Original subtitles

- I'm on a hunt to help find everyday Kiwis their perfect country house.

Things are a little different out here in the country.

You still have the hustle and bustle.

Your neighbours can sometimes be a bit noisy.

Time moves a little slower.

But you don't get this...

in the city.

On today's episode, we're in Twizel with Helen and David.

Got your gas hobs there as well. - Gotta go.

- The gas hobs would have to go? - They'd have to go, sorry.

- Hard no to gas? - Yep, hard no to gas.

- A big shed is a must for all of David's toys...

- A couple of old cars, motorbike,

boat, jetski,

the caravan,

and it goes on.

- ...but only one has captured the hearts of our couple.

So tell me what's been going on. What happened since I left?

- So, we put an offer in, and it was accepted.

- It's already been accepted? - It's been accepted. - Yep.

- So we're moving in soon.

- But which one? You'll have to wait and see.

Dave and Helen, the classic Kiwi couple, are ready for an exciting move to the tiny town of Twizel.

Dave's green fingers are itching for a blank canvas to unleash his gardening skills,

while Helen is just looking for a spacious family retreat for gatherings.

Hopefully today we'll find them their dream home,

surrounded by these ridiculous views and Twizel's vibrant community.

- We visited Twizel quite a bit with our caravan and camped, um...

camped here and, yeah, on days that aren't so great,

you'd come in and have a look and have lunch or tea or something,

and we've actually grown to really liked Twizel

and saw it as a possibility for somewhere to move to after Cromwell.

The scenery here is stunning, and we have always lived in places that have good views,

so that was important to us in making a decision on where to move,

and to be able to just see 360-degree views of the mountains is just awesome.

We have been married for...

44 years.

- Yeah, 44. - Yep.

We've got three kids ranging in age from 35 to 29, and they're pretty much spread around the world.

- Two grandchildren. - Two grandchildren.

We'd like to see them come and stay and show them where we're living.

So, yeah, that would be the ultimate.

- Yeah, the budget's around about 1.6.

That's a hard one, really, because, you know,

if you see the right thing, you might spend a little bit more

regardless of that. You might spend a lot less, you know.

- Nestled in the heart of Te Waipounamu the South Island,

Twizel beckons nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike

with its picturesque mountain views and heaps of options for mountain climbing,

kayaking, skiing and horse trekking.

It also offers visitors the chance to see salmon farming up close ― but more on that later.

Let's kickstart this house-hunt with our first contender.

Good morning. - Morning. How are you? Helen. - Good, Helen. Nice to meet you.

- I'm Dave. - And Dave. - Pleased to meet you, Matt.

- Brilliant to meet you guys this morning on this nice, crisp, cool Mackenzie Country morning.

- Yeah. - I mean, you'd be used to the cooler winter mornings

currently living in Cromwell, right, Central Otago.

- Yeah, that's much the same kind of climate.

- Yeah. - Yeah.

- So, in terms of the house that we're looking for,

I know that you're looking for a place with a bit of room... - Yes.

- ...and specifically for you, Dave, you've got a big shed in mind,

or somewhere at least to fit quite a few toys, by the sound of things.

- Yeah, yeah. - It's gotta have a shed.

How many things has he― What's he got? - It's crazy.

Yeah, um, a couple of old cars,

motorbike, boat, jetski...

the caravan,

the two personal vehicles,

yeah, and it goes on.

- Is there any room for you in the house at this point, Helen? - A little bit, a little bit.

Yeah, yeah. We haven't got cars in the house yet.

It's almost like you need two properties at this point. - Yeah.

- Three bedrooms? - Three bedrooms. - Yeah.

- Some space for― I do some part-time work,

so some space for me to work from home just a few hours a week. - So a home office for you,yeah.

First thing I want to talk about is this ―

a two-bedroom cottage that also sits on the property.

You could use it for friends and family when they come to stay,

or maybe renting it out as an Airbnb for a little extra income.

So before we even head in there, why don't we take a look at the cottage?

- Yep, cool. - Let's go. - Come on in.

