Waimauku: Links with the past

By CEDRIC GRAY

The valley has long been recognised as being one of the most fertile in the near north. Early settlers, on the trek between Riverhead and the Kaipara Harbour, bought their fruit and vegetables from valley growers. Now it produces quality wines and is the home of superb rural restaurants.

It is Waikoukou Valley, Waimauku, a short distance from Kumeu. Beautifully sheltered, it has a valley floor of rich river loam. The gentle to steeper slopes provide ideal grazing country - or did do before more than a dozen vineyards began to change the land use.

In recent years, sheep and cattle farms have been subdivided into small units, and all have been snapped up by horse enthusiasts, people keen to sample country life and those wanting to establish horticultural operations. Quality homes have vastly increased property values.

A delightful 5.9ha property at 238 Waikoukou Rd, however, retains strong links with the past. Little of the land, which is flat to gently rolling, has gone under the plough. Instead, more than 50 species of native trees have been allowed to mature, including a kauri believed to be more than 300 years old and other species that have been left untouched for more than 100 years.

The property, known as Brookvale, has prospered under its present owners, a "green fingered" couple who have created cosy glades, added beauty to the garden setting and garden furniture for outdoor relaxation, and further enhanced what their friends have described as "the prettiest spot in the valley".

There is windmill-generated irrigation to the lawns, gardens and an orchard near the house. Mature native bush lines a section of the Waikoukou Stream, which forms the rear boundary.

The seven well-fenced paddocks in healthy pasture graze about 30 sheep, and would be equally suited to horse grazing. Two large horse boxes are located in a 54sq m barn, which has its own power supply and separate road access.

The well-presented, ranch-style home was built in the mid-1960s. It has two bedrooms and spacious casual and formal living areas. North-facing and on a peaceful site, it features a generous kitchen that serves a family dining room and the formal lounge. Ranchslider doors open to a pleasant outdoor water garden and a veranda that flows to a terrace that wraps around the rear of the home.

In the same garden setting there is a studio with a bathroom, double carport, garage, workshop and office.

Marketed by Norwest Real Estate, Kumeu, the property has an asking price of $890,000. For more information, contact Lin Childs on 412 8876 or 021 450 507.