When Jen Campin couldn’t find a home that truly reflected who she was, she designed one herself.
In 2009 the concept was finalised, and after two years of construction, her unique dream emerged.
Building her life on vision, instinct and resilience, Jen has spent four decades working within the New Zealand thoroughbred industry, from breeding and racing to marketing across Australia, Asia and New Zealand, achieving multiple Group One successes along the way. Originally from Queensland, Jen relocated to Cambridge in 1986 after meeting her late husband the previous year.
“Leaving Australia and family was enormous. The shift in lifestyle and surroundings was not easy. For me, home is the heart of everything. While I made changes to the house we initially lived in, I never truly felt it had that heart,” says Jen.
Life changed, and 20 years on she knew that to feel completely grounded, she needed to create a home she could genuinely call her own. Drawing from a lifetime of travel and experience, she began designing.
“It has elements from many of the places I’ve lived and visited: Queensland, where I grew up, Canada, and Asia. I wanted the level of detail and soul that I couldn’t find in an existing home. I wanted the house to represent me,” she says.
More than anything, Jen wanted to build a true home for herself and her children, one that embraced you the moment you walked through the door.
“What I miss in many houses is that feeling of being engulfed in warmth and welcome. I wanted to create that here. From my time in Asia, I embedded a gold coin into the foundation at each corner of the house, a long-standing tradition to bring good fortune and prosperity to the home.”
Jen describes the design as earthy, natural and in harmony with its surroundings. Stone was imported from Napa Valley, California, while South Pacific timbers were chosen to mirror the natural tones of the Maungatautari landscape. Perched above Lake Karāpiro and overlooking the world-renowned Sir Don Rowlands Centre, New Zealand’s high-performance rowing headquarters, the home sits quietly within its environment.
With such a profound and personal connection to the property, moving on was never going to be easy. After some reflection, and now an empty nester, Jen decided in September last year it was time for a change. She engaged Scott Borland of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Cambridge to find a buyer.
Scott says properties of this calibre seldom come to market.
“With breathtaking lake vistas, nestled among mature gardens and established trees alive with birdsong, the property is a one-off architectural sanctuary in one of New Zealand’s most sought-after lifestyle locations.”
Scott says Jen’s property transcends being simply a home.
“Personal, grounded and deeply intentional, it’s a statement of legacy and prestige, combining architectural excellence, premium materials, and an unparalleled lakeside setting.”
A property so deeply personal and architecturally distinctive requires a buyer who truly appreciates everything it represents. An Australian couple, transferring to New Zealand, attended one of the open homes, and right away it was evident how strongly the property appealed to them.
“After taking the tour, they just sat silently for several minutes taking it all in. They didn’t want to leave,” says Scott.
From that point, it was evident the property had found its people.
“I am thrilled that we found a buyer who appreciates just what the property represents. Knowing that it will continue to be enjoyed in much the same way that my family and friends have enjoyed it is immensely rewarding,” says Jen.
Scott agrees.
“Having buyers fall in love with a property, particularly one that has been created with such care and uncompromising quality, is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. I’m very happy that we found Jen her ideal purchasers,” he says.
View the sold listing > Click here.
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