All right. So, like I said, a little self-contained two-bedroom cottage.

I say 'little', but it's honestly bigger than my apartment in Auckland,

so it's a decent-sized space for when family and friends come to stay, or to rentout.

Would that be something you would be interested in ― the rental option?

- Maybe not that part, but having the extra space for family...

- Right. - ...definitely.

- OK. - Yeah.

- And you have got a few family members spread far and wide around the world, haven't you?

- Yeah, we've got one in Canada and one in London and one...

- In Invercargill. - ...in Invercargill.

- OK. That's the two-bedroom cottage. Should we have a look at the main house?

- Absolutely. - Cool, this way. - Too easy.

- All right. Here we are. Welcome in. - Very nice.

- Huge living space, this one. Obviously, this is the open-plan kitchen, dining and living.

This is one of them. There's another living room that we just walked through here.

I mean, look at the size of this living space.

Honestly, if you did run out of room outdoors, you could probably park a couple of classic cars inhere, Dave.

What do you reckon? Yeah.

Well, push comes to shove.

- So this is the living area. Obviously, bedrooms are important as well, so I'll let you two go

and have a look down that end of the house, and I'll be somewhere in that big backyard when you're done.

- All right. - Sounds good, see you then. - See you soon.

- OK. So, main bedroom...

it's quite big. - Yeah.

- Good-size walk-in 'robe. - Yeah.

- And a massive view. - Nice en suite.

- Might be a bit big for us. What do you think it's going to be worth?

- Oh, upper end of our budget, I'd say. - Yeah.

- Ah well, we'll go and find out what the damage is from Matt.

- It's nice out here too. - Yeah. It's cool, eh?

- Kia ora. A big section, this one, isn't it? - Yeah.

- And I think, obviously, it's been designed to be easy care,

but if you were into your gardening, it's just a blank canvas for you; you could do whatever you like.

- Yeah. - Lots of space for vege plots and...

- Tunnel houses... - Yeah. - ...and that sort of thing.

- Lots of fruit trees. - Great. - Definitely.

- There is obviously one thing missing, I think, considering what you were

talking about in terms of needing a little bit of shared storage...

- Yeah. - Yeah.

- ...but lots of room on this section. - Plenty of scope.

- Yeah, plenty of scope there for a shed, yeah. - Could build a big shed there.

- And a little birdie has told me that you're not a stranger to building a shed or two.

- Yeah, no, I've been there, done that. Great.

- Right. Time to talk turkey. What do you think it's worth? - Uh...

- 1.8 to 2. - Yeah, I think that's definitely the top part of our market.

- Yeah, you're bang on there. So it would be around the 1.8 mark.

So we're starting with a bang. - OK.

- We're starting with the upper end of the budget. - Yeah.

The price might be― Well, it's at the top end of our budget.

So we'll have to have a look at the other two houses to compare... - Yeah.

- ...but it's definitely worth what it's on for.

- Obviously, two more houses to show you today. - Yep.

- Great. - Let's hit the road, eh? Yeah, no worries.

- Let's do it. - Sweet.

- Coming up ― we tour a property with million-dollar views.

- This is amazing. - Yeah.

- I don't really― I don't really need to say much about that view, do I? - No.

- It pretty much speaks for itself, doesn't it?

- Today I'm in Twizel with Helen and David.

The first house was impressive, with a separate cottage attached for family or for a B&B.

But our next house might be even more impressive.

Welcome to my second option for you for the day.

I mean, obviously you've already spotted where we are in terms of the location

what an amazing place this is. Look at that view everywhere you look. - It's very rural, isn't it?

Now, I know that you are already quite interested in one of the views.

- That gigantic shed that's over there. - Yeah.

- 11 by 9, that one. That is more of a mansion than a shed, I reckon. - That's cool.

- So in terms of storage space, I think that would answer all of your dreams.

Just about

- Decent-sized section. So it's just about 4800m2 section... - Wow, yeah.

- ...but you're bordering Ruataniwha Station, which is a really iconic part of Twizel...

