The whare (house)

Clad in cedar and grounded by a native mātaī timber floor, the house is filled with the warmth and fragrance of natural materials. The untreated Lawson’s cypress ceiling lends a beautiful, aromatic quality to the interior, while finely crafted joinery in recycled kauri and rimu brings a sense of history and character.

At the heart of the home, a Rayburn wood burner with wetback provides warmth to the central heating radiators, creating a cosy retreat in the cooler months. The bathroom offers a simple, comfortable shower with excellent water pressure and a flush toilet.

A wraparound verandah extends the living spaces into the landscape, creating an easy connection with the land and the ever-changing mountain environment. The house has been thoughtfully designed to respond to the seasons: shaded and cool through the summer, while allowing the low winter sun to stream deep into the living spaces.

The main bedroom offers an extraordinary perspective of the mountains — with views from the bed that make waking each morning an experience in itself. The second bedroom, with a double bed and set of bunks, is intentionally flexible. It can serve as additional sleeping space or be transformed into a dedicated art studio, writing space or massage room, depending on the needs of each guest.

For comfort, creativity and quiet pleasure, the house is equipped with an electric sit-stand desk, a generous reading armchair and a wonderfully soft Wilson & Dorset shaggy wool beanbag. A classic Pavoni lever espresso machine makes morning coffee a ritual, while a carefully chosen library brings together classic New Zealand literature alongside books exploring the craft and practice of writing.