From the very first glance, Tainui’s residential housing complex Te Hiringa impresses. The village comprises eight townhouses, a pair of duplex homes and a landscaped shared courtyard. It was developed with sustainability in mind, but the properties have much more to commend them: durable and attractive brick and vertical tulipwood cladding, and proximity to Lake Rotoroa/Hamilton Lake and the western cycle route. The handsome 80sqm townhouses in terraced groups of three and five, and the 86sqm single-level duplexes, are arranged to make the most of light and the compact site, and have car and scooter parks. Each modern townhouse is designed so residents enjoy a sanctuary of sorts on the upper level.

Up here, you’ll find two bedrooms, one with ensuite, and a main bathroom. Descending the stairs, you’ll see an open-plan kitchen and living area with dappled natural light streaming in from large windows and sliders that open to patios. Everything is fresh and white with contrasting dark joinery. The three-bedroom duplexes are accessed through covered entries that open to large open-plan kitchen, dining and living spaces – perfect for entertaining. The laundry is tucked away from sight. The main bedroom suite has its own private patio, ensuite and spacious wardrobe. You’ll also find two more bedrooms separated by a spacious modern bathroom.