- OK. - ...and some of your neighbours include horses, stags and bison.

- Oh wow. That'll be cool. - It'll be interesting. - Yeah.

- Sit there every evening, you know... - Yeah.

...watching your neighbours frolic in the paddock next door.

- I hope they don't jump the fence. - Yeah.

I'm looking forward to showing you around. Shall we head inside?

- Why not. - Yeah, no worries. - After you.

- Welcome in. Another open-plan kitchen-living-dining similar to the first one,

a little bit smaller, obviously, but everything you need right here.

Another modern, brand-new kitchen with the butler's pantry,

got your gas hobs there as well. - Gotta go.

- The gas hobs would have to go? - They'd have to go. Sorry.

- Hard no to the gas. - Hard no to gas.

- What do you prefer? - Induction.

- Induction. Oh, really? - Yeah. - OK.

- Well, it's a beautiful view here obviously looking towards the Southern Alps,

so this whole house has been designed just to take in that view.

It wraps around a really nice covered outdoor entertainment area.

I reckon you'd just be spending all your nights out there just taking in that view. It's beautiful.

- I think the windows in the living area should have been bigger to take in the expanse of the view.

It's a shame that they've just put two small windows in there.

- Yeah, it's― Yeah, especially looking at that view there.

That's the― I think if we were to look at this place seriously,

we'd probably blow those out of there and do something along glass lines.

That's the view you want to see. - Yeah.

- Right, I'm gonna head out to that entertainment area.

There's some beautiful heat panels, so I'm going to be nice and toasty out there. Don't worry about me.

Head down and check out the main bedroom, and I'll see you when you're done.

- OK. Thank you. - Cool, no worries.

- Oh, wow. This is nice. Look at the view. - Big room.

- Could wake up to that every morning, couldn't you? - Yeah. No, that's cool.

- I quite like that it's got a door through to the... - Outdoor area.

- ...outdoor en suite, walk-in 'robe. - Walk-in 'robe.

Plenty of room, isn't there? - Yeah.

- What do you think it's worth? - Hard to say.

I don't know, maybe...

1.3-ish.

- Yeah, 1350, maybe.

- Wow. - Huh? - This is amazing.

- Yeah. I don't really ―I don't really need to say much about that view, do I?

- No. - No, it's pretty much speaks for itself, doesn't it?

- And that's your front yard. - Yeah. - Look at that.

This would be just a view you would never get sick of.

- No. - Yeah. - Yeah.

- And with Ruataniwha Station as your neighbour,

it'd be a view that you'd keep as well. - Yeah.

- That entertainment area is just purpose-built for enjoying a wine or a beer in the afternoon.

When it gets a bit colder, like I mentioned, it's got those panel heaters up there as well...

- Yeah. - ...keeping you warm.

- Quite sheltered there. - Yeah.

- And again a blank slate in terms of the section for a gardener like yourself, Dave.

You'd be able to put your own spin on that.

- A couple of tunnel houses and a couple of raised beds and...

- Yeah, there you go. - ...a few ornamentals, you know, put a bit of colour in the place.

- Plenty of section for another― for a ride-on mower.

Definitely need a ride-on, wouldn't you?

Maybe a bit of mini golf for the grandkids.

Well, that's a view I'd never get sick of if I was living here, I reckon.

It's probably a million-dollar, billion-dollar, trillion-dollar view?

- Speaking of money, how much do you think this property is worth?

- Maybe 1.3...

ish.

- Yeah. - Yeah, definitely not as high as the other place.

- Right. - Yeah.

- So about 1.365 is the asking price at the moment. - OK.

- Yeah, I think the price is pretty good.

Um, I don't think it's too bad at all, to be fair.

- Fits well within our budget, and if we wanted to do something to it,

then the money's there to do something, without a doubt.

- You know, comparable sales around Twizel,

um, I think it's up there.

I think this place is― what sells it is the view and its position.

- That's two down. One more house today. - OK.

- Shall we hit the road? - Let's do it. - Yeah, no worries.

