environment in which to enjoy the beauty and solitude of nature.

Vital Statistics

ADDRESS: 165 Delamore Dr, Matiatia Estate, Waiheke Island.

FEATURES: Award-winning home designed by Simon Carnachan with interiors by Robyn Carnachan; spectacular Hauraki Gulf and city views; large formal and casual living spaces; gas fireplace in living area and wood fire in lounge; heated pool; outdoor fireplace; three double bedrooms with en suites; two separate lounge/study rooms that open to main living area; two double garages with internal access - one serving as children's bunk room with separate shower and toilet; landscaping by Ted Smyth; private automated gates to Matiatia Estate; 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland.

SIZE: Land area 3.9243ha.

TENDER CLOSES: March 19 at 4pm.

AGENTS: Nicola Bull and Martin Dobson, Kellands. Ph 302 2209 bus; Nicola 021 474 645 mob, Martin 021 376 952 mob.