Sally Dawson and Chris Moreton never planned to take up country life. The pair, both real estate agents, were happy in the city until a client purchased a four bay Victorian villa on a rear site in Greenlane, believed to have once belonged to Sir John Logan Campbell.

This grand old Warkworth villa seems to have been here forever, but in fact it was moved here from Epsom 30 years ago. Built in 1917 by a timber merchant who lavished his best kauri on it, it now has breathtaking views north to the bush-clad ramparts of Dome Valley.

Five years ago, the Dowling family bought ten acres on Matakana Road. It had river frontage and a random collection of buildings. 

A short drive from Matakana on your way to Tawharanui, is the new home of Debbie and Michael Jones; a stunning black and white modern-classic new build, with three bedrooms, office, three bathrooms and a farm shed and minor dwelling.