122 | Sentinel Homes Auckland North & West: Ara Hills T T Karen Phelps Excellence draws accolades The cleverly conceived two storey layout places the garage, laundry, family bathroom and two bedrooms downstairs alongside a large media room, while the upstairs showcases impressive open-plan living that flows seamlessly to an outdoor kitchen and covered patio. Each edition priority delivered to your door. E . www.waterfordpress.co.nz/subscriptions . . . i i 03 983 5500 Stay informed; we work with business owners and decision-makers across all economic sectors, profiling their success. i ; i i i i - ll i , ili i . Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. r i , r I tr , r . businessnorth Despite the challenges of the job, East Coast farmer Toby Williams says rewards are easily found - page 6 Animal welfare at the heart of operation Spring 2020 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Business North Rural BUILDING Sentinel Homes Auckland North & West has carved out a distinctive approach that places thoughtful design at the heart of every project, something that managing director Maree van de Water calls “building with intent”. “It’s about intentional design and build. We spend as much time in the design space as the build space. When you spend time getting the design right the build becomes straightforward and results in a home that is beautiful to live in,” explains Maree. This intentional approach is very evident in the company’s award-winning show home in Ara Hills at 12 Kotuitui Drive, Orewa. The 199-square-metre home, perched in the hills above the coastal town, exemplifies how careful planning can create spaces that genuinely work for modern families. It’s seen the show ome win Show Home of the Year for the second consecutive year at the annual Sentinel Homes Awards evening. The cleverly conceived two storey layout places the garage, laundry, family bathroom and two bedrooms downstairs alongside a large media room, while the upstairs showcases impressive open-plan living that flows seamlessly to an outdoor kitchen and covered patio. “We won two years in a row as our show home showcases the high degree of attention to detail and thought behind the design. The home flows well and many who visit comment that they can see themselves living here,” says Maree. Maree’s journey to franchise ownership represents an unconventional path in the building industry. As the only female managing director of a Sentinel Homes franchise in New Zealand, Maree has been heading the Sentinel Northwest ship for eight years, bringing with her a wealth of property knowledge from her previous eight years in new build real estate space. Central to the company’s philosophy is a commitment to long-term relationships rather than transactional interactions. “That’s what I love about Sentinel Homes. It’s not just a transaction. We’re investing in our customers and we’re with them for the entire build process,” explains Maree. This people-first approach extends to how the business operates internally. Despite holding the managing director role, Maree remains actively involved in client-facing work. The company’s recent accolades include regional gold awards at 2025 Master Builders House of the Year Awards for homes in both the $500,000-$750,000 and $750,000-$1 million categories, demonstrating its ability to deliver excellence across various price points. Maree says these award-winning builds showcase the versatility of the ‘building with intent’ philosophy, from elevated homes with commanding gulf views to sophisticated family residences that balance luxury with practical functionality. The franchise has also received recognition at the 2025 Auckland Business Awards nominated in the Excellence in Community Contribution category reflecting its commitment to giving back to the community through its partnership with the Parenting Place charity. “For every home that is built we donate to this charity. We also do an annual fundraising dinner and charity build,” explains Maree. “The 2024 charity build held particular significance as the home was purchased by a family who had lost everything in the January 2023 floods, with all profits donated to the charity. It’s a privilege to be able to make a difference.” Contact us: Head office 03 344 0132 office@entireelectrical.co.nz www.entireelectrical.co.nz • flatpack wardrobes • walk-in wardrobes • reach-in wardrobes • free standing wardrobes • garage storage • linen cupboards sales@wardrobe-warehouse.co.nz 0800 800 833
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