Modern log cabin that breathes with the forest

Tucked quietly on a no-exit road, just minutes from Kamo village, stands a home that seems to breathe with the land around it.

Set on 2.62ha, including more than two hectares of covenanted native bush, 10 Waitaua Road, Kauri, is being brought to market by Ray White Whangarei agent Sally Jordan.

Built in 1975 by original owner Miles Bundle, the home was constructed with full-round treated pine logs and steel portal framing, an innovative design for its time.

The second owner, well-known local lawyer Arthur Fairley, added his own chapter to the home’s story.

“The property was ideal for me and my young family,” Mr Fairley said.

“It felt like living in the country, yet we were still close to the city. My wife was even able to have her horses here, it was the perfect mix.”

But it’s the current owners, David and Linda Muir, who have truly written the legacy of care and connection that defines 10 Waitaua Road today.

When the couple first discovered the home in 2002, it was the trees that drew them in.

“From the road, it felt like stepping into another world,” Mr Muir, a horticulturalist, said.

“The French doors opened to a deck overlooking the bush, the light poured in through floor-to-ceiling windows. It had an instant calmness.”

Mrs Muir said they were both captivated from the first moment.

“You step through those doors and it just wraps around you: the trees, the birds, the quiet. It felt like a secret retreat,” she said.

That tranquillity remains, now intertwined with more than two decades of thoughtful restoration and stewardship.

Over the years, the Muirs have modernised and refined the home by re-roofing, recladding, double-glazing, and fully renovating the kitchen and master suite in 2022.

“We’ve worked steadily to keep everything up to modern standards,” Mrs Muir said.

“The new kitchen and ensuite gave it a fresh lease of life while keeping the character intact.”

She said the 160sqm layout flowed beautifully, with light and green views from every room.

“The house aligns north–south, so you get morning and afternoon sun through those big windows. And the deck, which is partially covered, becomes another living space altogether.”

Beyond the walls, David’s “retirement hobby” has been the full rehabilitation of the covenanted bush; a hands-on mission to remove weeds, debris, and invasive species, and restore the native ecosystem to health.

“Gardeners never retire,” he joked. “We’ve taken out everything from gorse and old fencing wire to car tyres.

“Now the kererū come in to drink, tuis feed right on the deck, and moreporks call from the trees at night.”

Those wildlife encounters have become treasured parts of daily life.

“The tuis are bold, they’ll sit right beside you,” Mrs Muir said.

“We even raised one chick, Jaimie, who learned to fly in our lounge before returning to the wild.”

Paths now wind through the forest, crossing a clear stream via small timber bridges, offering quiet spaces to reflect or simply listen to the chorus of birdsong.

“It’s such a special feeling walking those tracks,” David said. “You hear the water, the birds, and nothing else.”

Inside, the home is warm and inviting, a harmonious blend of rustic architecture and modern comfort.

“You step inside after a hot day and the world just melts away,” Mrs Muir said.

“The dappled light, the birds everywhere, the quiet. It’s not something you can build. It’s something that grows with you.”

While the property feels deep in the bush, it’s less than 10 minutes from schools, shops, and the heart of Kamo village.

“It’s a great neighbourhood with friendly people, a real community feel, and so convenient,” Mrs Muir said.

“We’ll miss being able to walk this quiet road and chat with our neighbours.”

Ms Jordan, who is marketing the property on behalf of the Muirs, it’s one of the most unique homes she’s ever represented.

“It’s incredibly rare to find a lifestyle property that offers such immersion in nature while being so close to town,” she said.

“The Muirs have created something truly special here; a home that feels calm, alive, and deeply connected to its environment.”

Ms Jordan said buyers would appreciate not only the craftsmanship of the log home but also the love that has gone into maintaining both the property and its covenanted bush.

“Every detail reflects care, from the upgrades inside to the native restoration work outside. You can feel the heart in this home the moment you arrive.”

Now, as they prepare to hand over the keys, the Muirs hope the next owners will continue the story; one of respect for nature, and of finding joy in a home that’s as alive as the forest it sits within.

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> 10 Waitaua Road, Kauri