New Zealand's Best Homes with Phil Spencer

Phil explores three homes that embrace and celebrate change - a Bay of Islands retreat, a two-storey penthouse apartment above a jewellery store, and a rundown 100-year-old villa

Phil explores three homes that embrace and celebrate change - a Bay of Islands retreat, a two-storey penthouse apartment above a jewellery store, and a rundown 100-year-old villa

In this episode Phil tours three distinct properties, each treating the garden and landscaping with the same priority as the interior of the house. The programme shows how, for these homes, the outdoor spaces are integral to the overall design rather than an afterthought. Among the locations featured are a contemporary country residence, where modern architecture blends seamlessly with its surrounding grounds, and a tranquil subtropical retreat that offers a peaceful, leafy escape. By highlighting these examples, the show demonstrates that, in these settings, the quality of the garden and its layout is just as essential to the property’s appeal as the building itself.

In this episode Phil tours three distinct properties, each treating the garden and landscaping with the same priority as the interior of the house. The programme shows how, for these homes, the outdoor spaces are integral to the overall design rather than an afterthought. Among the locations featured are a contemporary country residence, where modern architecture blends seamlessly with its surrounding grounds, and a tranquil subtropical retreat that offers a peaceful, leafy escape. By highlighting these examples, the show demonstrates that, in these settings, the quality of the garden and its layout is just as essential to the property’s appeal as the building itself.

Phil sets off to discover dwellings that draw from the landscape. His first stop is a timber‑clad cabin tucked deep within a forest, where the building’s form follows the surrounding trees. Next he travels to a sleek, modern stronghold perched on a hilltop, its design echoing the rugged silhouette of the ridge. The journey concludes at a house sited on an estuary, its architecture shaped by the water’s ebb and flow. Throughout, Phil highlights how each property mirrors the character of its setting, showing the close link between place and design. He notes how the timber cabin blends with the forest canopy, how the hilltop fortress commands the skyline, and how the estuary house embraces the water’s edge.

Phil sets off to discover dwellings that draw from the landscape. His first stop is a timber‑clad cabin tucked deep within a forest, where the building’s form follows the surrounding trees. Next he travels to a sleek, modern stronghold perched on a hilltop, its design echoing the rugged silhouette of the ridge. The journey concludes at a house sited on an estuary, its architecture shaped by the water’s ebb and flow. Throughout, Phil highlights how each property mirrors the character of its setting, showing the close link between place and design. He notes how the timber cabin blends with the forest canopy, how the hilltop fortress commands the skyline, and how the estuary house embraces the water’s edge.

Phil heads to a beachside residence that evokes the ambience of a Mediterranean resort, taking in its relaxed, sun‑washed atmosphere. From there he moves on to a quiet suburban sanctuary, a hidden enclave set back from the busy main road, where the surroundings feel removed from the hustle of everyday life. The episode also includes a look at a distinctive copper‑clad house perched in Queenstown, adding another striking property to the tour. Throughout, Phil’s walk‑throughs highlight the unique character of each location, from the coastal vibe to the tucked‑away neighbourhood retreat and the eye‑catching copper home with its striking copper exterior.

Phil heads to a beachside residence that evokes the ambience of a Mediterranean resort, taking in its relaxed, sun‑washed atmosphere. From there he moves on to a quiet suburban sanctuary, a hidden enclave set back from the busy main road, where the surroundings feel removed from the hustle of everyday life. The episode also includes a look at a distinctive copper‑clad house perched in Queenstown, adding another striking property to the tour. Throughout, Phil’s walk‑throughs highlight the unique character of each location, from the coastal vibe to the tucked‑away neighbourhood retreat and the eye‑catching copper home with its striking copper exterior.

Phil heads to a beachside residence that evokes the ambience of a Mediterranean resort, taking in its relaxed, sun‑washed atmosphere. From there he moves on to a quiet suburban sanctuary, a hidden enclave set back from the busy main road, where the surroundings feel removed from the hustle of everyday life. The episode also includes a look at a distinctive copper‑clad house perched in Queenstown, adding another striking property to the tour. Throughout, Phil’s walk‑throughs highlight the unique character of each location, from the coastal vibe to the tucked‑away neighbourhood retreat and the eye‑catching copper home with its striking copper exterior.