Magnificent mountain views: This first-prize home in Wānaka could be all yours

19 Jun 2025

Imagine watching a sunset over the summit of Mount Roy from the comfort of your own garden. With this modern three-bedroom, Resene-decorated home that is mere minutes from the lake’s shore, you can. Sun, snow or rain – bask in the surrounding natural beauty.

As one of their most popular first-prize home locations, the Heart Foundation were thrilled to return to Wānaka in celebration of their key partner, Jennian Homes’ 100th build. 

“Every home is meticulously crafted with our wonderful supporters in mind,” says Alison Wheatley-Mahon, Head of Fundraising and Partnerships at the Heart Foundation. “We are just so grateful to Jennian Homes for not only providing incredible properties for our Lottery, but also for helping to make a life-saving difference in the fight against heart disease.”

Considered the gateway to the Mount Aspiring National Park, Wānaka is the ultimate base for those looking to explore some of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders. 

On the exterior, Resene Armadillo was used on the Resene Rockcote Integra Plaster, Resene Truffle on the cladding and Resene Element on the garage trim.

This striking modern home is situated in an up-and-coming development, with majestic mountains as its backdrop. Indulge in renowned restaurants, boutique shopping and artisan farmers’ markets, and see what makes this wonderful town such a popular holiday destination!

And as this home is in such a fabulous location, it was clear that it would need to be expertly styled to match. 

Jennian Homes’ Jaimee McGrath worked alongside Liz Halpin, Lottery Operations Manager, to bring this stunning first-prize property to life. Here’s what she had to say about her experience.

A gentle warm white, Resene Half Rice Cake, was used throughout the interior allowing for pops of colour in décor to shine.

What was your design brief?

“We were tasked with designing, building and furnishing a home that would appeal to many. It had to capture the attention of supporters through photography, videos and story, in the interest of selling as many lottery tickets as possible to raise money for the incredible research and support that the Heart Foundation provides. It's always a special project to be part of, with heart issues affecting so many in our community and country.”

The open-plan living, dining and kitchen is light and inviting with Resene Half Rice Cake on walls and the ceiling and a large skylight in the kitchen.

What colours did you choose?

“Building this home in our new Kamana Rise subdivision meant that we were aware of the range of exterior colour choices, being that there are a few covenants or guidelines in place here. We went with Resene Armadillo on the Resene Rockcote Integra Plaster, and Resene Truffle on the James Hardie Oblique cladding for the contrast and also tying in with the Midland Brick Euro Modus Ceniza with Dark Mortar.

“We think this house, externally, really pops with the lush green of the rural outlook. The fascia, gutter, downpipes, window joinery, entrance and garage doors were all in FlaxPod finish, with Resene Element (the corresponding paint) used for the garage trim. 

“On the interior, to appeal to more people, we played it crisp and fresh with Resene Half Rice Cake but also brought some of the brick inside to the entry wall for texture and a feature. We then went with a terracotta mustard yellow, light spring theme in the dressing of the home with cushions, throws, bedding, artwork and plants to suit.”

This master bedroom is painted in Resene Half Rice Cake, the perfect backdrop for a lucky new owner’s furnishings and personal artwork or belongings.

What was the biggest challenge for this project?

“It's always a tough one with colours. Being in Wānaka, there is so much inspiration available with beautiful homes being built around us every day. It's great to see what people come up with, particularly within areas that have quite strict covenants. 

“It also is about personal taste, but knowing that your taste isn't everyone else's. We luckily had a lot of our colour inspiration provided by Yellow Fox, who gave us quite a detailed plan for colours. We also wanted this home to sit well within this new subdivision and be a home that people can already see themselves living in!”

Bursts of warm orange and terracotta tones carry through to the bathroom pairing well with the natural wood tones and contrasting hue of Resene Half Rice Cake on the walls and ceiling.

What was your favourite aspect of the design?

“Our favourite aspect of the design was having the freedom to decide how the whole place, inside and out, could really come together. Bringing it all together along with the trust that the Heart Foundation put in us to deliver a beautiful home. We really take these builds personally. 

“Another favourite feature, and we think giving bonus points for street appeal, is the boxed garden at the entry to achieve smooth access driveway heights and bring the exterior inside with the entry brick matching here too. 

“This home is actually some of our staff's favourite. It's in such a quiet, almost undiscovered area of Wānaka that the home is a nice, wee hideaway. The flow is very open, with the 2.7m ceiling in the living, dining, lounge area, tied in with the lightness of Resene Rice Cake and Velux skylights, it really has a relaxing, calming feel to the place.”

Enjoy mountain views and warm sunshine on the deck. Use Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain in Resene Heartwood on decking and Resene Waterborne Woodsman Pitch Black on fencing to get this outdoor look.

In partnership with its major sponsor, Jennian Homes, the Heart Foundation Lottery offers the life-changing first prize of a fully furnished home seven times each year. 

Lottery homes are built in lifestyle destinations throughout New Zealand and finished in Resene paints and wood stains. 

You can support the Heart Foundation Lottery by purchasing tickets at heartlottery.org.nz. Funds raised from the Lottery go towards life-saving heart research and heart disease prevention programmes, keeping New Zealand families together for longer. 

For more about the Heart Foundation Lottery, click here. 

colour design Yellow Fox 
images Incredible Images 
furnishing and décor Jennian Wānaka

Published: 19 Jun 2025