My new home sits at the lower end of sixteen acres (6.6 Hectares) of mostly bush clad land which is part of a subdivision of eleven blocks cut off the back of a farm where it dropped steeply down the side of a small valley. This photograph is taken looking across the valley from a neighbouring farm. You see a glimpse of the road forming my front boundary and the bush extending through the top right-hand side of the picture. The property was purchased as a family trust at the beginning of 2006 and I moved into the house in July 2009

The house from the driveway with scaffolding still in place waiting for me to get around to painting the exterior. Rain water is collected as the hot water supply while fresh cold water is piped down from a natural spring.

There is a generous area of decking opening off the front and side of the lounge with the meeting-house style roof extension sheltering the front entrance and providing permanent barbecue shelter.
I lived through four winters in the mobile home parked at the top of the drive. It was a shock to discover that despite being in the “winterless north” this wee valley has some quite heavy frosts. That is now taken care of with double glazing and a log fire

Morning light streaming into the lounge.
The kitchen is in the same room and has a large walk-in pantry

The computer room

The view from the computer room window during construction

The bedroom

Bedroom view looking down the river flats. They are subject to flooding during heavy rain and will never be built on so privacy is ensured

Honda motorised carrier that will carry half a ton on the flat and is capable of getting up and down very steep slopes. It is otherwise known as my motorised Zimmer Frame

I used the carrier to bring retaining wall rocks down from the top of the property and a chain block to lift them into place. The machine is invaluable for collecting firewood

Forming tracks has been a challenge and great fun.
Constant possum trapping over four years has made an appreciable difference to the health of the bush.

Prior to 2006 cattle grazed beneath the trees but now in their absence undergrowth is rapidly regenerating. Nikau palms and various ferns predominate in this particular area where the trees are mainly totara, rewarewa and rimu with just a few kauris. For some reason the steeper places have a greater variety of species. There are probably few trees older than 100 years due to pioneer logging for timber or destruction by the devastating Puhipuhi forest fires about the turn of the century

Just beyond the northern boundary kohekohe trees and native liana passion fruit vines grow among these large basalt boulders. This neighbouring waterfall is spectacular during heavy rain

Large rimu

Looking to the top corner from about half-way up the southern boundary fence. I am encouraging this strip of pasture to revert to bush. There is some gorse to contend with but blackberry is the main menace though it does make wonderfully tasty jelly

The Kaimamaku stream winding down the valley affords many beautiful places for grandchildren to play. Trout fishing occurs and there are eels and fresh water crayfish for the taking. At night there are myriad glow worms on the ferny banks

The east coast has lovely places to visit with the nearest being Helena Bay just fifteen minutes drive away

Mimiwhangata is an extensive Department of Conservation park a bit further down the coast

To the north is Oakura Beach

Whangaruru Harbour

Bland Bay

Taupiri Bay