Lynne Donaldson and her late husband Ian bought their Northland grazing block in 2014.
Situated at Whareora 14 kilometres east of Whangārei, it comprises a mix of flat and easy rolling country, mainly in pasture, with some native trees and wetland.
“Ian was Whareora born and bred, though we lived in several different places throughout the years, including Australia. He wanted to come back to the area. When we originally found this place, we never intended to live here. It had previously been a dairy farm,” says Lynne.
Ian grew up on a farm. After leaving school he worked with heavy machinery, then he took the opportunity to join the army, stationed in Singapore. Lynne was a registered nurse.
“We have run stock on the property, mainly beef cattle, and currently have 100 heifers, including 60 in calf. When we bought it, it needed new fences, and Ian subdivided it into 15 paddocks, also putting in a stock water system. We lived on a Waikato lifestyle block back then, and commuted. Initially when we stayed here, it was in a caravan. Back then we intended to build a tractor shed with living space above that.”
In 2019 they came up with a better option: a three-bedroom bungalow style longhouse built by students on a Tauranga Polytechnic construction course as the practical part of their apprenticeship.
“It’s an excellent house, though when we found it we needed to relocate it. Transported by road in early 2019, it arrived on a truck at 2.30 one morning. As the construction course was based on the highest standards, when they built it, the tutor and his students didn’t leave any stone unturned. It was built with a high velocity wind rating, which makes it ideal for the top of a hill. It has everything you could ask for. Ian was meticulous: he did the site works himself, so the house is perfectly positioned, with 360-degree views. When the sun rises, first thing in the morning it gives warmth to the kitchen and dining room, then continues to shine around the house throughout the day,” says Lynne.
With the later addition of a mud room, laundry and generous double garage, the house is now fully fit for its rural location.
Ian died in 2023, and Lynne has decided the time has come to sell. She has engaged Dennis Wallace and Barry Banicevich of PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Whangārei to sell the property. Dennis says it has varied appeal.
“Set up to be farmed totally independently, with abundant grass growth and its own set of yards, what Lynne and Ian have established has plenty to offer. Either as a smaller grazing block, a lifestyle property with horse riding, an income via continuing to lease out the land, or a multitude of other possibilities, it would suit a young couple starting out, or someone with a business who wants to use the shed and work from home.
“Featuring a modern kitchen and spectacular rural views out over the farm and beyond, best enjoyed from the wrap around decking, the comfortable, appealing modern home with open plan kitchen will be a pleasure to live in, on a lovely piece of land in a sought-after location,” he says.
Lynne is planning to move to Raglan, where she and Ian had a holiday home, and where one of their three sons is now based. However, she will miss Whareora.
“It’s an amazing community: lovely people with old fashioned rural values. We lived in the area when we were first married, so we knew it well, and Ian wanted to return to his roots. Whareora was good to us, and still is,” she says.
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