HAVEN, noun: a place of safety or refuge; historically, a harbour where ships could shelter from open water.
There is a version of childhood that most people only remember in fragments: bikes left on the lawn, jandals kicked off at the back door, a spa full of laughing kids, the smell of the barbecue on a Friday night, backyard cricket until the light gives out, and tui calling from the trees as the sun goes down. 68 Forrester Drive is that kind of haven, built for exactly that kind of childhood, the good old-fashioned Kiwi kind, elevated by a genuinely polished modernization and ready for the family who wants both.
A recently refreshed home with five bedrooms plus a study, on a generous 728sqm (approx.) section, in one of Welcome Bay's most coveted family streets, it is an exceptional dream home for growing families, moments from Rangataua Bay, in a spot where kids can still walk to the water on their own two feet. This is an exceptional opportunity. Homes on Forrester Drive rarely change hands, and one with this much character, finished to this standard, will not remain available for long.
Built in the 1970s from a handsome mix of brick, block and timber, the home carries the era's best traits, solid construction, generous proportions and a floor plan built for family living rather than trend. Rather than strip that character away, the transformation has leaned into it: fresh paint runs through the majority of the interior and across the full exterior, new carpet is underfoot, and a newly added carport frames the arrival, with ample off-street parking in front of the double garage and room for a motorhome or boat.
Full fencing and three separate gated access points wrap the property in privacy: an unmistakable haven, seldom found this close to the water. Step inside and the retro warmth is immediate, but so is the modern ease. Light-filled spaces flow from room to room, wide and unhurried in the way only seventies architecture can be, built for families who want room to gather and room to retreat. The kitchen anchors it all, beautifully reimagined with a designer tile benchtop and stylish tiling, elevating a proper family kitchen without losing its character.
Beyond it, the living flows out onto a Kwila deck overlooking established gardens, a glistening spa pool and a built-in outdoor fire area, an entertainer's space that would feel just as at home in 1976 as it does today. Picture guests arriving to the scent of woodsmoke, a table set beneath the stars, the spa steaming gently as the evening cools.
The master suite is a true retreat, complete with a private ensuite, generous storage and a serene outlook toward a mature pepper tree, where tui and fantail visit daily. A second, well-appointed bathroom keeps busy school mornings simple and stress-free.
Two further bedrooms, cleverly created from the original sunroom, bring the total to five, ideal for a growing family, whether that means separate rooms for siblings or a guest room for visiting friends and family. There is also an additional study, with its own door out to the spa and outdoor fire, perfect for anyone working from home without feeling shut off from the lifestyle outside.
The outdoor appeal continues with a mini lifestyle block tucked into the section: raised garden beds, established fruit trees, a chicken coop and a garden cabin offering real sustainability without leaving the suburbs. Grow your own vegetables, collect your own eggs, and enjoy a slower, more grounded pace of life. Practicality runs through every part of this home, just as it should for a family of this size. A gas fireplace brings warmth and ambience through winter, while the double garage, carport and three gated access points handle the school run, the sports gear and the family fleet with ease, and give bikes, trailers and toys a home out of the weather.
Rangataua Bay is just metres away, offering endless opportunities for summer swims, get-togethers and more. Directly across the road, Tye Park adds even more to everyday life, with a playground, BBQ facilities, a boat and jet-ski ramp, and plenty of space for friendly dogs to play. From the front deck, bay and hill views lift your eyes to nature. Forrester Drive is a quiet, established, family-friendly street, close to local shops, cafes, Bayfair, Mount Maunganui and the Tauranga CBD, so nothing important is ever far away.
Zoned for Welcome Bay School, Tauranga Intermediate, Tauranga Boys' College and Tauranga Girls' College.
It is a special thing: a renovated, thoughtfully finished home with five bedrooms plus a study, in a location this good, with the schools, the space and the water all within easy reach.
For the family ready to put down roots, 68 Forrester Drive offers a rare opportunity, so bring the kayaks, the kids and the chickens: your bay haven has arrived!
Please note: the fourth and fifth bedrooms are noted on the original floor plan as a sunroom/study.
