Peter and Maureen Hawkins stumbled upon their much-loved waterfront property purely by chance, and have relished every second of the 26 years they’ve lived there since.
They were looking for a house with a view in the Howick/Pakuranga area as they had lived and worked in the area for 25 years and while on an outing with a real estate agent looking at options, fate intervened.
“The agent got a call to check out a property nearby and said, ‘I know it’s not what you’re looking for, but you’re welcome to come down and have a look’. I think we’d only walked in about 20 metres, saw the view and looked at each other and said, ‘we could live here’,” laughs Peter.
Located at the tip of a picturesque point, the half-acre (2139sqm) site celebrates an incredibly special connection with the water, which envelops it from two sides. The sweeping lawns and park-like grounds are elevated above (and have gated access to) the Rotary walkway and are a haven for native birdlife.
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30 Sanctuary Point in Sunnyhills, Manukau City, Auckland, is for sale by way of tender closing November 8. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom waterfront property has a 2021 RV of $6 million and, according to OneRoof data, last changed hands in 1997 for $940,000.
The 1970s Hinuera Stone residence is comfortable, elegant and inviting. An almost entirely single level floorplan makes for easy living and entertaining, and the walls of floor-to-ceiling glass throughout maximise every facet of the mesmerising and forever-changing view.
“I love the fact that it’s secluded, it’s quiet, it’s relaxing, and the sunsets are magnificent, as is the water itself,” says Maureen. “It changes from dead flat and calm to really gnarly with white seahorses.”
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom waterfront property is located at the tip of a picturesque point and has sweeping water views. Photo / Supplied
Peter adds: “The first thing we do when we wake up is to go to the window, open the blind and look out at the view to see what’s happening. If it’s early in the morning you can hear the megaphones from the guys coaching the rowers.”
Crafts of all shapes and sizes cruise by – family boats, ferries, tugboats, barges, super yachts, dragon boats and windsurfers. The Panmure Yacht Club is to the south and Pakuranga Sailing Club to the north.
“When the river is near to full tide and the yachts are tacking, they look so large that you would think they would hit the window.”
The couple have found the prolific birdlife to be another particularly special feature and have grandstand views through their large picture windows.
“Many tuis, blackbirds, thrushes and starlings live here. The kingfishers also have nests here and they occasionally swim in our pool. Quite unique, they stand on the side of the pool, dive in and have a splash around about six times, then fly up onto a branch and preen themselves,” says Peter.
There’s plenty of space to spread out inside, with the pragmatic layout shaped like a T. From the front entry there is a separate office, lounge and formal dining, which both flow out to the patio. Then the kitchen, living and dining space is open plan and warmed by the large stone fireplace.
Three bedrooms are located in their own wing, with their own bathroom, a study and large rumpus. On the other side, the master retreat is also in its own wing, with a walk-in wardrobe, ensuite and patio access.
“The large, grassed area on the north boundary is great for children to play and we have used it for an after-wedding gathering, as well as erecting a marquee for a wedding anniversary party.”
The house has a 350sqm floorplan on land measuring 2139sqm. Photo / Supplied
From the bedroom you can hear the megaphones from the guys coaching the rowers. Photo / Supplied
There is also a private 10-metre pool and inground spa enveloped within lush well-established gardens on the property.
This neighbourhood is well-connected and convenient. Half Moon Bay ferry to Auckland is a short drive away, shops are close by and Saint Kentigern College and Sunnyhills Primary are within walking distance.
The couple are now sadly moving on to retirement living. “It’s a lovely property and a lovely place to be,” says Peter.
Listing agent Gary Robertson, from Bayleys Howick, says that 30 Sanctuary Point is a magic piece of real estate.
“These days there’s some pretty big concerns with clifftop properties, which brings this one into its own. It’s half an acre in a well covenanted area and essentially has two frontages that face water, because it’s on a point.
“Both of the aspects are what people want – one is north-facing and one is westerly-facing. I would say that arguably it is the best piece of waterfront land currently for sale in the area, given its size and aspect, and probably one of the best in Auckland, when you consider that there’s no clifftop issues and there’s no road in front of it,” he says.
Robertson says that as well as buyers who want to live in paradise and enjoy what the land and comfortable home have to offer, it may be for someone who says, “I want a blank canvas and am going to bring in my architect and build essentially the best house in the area”.
- Sponsored by Bayleys
- 30 Sanctuary Point in Sunnyhills, Manukau City, is for tender closing November 8
