luxury architect houses for sale Raukawa, New Zealand

Some homes are shaped by their outlook. This one is designed around it. Set in Tauroa Valley, one of Havelock North’s most desirable lifestyle settings, this Simon Clarkson-designed residence has been created to make the most of its position, privacy and long views across the landscape. Afternoon light moves through the living spaces, catching the lawn, garden and outlook beyond. From here, the view reaches across Havelock North to the ranges, with Napier Hill in the distance and a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. Low rooflines and generous expanses of glass give the home a strong connection to its surroundings, with the landscape becoming part of the experience from every living space. There is a lovely contrast between the broad outlook from the main living areas and the more sheltered feel of the pool. Surrounded by established planting and tucked comfortably into the architecture, it becomes a natural place to spend a summer afternoon. Inside, three separate living spaces provide flexibility without feeling disconnected, offering places to gather, retreat, work or simply sit with the sun and the view. Four bedrooms, a separate office and two bathrooms provide generous accommodation, while four-car garaging adds a level of practicality that is increasingly difficult to find. Beyond the property itself, Tauroa Valley is known for its natural setting. More than 700 native trees and plants have been established throughout the area, creating an environment rich in flora and fauna and attracting native birdlife. Despite the sense of privacy and separation, Havelock North Village is only a few minutes away by car, with its cafés, restaurants, boutiques and everyday amenities close at hand. The walking and mountain biking trails of Te Mata Peak are just a short walk from home. It is a compelling combination of architecture, outlook and lifestyle - private, spacious and connected to one of Hawke’s Bay’s most desirable locations. Not simply a home defined by what it has, but by the things you would get to notice every day.

Some homes are bought. Others are entrusted to their next custodian.  Woodcroft is one of the latter.  Designed and built in 1921 by James Walter Chapman-Taylor and recognised on the Havelock North Architectural Trail, it is an important example of New Zealand Arts and Crafts architecture - but its significance becomes much easier to understand once you're inside it.  More than a century later, Chapman-Taylor's hand is still everywhere. In timber that was shaped rather than manufactured. In small-framed windows capturing pieces of garden. In roughcast walls, intimate rooms and details that reveal themselves gradually rather than demanding attention. Those are things a new house cannot recreate.  What Woodcroft's most recent custodians have achieved is equally important: they have preserved those qualities without requiring the next owner to live as though it were still 1921.  Between 2021 and 2025, the property underwent an extensive programme of restoration, alteration and infrastructure renewal in partnership with Designgroup Stapleton Elliott. Roofs were replaced, insulation added, electrical and plumbing systems substantially renewed, windows and hardware restored, bathrooms refreshed and floor finishes replaced.  The intention was never to turn Woodcroft into a museum.  It was to allow it to live beautifully in its second century.  Nowhere is that more apparent than the kitchen pavilion. Here the house shifts naturally from historic architecture to contemporary family life - a generous kitchen and social space where cooking, conversation and people can occupy the same room, before spilling outside into the garden. Landscape architect Shannon Bray has approached the grounds with similar restraint. Rather than one manicured garden, the 1,386m² property unfolds through a collection of outdoor spaces, with established trees and planting providing the sense that the house has always belonged exactly where it sits.  The heated pool and cabana introduce a more relaxed contemporary layer, while the original brick service building has found an entirely new life as a self-contained studio apartment with independent access - useful for guests, family, older children or work.  The main house provides four bedrooms, including an ensuite, while the studio adds further accommodation, bringing the property to five bedrooms overall. Its position within walking distance of four Havelock North schools and close to the village makes what could easily have been simply an important architectural property an unusually workable family home. Woodcroft will not be for everyone; nor should it be.  It is for someone who notices the difference between something old and something enduring. Someone who values workmanship that cannot easily be repeated, but who also wants warmth, function and modern infrastructure.  For its next owner, Woodcroft offers something increasingly scarce: The opportunity to live comfortably in a piece of New Zealand architectural history - and become part of what happens to it next.  Key features  • Designed and built in 1921 by James Walter Chapman-Taylor  • Recognised on the Havelock North Architectural Trail  • Significant Arts and Crafts architecture  • Major restoration and renovation between 2021-2025  • Architectural work by Designgroup Stapleton Elliott  • Landscape design by Shannon Bray  • Approximately 238m² main residence  • Four bedrooms within the main residence  • Self-contained approximately 34m² studio apartment  • Contemporary designer kitchen  • Heated 5m x 5m low-salt swimming pool  • New cabana and poolside entertaining  • Roofs replaced across home, studio and garage  • Plumbing and electrical systems substantially renewed  • Approximately 33m² garage  • 1,386m² established site  • Walking distance to four Havelock North schools  For a full information pack including floor plans, title and the LIM, please place this link into your browser - https://bit.ly/Woodcroft51SimlaAve  For sale by Negotiation.

Whether you're a family seeking modern living, an executive couple wanting space to entertain, or downsizers looking for quality without compromise, this exceptional home delivers premium architectural design, modern comfort and outstanding value, without the delays, rising costs and uncertainty of building yourself. Thoughtfully designed across two pavilion-style wings, the home achieves a seamless balance of connection, comfort and privacy. At its heart, the light-filled living pavilion showcases impressive cathedral ceilings, expansive glazing, a modern barn door and effortless indoor-outdoor flow to a sun-soaked west-facing deck. The open plan kitchen, dining and living area is designed for both entertaining and everyday living, complemented by a generous walk-in scullery offering exceptional storage and workspace. A second living room with stacker sliders that open out to a north facing deck, adds valuable flexibility as a second living area, home office or fourth bedroom. Privately positioned, the primary suite provides a relaxing retreat complete with a walk-in wardrobe, tiled ensuite and direct deck access, while two additional double bedrooms are serviced by generous wardrobes with built in joinery, a stylish family bathroom and separate WC. Quality is evident throughout, with engineered oak flooring, ducted heating and cooling, double glazing, a whole-home water filtration system and an integral double garage complete with loft storage. Finished to a high standard and ready to enjoy, this home combines modern convenience with timeless style. Positioned within the increasingly sought-after Mission Hills Estate, this elevated home enjoys privacy, all-day sun and a sense of space that exceeds expectations. Designed as a lifestyle-focused community, Mission Hills will feature interconnected walkways, landscaped green spaces, a neighbourhood reserve and playground, along with a planned village centre offering boutique retail and everyday conveniences. All while remaining just minutes from Taradale, Napier's CBD and Hawke's Bay Airport. With motivated vendors and exceptional value already reflected in the price, this is a fantastic opportunity to secure a premium new build while investing in one of Napier's most exciting emerging communities. Be sure to view to experience firsthand the scale, quality and lifestyle that make this home such a standout offering in Mission Hills Estate.