$16 million Wānaka house sale to Australian couple sets new local record
By Debbie Jamieson
A new Wānaka property record has been set with the sale of a home for $16 million to an Australian couple.
Built in 2012 and known as Te Kaitaka House, the, four-bedroom, four-bathroom home has won Stevens Lawson Architects several awards and featured on the BBC programme The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes in 2018.
It was bought earlier this year by Sydney-based couple Andrew and Emma Gray.
Andrew Gray is a co-founder of the tech sector investment firm Potentia Capital and a former chairperson of MYOB.
The previous owner was Mark Gray, a cosmetic surgeon and founder of the national Skin Institute chain.
The house sits on Buchanan Rise, Roys Peninsula, part of the “millionare’s row” in west Wānaka, near Glendhu Bay.
It is the same area in which PayPal founder Peter Thiel is fighting to build a lodge, and where another family has just won the right to build an enormous $20m, partly subterranean, 2000m² home.
Colliers Wānaka director Craig Myles said the $16m paid for Te Kaitaka was the highest individual price achieved by a lifestyle property in Wānaka, though some earlier sales might have reached higher values.
There were some premium properties available around Wānaka, including one section he recently sold for $10m and a property he had just listed, a 5.5ha section at John’s Creek, near Hāwea.
“It’s all testament to the sought-after location that Wānaka has become,” he said.
Some buyers were from overseas, but the majority were New Zealanders, he said.
The west Wānaka area was sought after because of the outstanding natural landscape, its proximity to skifields and the lake, and for the privacy of the location.
The Te Kaitaka property was quite unusual with a “floating, origami-style roofline” and its south-facing aspect, he said.
“It looks out into the bay area, which is quite spectacular.”
The property was originally listed with Sotheby’s Realty and was described as stunning.
Building materials including natural cedar wood blended into the surroundings. The roofline directed light into the home via skylights, “all the while creating a spiritual atmosphere with its sculptural form”.
It was priced at $18m at the time.
Little is known about buyers Andrew and Emma Gray, but The Australian Financial Review reported in February that they were selling their Sydney mansion seven months after buying it for NZ$18m.
Prior to that, they sold another Sydney home for NZ$40m in May last year.
Andrew Gray’s LinkedIn page says he has more than 25 years of experience working in the technology private equity investment industry.
He holds a master of business administration degree from Harvard Business School and a bachelor of aeronautical engineering with first-classhonours from the University of Sydney.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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73.2% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16% Hmm, maybe?
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10.8% Yes!
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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