This award-winning house makes the most of its magical location on New Zealand's North Island

You have to love a home that really knows how to make an entrance. The award-winning house Focal Point sits serenely on a private, elevated waterfront site with direct beach access on New Zealand’s North Island.

From the front gate, the half-kilometre journey along the contours of the driveway offers a dramatic, slow reveal of your destination.

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Between the bold, distinctive facade, the striking 3.7-metre-high front door, and the gallery-style foyer that greets you within, there is an impressive sense of arrival – and everything beyond is equally as impressive.

The four-bedroom, three-bathroom 2019 home, which is listed for sale with Oliver Road, was designed by architect Noel Jessop and built to high standards by D&B Construction.

Materials like cedar and oak timber and stone from Hinuera on the North Island were chosen to complement, not overpower, the surrounding natural elements, resulting in a house that sits quietly yet confidently in its setting.

The scenery is a design feature in itself, and the sweeping panorama across Tauranga Harbour, Matakana and around to the Kaimai Range is cleverly captured throughout.

“Words fall short of the curated lifestyle experience available at this top-tier coastal estate,” says listing agent Ben Hawan.

“The dedication to quality and luxury both inside and out is evident and the home leaves you wanting for nothing, while the expansive views captivate.”

The main living spaces are perfectly positioned to capture the breathtaking harbour views.

The luxury kitchen (with butler’s pantry) flows to the main living and dining area, and then through full-height doors to two outdoor entertaining patios and a striking heated infinity pool and spa that seem to float alongside the home.

Completing the lower level are two bedrooms, a bathroom and a second living room. A guest bedroom with an en suite occupies a corner position and opens out to the poolside patio.

An oak staircase floats up to the opulent main-bedroom suite, which sits like a private penthouse on the upper level.

There you’ll find a bespoke dressing room and an en suite with freestanding oval bath. Two walls of windows allow uninterrupted harbour views to greet you in bed when you peel back the curtains every morning.

Refined and luxurious features touch every space and surface. These include underfloor heating, motorised blinds that disappear into the ceiling, custom tiles, a feature fireplace in the lounge, and cleverly hidden lights.

When guests visit, they’re bound to sleep comfortably in the guest suite – or out in the three-bay shed, which hosts a luxury self-contained unit with open-plan living and a wraparound patio.

Another shed allows ample storage space for a trailer or boat, and the 5.16-hectare block also boasts an avocado orchard.

Focal Point is located in the Bay of Plenty region, an area favoured by Kiwis for its climate, laid-back lifestyle and proximity to Auckland, which is about a two-hour drive away.

Closer by, Tauranga and its airport are within easy reach, as is Mount Maunganui, a destination town famed and loved by New Zealanders for its energetic, beachy vibe.

“Local hotspots, shops and fine dining are found both on the beachfront and through the town’s main street,” Hawan says.

If you enjoy the outdoors, you’re well-catered for. The property has direct access to the harbour for fishing and boating – including a boat launch site – and the extreme sports of Rotorua are one hour away. The ski fields are easily accessible via plane.

The home and its magical location and setting make for an incredible lifestyle, Hawan says.

“The quality and detail in the design has created a home that is a pleasure to be within,” he says. “A comfortable, high standard of living is afforded to the residents.

“While the location not only provides breathtaking views of an ever-changing water scene framed through floor-to-ceiling windows and doors, it also avails the home of exceptional privacy. This all comes together in a serene lifestyle.”