- After the break ― I'm off to the High Country Salmon farm

to learn about their unique glacial mountain salmon,

and of course, to try some for myself.

Fan of salmon yourself, are ya? - I love salmon.

- It'd be a bit hard to work here and not be, wouldn't it?

- No, it's not like working at a chocolate factory. You don't get sick and tired of salmon.

It's a lovely product to eat.

- If you consider yourself a salmon lover,

then you need to visit High Country Salmon,

where you can catch, feed and taste, of course, the incredible salmon this place has to offer.

So, Karl, here at High Country Salmon, what kind of salmon are we farming?

- Uh, this here is Chinook salmon, also known as king salmon.

We like to call it glacial mountain salmon.

It's one of the most unique salmon species in the world.

New Zealand is the only place that farms this species,

and in the canal is the only place you can get freshwater glacial mountain salmon.

- So that glacier water melts, comes its way down, makes its way down, and...

- Absolutely. So, everything's coming out of Aoraki Mt Cook off the glaciers,

through Ohau, Lake Pukaki, and actually all flows past us.

- And this is the best place in the world to farm it ― right here near Twizel.

- Absolutely. They love these conditions.

They're a cold water-loving species, and so this puts them right in the sweet spot for growing them.

- Now, I like what you've done here as well. It's not just coming here on your way past picking upsome salmon.

You can kind of get a bit of an experience as you drive past as well. - You can get an experience.

Margaret and Richard Logan started the business up in 2000.

They had― I think they only ever thought they'd ever grow about 50 ton

and sell it off the side of the road was their vision ―

and that's what they did, just out of out of Eskies, which is really cool.

There was no EFTPOS back in the day; they'd do cheques and IOUs if you're coming back fast.

- Trustworthy. - Yeah, absolutely.

Things have moved on a little bit since then.

So we're about― We produce about 200 tons on a yearly basis... - Wow.

- ...and all the salmon, if people wanted to buy it, is available off the side of the road as well.

- And I've seen people buying food to feed the salmon as well. - Yep. That's just one thing.

So we love to― our customers to learn what it is to be a salmon farmer almost.

So, yeah, they can just come along and get a bit of feed, throw it with their kids,

see the salmon feed as well, and also get up close and see the farm.

It's a really unique thing in New Zealand and around the world.

There's no other place you can drive up to a salmon farm and actually see how it's farmed.

- Fan of salmon yourself, are ya? - I love salmon.

- It would be hard to work here and not be, wouldn't it?

- No, it's not like working at a chocolate factory.

You don't get sick and tired of salmon. It's a lovely product to eat.

- Don't know about you, but I'm getting hungry, Karl.

- Do you want to try some? - Yeah.

- Let's do that. - All right. Let's go.

Well, it's no surprise the salmon on offer here is simply divine,

but I'd better get back to our house-hunt with our final home.

That wind has really whipped up in between house two and house number three,

so we won't spend too long outside at this location,

but look where we are ― in the mountains for the third house again.

You are in Twizel, you get that view of the Southern Alps.

So we're in one of the most sought-after areas again in Twizel, that North West Arch area.

So really great area for new homes, like this one,

which is pretty much a brand-new home. You'd be the first owners of this one.

It's a spec build, and I know you're looking around for a shed.

Not currently one on the property, but I thought there was enough room

for you to put your shed on the property.

― Yeah, could probably put a small shed there. - Yeah.

- There's not much more to say, I think, especially with this wind.

So shall we head inside and have a look?

- I think so. That'd be a good idea. - Sounds like a plan. - Come on in.

Yeah, let's just stop right here. I think, underneath that heat pump.

That's the perfect spot for us right now

- Good idea. - Absolutely.

- So, this house was actually built by the same builder as the last house that we looked at.

So looking around this lounge, this living area,

you can imagine your possessions. - Yeah, yeah.

What's your taste in art work, Dave? Have you've got any particular styles ― impressionist, modernism?

- Probably hot rods or something. - Hot rods. Love it. Nice.

Plenty to look at around this house, so go have a good look around, and I'll be outside.

No, I won't actually. I'll stay right here under the heat pump instead.

