After the epilogue
At some point – given the right location, the vision, and the way that vision unfolds – nothing can improve what has been achieved with a property and its story. This property is the epitome of that.
At some point – given the right location, the vision, and the way that vision unfolds – nothing can improve what has been achieved with a property and its story. This property is the epitome of that.
words Jo Ferris | photos Boundless Vision
The setting is Tauriko – River Oaks Drive – aptly named, thanks to the leafy ambience its handful of residents share in this prestige enclave. The distinctive aspect of this property isn’t simply the seclusion and dominant position. It’s the size and zoning. The elevated site borders Wairoa River, embracing breathtaking views across the valley to the hills. At around 6.33 hectares, this is one of only two rurally zoned lots in this enclave, complete with grazing and stockyards.
Perfect for farmers looking to downsize while keeping their hand in, this exquisite home looks further into the future. A five-star master retreat upstairs provides luxurious privacy with a bedroom that opens to a grandstand balcony and a bathroom that invites lingering moments gazing at the scenery. Forethought, however, created a second ensuite bedroom downstairs – its poolside connection adding a different perspective on life. With the bathroom doubling as a powder room for the pool, it’s an elegant guest suite in the meantime.
This home is masterfully designed to take full advantage of the scenery, while landscaping capitalises on the unusual site. In commanding this headland, the home doesn’t try to dominate nature. It honours it – bringing stone and timber together in a layered illusion with balance and harmony.
A soaring atrium and bridge in the foyer draw eyes outdoors to that stunning view. Glancing down, the reflection pool opens the first chapter of this home’s story. Architectural flair and innovative interior design define rooms with colour, tone and texture. Wall features create mood; lighting instils artistry and outdoor flow is integral to the function and flow. There are sheltered places to dine and relax, sun-drenched areas by the pool and up on the spa stage and bedroom balconies upstairs. Either watching the rising sun or toasting sunset as lights twinkle up and down the valley, this home provides special areas to retreat to and reflect on life in this unique place.
Additional aspects like the superb parking options – covered and open – solar panels, high-tech innovation, and the bonus of a heated swimming pool with swim jets and automated cover, all work to complete this home’s initial story. Headlined by refined city living and livestock on the side, River Oaks is ready for a new chapter.
37 River Oaks Drive, Tauriko, Tauranga
Perfectly poised
Oliver Road’s recent expansion into Hawke’s Bay brings their specialist real estate services up to a whole new level.
Oliver Road’s recent expansion into Hawke’s Bay brings their
specialist real estate services up to a whole new level.
Words Jo Ferris
Six years ago, Cam Winter believed there to be a gap in the Bay of Plenty market for an estate agency focused solely on representing unique, high-value homes. As Oliver Road approaches 150 sales totalling more than $340 million, it’s clear this gap did indeed exist.
Joined in 2019 by Jason and Abigail Eves, and Ben Hawan in 2022, the team’s success, in Cam’s words, can be attributed to “relentless, continuous improvement across everything we do, along with a clear focus on doing one thing well, along with an unwavering commitment to each and every client and the outcome of their sale.”
Throughout the recent market correction, Oliver Road invested heavily to ensure their luxury real estate marketing platform remained unrivalled in their industry – recently taking on a full-time digital and marketing manager. Mckenzie Comer is a seasoned digital and social media professional with an impressive track record that spans over six years. Throughout her dynamic career, she has made her mark leading digital strategies for various clients, including some of New Zealand’s most prominent corporate giants.
“In the ever-expanding digital landscape, strategic cross-channel paid marketing ensures that our real estate content doesn't just look good but reaches the right audience in the most effective manner,” says Mckenzie. Her comprehensive understanding of optimising campaigns to ensure maximum reach and engagement are already paying dividends for Oliver Road and their clients, with new buyer enquiry and offers being made on properties that can be directly attributed to her talented efforts behind the scenes.
Last year, Oliver Road also employed a talented photographer full-time, ensuring this important task could be approached with time and space, something Cam believes “can’t be said for real estate photographers with 30+ shoots to juggle every week.”
Photographer Jerusha Razey can’t get enough of this new pace and what it means for Oliver Road’s clients. “It’s so special being able to photograph a beautiful property across multiple days, combining sunrise, golden-hour, twilight and more without having to convince a client that the spend will be worth it. Or worse, having to call and postpone their booked time to catch up on a backlog of other shoots due to bad weather the week before!”
It’s clear how important Cam believes this to be, adding, “Photography is arguably the most fundamental element of any real estate campaign. To produce anything less than exceptional is not an option.”
Beyond Oliver Road’s foundational Bay of Plenty operation, late last year the agency opened in Hawke’s Bay, partnering with experienced local agents Nic Goodman and Fiona Harper. Some years ago, Nic and Fiona identified Oliver Road as a unique, luxury estate agency with exceptional marketing selling high-end homes in Bay of Plenty. They set their sights on bringing Oliver Road to Hawke’s Bay and are proud to have recently formed this exciting partnership. “Sellers of Hawke’s Bay’s most fabulous homes have waited long enough for a specialist agency, one that can deliver world-class marketing and superior results,” Nic says, adding, “we’re here to prove that the wait is over.” Beyond the two “Bays”, a third office servicing the Coatesville and wider Rodney area has just launched, and plans are underway further afield to bring Oliver Road’s specialist approach to both Queenstown and Christchurch.
