Te Hono O Te Wai, literally “the place where the waters meet”, is a nautically-inspired residential estate that honours its prized waterfront position.

Poised on a north-facing promontory above Parekura Bay close to Russell in the eastern Bay of Islands, Te Hono O Te Wai is in a league of its own in the Northland waterfront market.

Hugged by striking native bush and stately Kauri and Pōhutukawa, and drawing design inspiration from sophisticated ocean liners, this ultimate holiday home has a stamp of quality that is apparent from the moment of arrival – whether by road or by sea.

The home has a commanding presence, sited for optimal views out to the world-renowned Bay of Islands’ maritime playground, and well-connected to the Northland region, yet effectively cocooned on 6,450sqm of gated land just 20-minutes’ drive from historic Russell township.

With its sheltered anchorage, riparian rights, boat shed with dingy launch, and four-tonne mooring, its sea-loving owners were captivated by the property back in 2017 and have been at the helm as proud stewards since.

When the global pandemic halted international travel, the well-travelled vendors decided to maximise the enforced hiatus and initiated a substantial renovation from 2020-2022. They extended the home, installed an impressive swimming pool and alfresco area including an outdoor kitchen, and carried out extensive landscaping work.

The property offers a first-class master suite with private viewing deck on the upper level, superior living spaces, a bedroom with quarter berths and ensuite on the lower level, an intimate cellar and detached accommodation options for extended family, visitors, or staff.

A fully self-contained guest house has two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, while a third guest studio or manager’s residence comprises a fully-equipped kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom – all thoughtfully linked to the outdoor spaces and surrounds.

The interiors are classically timeless, with many fixtures, furnishings and fittings sourced from overseas and lending an air of ocean-going sophistication to the spaces.

Irene Bremner of Bayleys Bay of Islands says with the world still in a state of flux, people are taking stock of their lives and reassessing what is important to them.

“It’s all about enjoying life and making memories and this property offers all this – and more for a new owner.

“Russell is a very specific waterfront market, with limited opportunity to acquire world-class assets as they tend to be intergenerational legacy holds, so this property is a rare gem.

“You can comfortably drive here from Auckland in under four hours, or sail in, pick up the mooring and really live life. Then when you get the urge to spread your wings, just lock up and leave, or have a manager resident on site for extended durations.”

The very private owners tell Waterfront that after a period of reflection, they have actioned a relocation to Europe, and plan on boating in the Mediterranean for the next 10 years or so.

“The Bay of Islands is the boating jewel of New Zealand and really is this country’s Med’. The property has direct access out to the Cavalli and Poor Knights islands, as well as Whangaroa Harbour and iconic beaches like nearby Oke Bay and Elliots Bay,” they say.

“The site was former farmland and the wider area is undergoing native planting regeneration, so the birdlife is incredible. It’s so peaceful, and when we are not here, we miss the birdsong of our resident tui and kiwi and waking up to the sun shimmering on the water.

“We’ve loved hosting barbecues down by the pool with neighbours and friends, the wow factor of the house, and upping anchor to sail our yacht around the islands or taking the Sealegs for day trips to Pipi Bay or Oke Bay to swim.

“It’s a reluctant sale for us, but new adventures beckon so now someone else can love this property as we have.”

Click here for more information on the listing.