It was a tranquil coastal escape that Adam and Laurie Reynolds were looking for when they purchased this spectacular Mataka Station property 16 years ago.
They were expats living in Asia and sought a base that they could bring their kids back to enjoy classic Kiwi holidays and reconnect with family.
“It’s a beautiful, beautiful place and it really served our purpose,” says Adam. “We wanted a place where all the family could get together and we could relax when we were home from our overseas work.”
Lot 2 is a 55ha estate located within Mataka Station – the beautiful Bay of Islands natural farm and conservation estate. Just 30 home sites exist among 1148ha of protected farmland and bush, with the handful of owners enjoying access to private beaches, boat launching facilities and a sense of privacy rarely found in coastal communities.
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“We love the weather up here in the Bay of Islands, going fishing and all the water activities you can do here, it’s a fantastic place to be.”
The house was one of the first built at Mataka Station and was already standing when the couple purchased the property. It was designed by Auckland architect Ken Crosson and thanks to its prime ridgeline position, showcases 270-degree views over land and sea.
On his website, Crosson says he took design cues from the Maori word Mataka, meaning “shining faces”.
“Just as the massive coastal cliffs provide angled rocky faces, so too does the house, with walls and glass lines displaying subtle shifts that catch the light differently throughout the day.”
The Ken Crosson-designed home has four bedrooms, five bathrooms, garaging, and multiple living areas. Photo / Supplied
“The big living spaces mean we can have all the children, grandchildren and everyone here and it never feels too crowded,” says the owner. Photo / Supplied
The residence enjoys 270-degree views over land and sea. Photo / Supplied
To remain in keeping with this original concept, they enlisted Crosson to design their significant renovations, which included the swimming pool complex and some extra rooms.
Family and visitors are catered for, with all four bedrooms enjoying their own ensuite and the primary suite positioned privately within its own wing. Open-plan living, dining and entertaining zones sprawl out over one level and face out towards the alfresco living and cinematic ocean views.
“The big living spaces mean we can have all the children, grandchildren and everyone here and it never feels too crowded.”
It’s not just humans that adore the property.
“One of the things we love most is the amazing number of kiwi that nest in our garden. Every single night there are kiwi running around and The Kiwi Trust say that we’ve got the highest concentration of kiwis on private land in New Zealand.”
Open-plan living, dining and entertaining zones spread out over one level and face out towards alfresco living and cinematic ocean views. Photo / Supplied
Bayleys agent Irene Bremner says this is a rare opportunity to secure a significant waterfront landholding. Photo / Supplied
While the tranquillity of the location is paramount here, the vibrant townships of Kerikeri and Waipapa are only a 20-minute drive away and cater to all daily needs.
The Reynolds are now moving to Australia to be closer to family and Irene Bremner from Bayleys says that this is a rare opportunity to secure a significant landholding in one of New Zealand’s most exclusive waterfront estates.
“Mataka Station is incredibly sought after and to have a house already built there is very special. The new owners can chopper in and chopper out of one of the most special places in the Bay of Islands.”
Lot 2 Mataka Station, in the Bay of Islands, is for sale by international tender, deadline closing February 10, 2027.
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