Accolades including the recent “Best Independent Luxury Real Estate Agency in NZ” for the third year running (Luxury Lifestyle Awards), along with Jason’s position in the top one percent of salespeople nationwide (RateMyAgent), it could be fair to conclude that, as one recent client wrote in reviewing their experience, “These guys are without doubt the absolute best in the business.”
A class of its own
The luxury and lifestyle experts bridging the gap on the coast. Oliver Road Estate Agents is adding to its already impressive repertoire.
The luxury and lifestyle experts bridging the gap on the coast
Words Monique Balvert-O’Connor / photos supplied
Oliver Road Estate Agents is adding to its already impressive repertoire.
The luxury and lifestyle specialist company has launched a re-fresh, adding a “coastal” focus to its town and country offerings.
The company has proven itself to be hugely successful in the absolute upper end of the Tauranga market. Now there are plans to “fill the gap for a specialist luxury approach” over the bridge. The highly impressive number 98 Muricata Avenue, for example, is on its books.
Oliver Road is headed by two passionate professionals – Cameron Winter and Jason Eves – who say their company is poised to deliver results to Mt Maunganui clients and curate experiences for buyers that transcends what the market is used to.
“We work with a limited number of clients and their unique properties to ensure we are able to consistently deliver a world-class service which includes valuation, discovery, finishing, furnishing, marketing, negotiation, and a wrap-around settlement concierge service,” Cam says.
In addition, marketing includes architect, builder and interior designer recognition. “Impressive creativity, high value, and talented effort have gone into the homes we market and this deserves acknowledgement.”
Accolades, and client testimonials, whole-heartedly endorse this three-year-old company’s approach. The company were awarded Best Luxury Real Estate Agency in New Zealand last year at the Asia Pacific Property Awards, and also nabbed Best Real Estate Agent in New Zealand, going on to win Best Real Estate Agent in Asia-Pacific. But it didn’t stop there. They also beat out the competition in Best Real Estate Agency Marketing New Zealand and scored runner up in Best Real Estate Agency Single Office.
To top it all off, RateMyAgent and Google both gave the company a 5.0 star rating.
As Jason says, doing things well is the only way to do things.
Muricata magic
More than a home, this retreat represents the spell-binding epitome of innovative design, craftsmanship and pure allure.
The departing residents of 98 Muricata Ave tell their house it’s been a privilege knowing it. Leaving isn’t easy, but this couple say they have “more chapters in life to ride”.
This address, which they’ve called home since August 2019, is like a tranquil retreat right in the middle of the hurly burly of Mount Maunganui. “It’s been an absolute privilege living there and, in keeping with that privilege, we have kept it absolutely immaculate,” they say.
While originally built for a celebrity chef, those now selling have been its first residents.
They are joined by many when it comes to singing its praises.
The home’s builders, JC Builders, describe it as “a work of art”.
Its architectural designer, Jason McDonald of JMAC, says it presents a marriage of “meticulous innovative design, masterful craftsmanship, and an absolute refusal to compromise on quality”.
And the interior design team from Gezellig Interiors speak of its bespoke features. Think imported Turkish wall tiles, aged brass fittings, porcelain benches, and hand-blown glass light fittings.
Beyond the alluring, sophisticated exterior of modern cedar and dark accents, cleverly contrasting natural mediums enhance the home's warm and light aesthetic. As do walls of both polished concrete and cedar feature, and oak cabinetry and custom-made organic fixtures.
All social spaces, including, as one would expect, an incredible cooking zone, are situated on the ground floor, and movement is open and flows from street entry out to a large protected outdoor room at the rear of the property. A natural, light-infused stairwell, with open tread stairs, leads to the upper level’s retreat-like sleep spaces.
While the home is only one accessway from the beach, there’s water closer at hand, courtesy of a swimming pool.
You name it, this property has it.
All seasons’ sanctuary
This country estate masterfully combines nature and nurture – from the spectacular views through to its timber and glass pods, to the bountiful orchard and garden, it encompasses a sanctum of serenity.
Board and batten Lawson Cypress embraces this Mana Ridge beauty of a home, contributing significantly to its country estate ambience.
Architectural designer Adam Taylor says its architecture delivers an approachable rustic feel that is at the same time modern. Its makeup is a celebration of timber, an infusion of natural light, and a neutral palette. Its current owners (the house is listed with Oliver Road Estate Agents) say these things in combination equal “peaceful sanctuary”.
The home comprises three pods. One is dedicated to garaging with a guest suite above, another houses the main living area with its high-pitched and barn-like aesthetic, and the remaining is a bedroom zone. A glass-walled linkway, connecting the latter two, offers spectacular views (it’s easy to get distracted by the city’s night lights when journeying between pods).
Sited up high, this 1.4 hectare property - which includes an orchard and potager vege gardens - also enjoys expansive green views, and Mauao in the distance.
The house opens up on all sides, with the walkways and courtyards between the pods creating pockets of intimacy. There’s a place outdoors for every time of the day and every season.
Adam tells how, in a nod to its rural neighbourhood, the design references a cluster of farm buildings joined together to make one whole. (There’s always the opportunity to add a further pod.)
Three years ago, homeowners and Adam were joined on this house project by an impressive team of creatives - namely Jacqui Mitchell of Twill Interiors, Michelle McDonnell of Michelle McDonnell Landscape Design, and the Lighthouse Group building team. The result is a stunner that oozes country and contemporary charm combined.
23 Te Auhi Way, Mana Ridge