- That sounds like a plan. - Yeah.

So have a good look around. I'll see you soon. - OK. Thank you.

Oh well, this is― We'd fit out furniture in here, probably. - A good-sized bedroom.

- Yeah, got a good view. - Nice en suite. - It is a nice en suite.

- Good walk-in 'robe. Yeah, I still like those high ceilings, eh.

Oh, and the heat transfer system. - Yeah, that's a bonus.

- Yeah, we'll go and see― - Go and see Matt, find out what it's worth.

- See what the damage is.

- Slightly smaller section. So where do you think it sits then price-scale-wise?

- Uh, I kind of think 1 to 1.1 maybe. - OK.

- Yeah, about the same, yeah. - Just a little higher than that.

So they're looking for around the 1.2 mark.

- OK. - Oh yeah. - That's the starting point anyway.

Who knows what you'd actually get it for.

- Yeah. - Yeah.

Yeah, the price is probably similar to what we thought.

It might be a little bit more. - But yeah, there's still scope

if we wanted to do some work to it to be still within our budget.

- I know you got a lot to think about, and I know that that rain has just started to fall,

so we'll say goodbye at this point, but... - No worries.

- ...all the very best with your decision.

- Thank you. - Once you've made one... - Yep.

- We'll let you know. - ...let me know, and we'll get back together again soon.

- Absolutely. - No worries. - Awesome.

Thanks, guys. - Yeah, cheers. - Thanks.

- Righto. - Let's get out of that rain. - Yeah.

- Well, what a windy and wonderful time I've had today,

showing Helen and David three stunning country properties here in Twizel.

All three houses throw up something different, but I do wonder which one they'll end up choosing.

After giving Helen and David some time to think about their decision,

they've called me up with some good news.

- Hi. - Gidday, David and Helen. How are ya?

- Good, good. - Good.

- Nice to be back in Twizel. - Yeah. - Yeah.

- You guys don't muck about, do you? I hear there's been quite a lot of progress made since I last saw you.

- Just a bit. - Yeah, yeah.

- Just before I find out what has been going on, let's just talk about the houses we looked at.

The first one had the big section, that huge open-plan entertaining area in the middle of the house.

- And the cottage. - And the cottage on the property as well.

Good option to have family and friends staying in the cottage.

- Yeah. - Yeah, exactly. - Yeah, plenty of space.

- Then we hopped in the car and head along to house number two with that ridiculous view,

just ridiculous. - Yeah.

It's crazy. - Yeah.

And I know the shed was

a particular favourite of yours as well. - That was a bit of a button-pusher.

- It really was, wasn't it? - Yeah.

- The third house we looked at was the smaller of the three,

but in a really great location, super close to town, a minute's drive to town.

- Yeah. Nice new house... - Yeah.

- ...two lounges. - Good size.

- Still a good-sized. - Yeah, good bathrooms.

Everything's there, you know, good value for money. - For sure.

So tell me what's been going on. What happened since I left?

So, we put an offer in on house number two...

- Number two. - Yeah.

- ...and it was accepted. - It's already been accepted?

- It's been accepted, so we are moving in soon. - There we go.

How much of it was the shed? Let's be honest, Dave. How much of it was that gigantic shed.

- Probably 30%. - OK.

- Maybe 40. - And the rest.

- 40% shed, 60% view ― is that pretty much how it went?

- Yeah. - Yeah. - Oh, that's awesome.

- I do worry about the house - Yeah.

- I can't wait to get in there and enjoy it.

- Absolutely. Well, on that note... - Yeah.

Lovely to hang out with you two. - Cheers. - Yeah.

- Glad it's worked out so well. That's amazing news.

And you'll have to send me a photo in the winter,

when the snow was covering those fields and the mountains. - Absolutely.

- Yeah. - I'd love to see that place.

Cheers, you two. - Cheers.

I am so happy for Helen and David.

I mean, I'm also a little bit jealous that they get to wake up to that jaw-dropping view.

Let's just hope their neighbours are well-behaved, eh?

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