When, in October 2020, the new owners of this Lake Tarawera property walked into the home they'd bought remotely, they'd only just stepped off a plane from Melbourne and out of quarantine. The daylight was fading fast and butterflies of excitement churned their insides like a tumble dryer.
Until then, they'd relied on a family member making visits to the for-sale property. The real-estate photos had been imbued with a red tinge and the floorplans they'd been emailed had some discrepancies, but still the home's design credentials shone through.
Although built in 1983, the dwelling tucked into native bush was a showcase of
