'The Good Life' in Te Puna...

Organic kiwifruit, grazing, enough fruit trees for a sumptuous fresh fruit salad, a prolific vegetable garden, eggs from your own hens, and a solidly spacious relaxed home opening to sheltered grounds. Live the good life on 2.9 hectares.

It would not be hard to be self sufficient on this comprehensive property in Te Puna's peaceful Lochhead Road. The property will appeal to 'green' sensitivities with its 1.2canopy hectares of organically certified green kiwifruit and the wetlands that wrap the grazing below the orchard. The many unusual trees in the park like grounds will have gardeners searching their reference books.
Apart from the load out area, potentially a section on its own, beside the wetland at the bottom, this property hides peacefully up the tree lined drive. From the deck off the living room there is a peep of the harbour. Residents are otherwise surrounded by the green of their garden where paths wander under mature foliage, where a pool beckons on hot days, where hedges keep the world at bay.

The 1975 plaster over concrete block home was extended in 1985. Then in 1991, a new roof involving lifting some ceilings for height and light proved a very effective improvement. It is now long and low with a couple of the bedrooms and the very generous living areas opening to a wide verandah over patio. This becomes deck as you step down to the living room end. A conservatory near the entrance is a favourite place to contemplate the garden in the morning. The verandah side gets all the afternoon sun; the shade welcome in high summer. In winter two fireplaces and a heat transfer system keep warm air circulating.
Rimu features in both kitchen and bathroom cabinetry. The master bedroom has a small en suite and a walled area directly outside for even more privacy.

There is additional accommodation or rental potential in a Dutch barn style flat on the other side of the double carport. Equipment and farm implements get the workshop/garage in the garden or can be stored in the barn at the back of the property.
The kiwifruit block that is almost an extension of the grounds (no worries with sprays here) has still to reach its potential. The estimated 2009 crop of 3,500 trays could increase to up to 7,000 trays as the vines mature.

These owners have loved the peace, the birdlife and the friendly community atmosphere in Te Puna. The local school and sports grounds are just up the road and city amenities ever closer with the motorway and Bethlehem's development. Self sufficiency is just one choice when you enjoy the good life in Te Puna.