- The South Auckland property where All Black legend Kieran Read grew up is on the market after 28 years.
- Terry and Marilyn Read bought the 10-acre Karaka property in 1997 for under $500,000.
- The property, listed with ex-league star Richie Blackmore, has an RV of $2.375 million.
The South Auckland lifestyle property that helped form All Blacks legend Kieran Read is on the market for sale for the first time in 28 years.
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Kieran’s parents, Terry and Marilyn, told OneRoof they bought the four-bedroom home at 63 Whatapaka Road, in Karaka, in 1997 for under $500,000.
The couple had moved from nearby Papakura, thinking the property, a traditional 10-acre block carved off a dairy farm, would make a great spot for Kieran and his brothers, Gareth and Mark.
Terry put in a set of rugby goal posts (now long gone) for the boys to practice their kicking. "The boys would be kicking the balls over. Being here just gave them a bit of space,” Marilyn told OneRoof.
“They played touch rugby and frisbee there. It was also a cricket pitch."
63 Whatapaka Road, in Karaka, Auckland, was Read's childhood home. Photo / Supplied
Still imposing as a teenager: Read in his school rugby days. Photo / Supplied
The boys were now scattered between Hamilton, Palmerston North, and Christchurch, and had kids of their own, but they'll chuck a ball around the lawn when they visit. "They are all still into it. They love it,” Terry said.
The property is close to Drury, where the boys played rugby, and Terry and Marilyn remember busy Saturdays ferrying the kids to sporting matches. “We carted them down there. We’d go three ways on a Saturday morning, all around Franklin and then in Pukekohe in higher grades,” the Reads said.
"Kieran was in the first 15 at Rosehill for three years. Those were good times, and he is still mates with some of them,” Terry said.
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Marilyn said Kieran and his brothers took a shine to physical work on the property. “The boys helped Terry dig our first pool; it is still there," she said.
“Kieran helped a lot with physical stuff. He used to love planting gardens. We had gum trees that needed to be felled, and he would sell firewood. He would be on the end of the axe and Terry would be on the chainsaw,” she said.
The four-bedroom house copes well when the extended clan comes to visit, with a few mattresses on the floor of the rumpus room and the couple’s caravan coping with any overflow. “The house has to have elastic sides,” Marilyn said.
The new kitchen comfortably hosts the extended family . Photo / Supplied
The four-bedroom home at Whatapaka Road, Karaka, has been reclad, with insulation, double glazing and a renovated kitchen. Photo / Supplied
Read helped his dad, Terry, build the family swimming pool soon after they moved to the lifestyle block in Karaka. Photo / Supplied
“It can be hectic, but as long as you provide plenty of food and plenty of outdoor activities, it is good.” A big umbrella tree is a popular spot to gather in summer, as is the outdoor pool.
The couple said they were selling to spend more time in their caravan and visiting their grandkids.
"We've done our dash having animals. We have got a caravan and like to up and go,” Marilyn said.
Selling the property is another rugby stalwart, albeit in another code. Former Warriors player turned agent Richie Blackmore has the listing with his wife, Felicity.
Felicity declined to indicate price, but the property has an RV of $2.375 million, and Felicity said a neighbouring property on Whatapaka Road had sold for $2.3m a couple of months ago.
"It is a comfortable distance to the motorway for those who commute to work, and access to Te Hihi and Strathallan schools,” she said.
"I have not heard of stories where growing up on a lifestyle had a detrimental impact. Wouldn't you want a place where your kids could play and hang with their mates till the sun went down? It all sounds good to me, and it produces All Blacks!"
- 63 Whatapaka Road, Karaka, Auckland, is for sale, deadline closing October 1
