15 Manahi Avenue Kawaha Point, Rotorua District

While lakefront homes on Kawaha Point boast prestige and grandeur, this property is arguably the top of the ladder. The home nestles at the end of a cul-de-sac, in a secluded enclave with outstanding panoramic views. Complete with riparian rights, a sandy beach curves seductively into the lakefront - captivating in how it has been developed. A tiered wall includes seating in this corner - somewhere to reflect on the panoramic scenery around the lake to Mokoia Island and Hamurana.
Facing due north, and spread across two titles, the house bathes in sun all day. This is a grand home; on a grand scale - multiple living areas, inside and out. Each room and outdoor setting have their own distinct personality - from formal to casual - yet all styled with sophisticated taste.
At its heart, a gourmet kitchen gives cooks everything to like and how to entertain; high-end appliances in the kitchen, plus a scullery and side kitchen with gas cooking. Gather around the bar-stool setting, dine in the lakefront breakfast lounge or out on the verandah. On the other side, an alfresco café is ideal for lunch, while an extensive courtyard spreads out within landscaped-seclusion. Wafts of the continent float in the breeze. A sheltered corner includes a built-in BBQ for barbecue connoisseurs. One of two spa pools tucks discreetly in this corner as well, while a giant chessboard gives further reasons for family occasions and party moments. Formal evening dining is catered for inside, in a different wing - a feature,
which yet again accentuates this home's grandeur and space.
Surprises unveil everywhere you look. Four bedrooms and three ensuite bathrooms provide ample room for family and friends. Four separate lounges change moods from one room to the other - but the flair is constant. Integral to this home's allure, however, is its intimate connection with this extraordinary lakefront position and riparian rights. It begins at a private entry into the landscaped courtyard, before sweeping out to the lakefront patios, playground lawn and gentle amble down to the lake. A summer house on a headland is an invitation for quiet reflection - white-heron sculptures punctuating the skyline in the gaze towards Mokoia Island and the city.
A boatshed, slipway and another spa pool in this corner continue this home's link with water. There's a jetty to dabble the toes, launch the kayak or toss out a line. Toasting each day on the bench down by the inlet has to be the treat of each morning, however - watching sunrise and wildlife out on the lake.
This is a property with immense presence - presence dominated by its prominent location, yet totally removed from the world, thanks to the seclusion it enjoys. Gated and fenced from view, only boaties passing by have the pleasure of admiring the lifestyle on offer. Truly, a rare opportunity.