OMG!!! I could easily spend half my life glued to property porn, soooo addictive...I didn't know Versailles-esque places like that last one even existed in NZ, AB! I was briefly tempted by your second offering sibble - amazing SPACE inside that house, and so light and bright - but it's too rural for me - we just escaped the countryside after four bucolic but driving-intensive years, and I am loving being a walk away from the supermarket, newsagent's, school etc! So while I don't need a big city, a suburb with amenities and a village feel is what I'd be after, near da beach. Fussy, I know 
justa - that is a very convincing illustration indeed of how much you love your new home that's really positive. I need to come over and visit, really I feel slightly hampered by only ever having driven through Auckland on the way to the airport before!
I'd be really tempted to join you on your lovely island AB if it wasn't for the impossible commute for DH (who, keep in mind, currently strolls down the hill and is at work within ten minutes!)
Back soon girls. It's been beautiful over here this weekend, May is such a gorgeous month...but grey and dull again today, sigh! Missing DS, who has gone to Paris with the school for five whole days - climbed onto the coach without a backward glance, always a good sign