Welcome to a home that lives and breathes sustainability. Older houses convey a sense of tradition, of lives lived and enjoyed, and of integration with the local environment. Even when retrofitted to modern standards, they still draw you into their character and history. You are entering a house that is energy neutral. Your hot water and electrical device comes from solar heating. Use the dish or clothes washer accordingly to minimize your impact and costs. The spa’s demands exceed sustainable energy, but it’s there for your enjoyment. The kitchen has been modernized while retaining its 1970s rimu character. Cooking at home? Dispose of organic waste in the old baths on the property where thousands of worms will enjoy your bounty. Your waste will eventually be recycled into the veggie garden. Please sample from its seasonal bounty. The original lounge, now The Room with a View, emphasizes its old-world character. Three freshly upgraded bedrooms, each with double glazing and en suite, ensure comfort and a peaceful rest. Have children? A playroom is reserved for their use. There is no TV. Enjoy each other and the idyllic view, or bring a laptop and hook it up to the projector in the main lounge. Internet is fully available. As you walk down the bush paths to the water, you’ll see ancient shell middens eroding from the banks. These paths might have been used by the original Maori residents. Want to enjoy the estuary? The bush paths take you to a boat shed with kayaks. At lower tides, walk to Memorial Park (5 mins) or into the city (25 mins). Watch for herons, spoonbills, and other spectacular birds. Or simply sit on the balcony and enjoy the sunrise and ever-changing landscape below. In this house, the old and the new create a clean, healthy, and sustainable living environment. Waste is recycled wherever possible. Plastic is minimized. Enjoy its amenities while minimizing your impact on the planet. Please note a bond may be charged at certain times of the year. One of our team members will contact you if this is required for your booking.Please note kayaking must be done on the top half of the tide (else there is a lot of travel over the bare sandflats).There are two kayaks available to use. A wet (surf) self-draining kayak, and a dry double. Users of the surf kayak might consider bringing a wetsuit. There are 2 life-jackets available to use with the kayaks, however we do recommend that guests bring their own well-fitting life-jackets to ensure safety.Please make note to be respectful of neighbour properties when you are going down from the boatshed to estuary - there are no fences identifying boundaries, and this property only owns a narrow and direct line access to the water from the boatshed.