There's lake views from every room at this New Zealand luxury home

The resort town of Wanaka on New Zealand’s South Island is synonymous with pristine landscapes and dramatic, rugged mountain views. It’s a popular getaway for domestic tourists, and year-round it’s a mecca for outdoor activities; skiing and snowboarding in winter, or hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, rock climbing and water sports in the warmer months.

Sitting just outside of town, although feeling much further away than the short 20-minute drive, is Te Kaitaka, an award-winning four-bedroom, five-bathroom property. Built back in 2011 by Tony Quirk Builders and designed by Stevens Lawson Architects, the luxury home has recently been listed for sale for the first time, with a price guide from $NZ18 million ($16.5 million). 

The 20.5-hectare lakefront property is in an enviable location, and agent Kylie Stewart from New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty says it’s a very rare opportunity to buy into the area.

“Every portion of this property, no matter where you look, you’re surrounded by these giant mountains and the lake. It’s outstanding. It’s not very common that you get such expensive lake and mountain views,” she says.

Te Kaitaka means “cloak” in the Maori language, symbolising nurture and shelter. The home is cloaked in natural cedar, seamlessly blending it into the still surrounding landscape, nestling it in the hills of Roy’s Peninsula, right on the shores of Lake Wanaka. Strict council regulations tasked with protecting the natural environment required a home design sympathetic to the landscape.

The build’s sculptural form, created with the use of triangulated geometries and origami-like cuts, mimics the mountainous landscape, helping the home meld into its surroundings. Inside and out, the home is wrapped in cedar, with a pre-cast concrete structure that’s raw to the interior. Inside, earthy textures and natural finishes are embraced, further enhancing the connection with the outdoors. The origami-like roofline creates angular skylights, allowing shafts of light in from the north.

Within the home, the design delicately strikes the balance between intimate and sprawling. It’s cosy enough for just the residents to enjoy, while also effortlessly and comfortably welcoming friends and family. All four bedrooms boast an en suite— two of which are double en suites, effectively creating two main suites – all with built-in cabinetry. Two separate sunken living rooms feature open fireplaces.

“You get lake views from every room, and the way that they positioned the windows throughout the home is to frame and capture specific views of the mountains, rather than just a big expansive view,” says Stewart. 

Minimalist cabinetry in the kitchen conceals the walk-in butler’s pantry, while the kitchen’s oversized centre island forms the backdrop to a perfect space for entertaining. The kitchen, living and dining area can be opened up to connect with two outdoor entertaining areas. On the lakeside, a covered deck is a snug place to relax in front of the outdoor open fireplace. 

“On the western side, the doors from the kitchen to the courtyard stack right into the wall, so it’s one continuous flow,” says Stewart.

“It’s a private courtyard. So, you’ve got a garden full of all the herbs and everything you’d use for cooking, and it’s got a big outdoor table and barbecue area.”

And there are other surprises hidden throughout the grounds. A curved stone wall hugs an outdoor spa, for long, hot soaks with uninterrupted views. Set slightly away from the home up a gentle rise, a glass greenhouse doubles as a space to grow produce and an external entertaining area with a jaw-dropping outlook.

Boardwalks around the property will also lead you to an entertaining patio area overlooking the lake or down to a private mooring – the property is also accessible by boat.

“You’re surrounded by all the beautiful walking tracks and hiking and biking and water sports,” says Stewart.

And no matter where you are on the property, inside or out, the dramatic views are never far away. Stewart says the property feels cosy and homely, with almost a spiritual atmosphere.

“The idea is to feel like you’re one with the expanse of views.”