Article Photo

Boats, beaches and beautiful bays: Win this first-prize home in Whitianga!

08 May 2025

Positioned on the eastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, Whitianga is a favourite holiday spot. Close to popular tourist attractions, this charming harbour town has a resort-like feel and is the perfect base to explore all the surrounding region has to offer.   

Claiming the title for being the fastest growing town in the area and offering a high quality of life, Whitianga is an ideal location for a first-prize Heart Foundation Lottery home, according to Lottery Operations Manager, Liz Halpin.  

“Because there’s so much variety in how our winners choose to utilise their prize properties, we prefer to build in locations – like Whitianga – that offer it all,” she explains. “You can live here, holiday here, or rent your property out – there's certainly enough of a demand. We’re seeing lots of people choosing to settle here for that perfect work-life balance.”  


In the kitchen, Resene Quarter Rice Cake is used on the walls, upper cabinetry and ceiling creating a light and inviting space. This classic white looks striking against the contrasting wood tones on flooring and the kitchen island. 

This expertly built and designed Jennian home adorned in gorgeous Resene neutrals, valued at over $1 million, features an open plan living, dining and kitchen area, including a walk-in pantry, as well as a separate family room. Outside, there’s a large patio providing plenty of room for the adults to entertain on, and a spacious garden for children to play in.   

The Heart Foundation collaborated with Lucy McBride from Yellow Fox and Kate Voice from The Furnishing Room on the interior design of the home, working together to create a cosy and comfortable space. Here’s what they had to say about their process: 

What was your design brief? 

Kate: We were asked to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing space. To create a modern yet cosy environment, maximising space while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere. 

Lucy: We also wanted to make sure it appealed to a wide range of people, while seamlessly blending in with its natural surroundings along the Whitianga Waterways. We were aiming for a home that was durable, timeless and practical for everyday living – but still reflected that gorgeous coastal landscape.  


Painted in Resene Quarter Rice Cake, this home is a bright and welcoming space. Pops of accented hues in blues, greens and sandy tones mirror the surrounding coastal environment.  

What colours did you choose?  

Lucy: Being such a short distance from the beach, our design was heavily influenced by the shore. For the exterior, we incorporated light sandy bricks paired with rich-toned joinery for contrast. This natural influence continued inside with Resene Quarter Rice Cake as our primary warm white, classic oak flooring and soft grey carpets. We even included complementary textured sandy bathroom tiles that mimic the organic grooves of indented sand. In the kitchen, dark fumed oak cabinetry was chosen to introduce depth and a sense of grounding, balancing the lighter tones throughout the home. To add further richness and mood to the master bedroom, we selected a feature paint colour, Resene Masala, reflecting the coastal vegetation and waterways.   

Kate: With the furnishings, I opted for a neutral base palette with warm undertones, soft greys and beiges to create a timeless and calming ambiance. To add depth and personality, I incorporated navy blue, ochre, and soft blues as accent colours, complemented with textured fabrics and artwork. 


An earthy brown, Resene Masala, was used for a feature wall in the bedroom reflecting the coastal vegetation and waterways in the area. The surrounding walls, ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Quarter Rice Cake.  

What was the biggest challenge for this project? 

Lucy: One of the biggest challenges was selecting materials that balanced durability with a cohesive coastal aesthetic. Striking this balance between function, durability and design was definitely challenging – but rewarding when it all came together! 

Kate: For me, it was a challenge to manage time with travel logistics. Coordinating with suppliers, contractors and the builder required careful planning and flexibility. We worked hard on streamlining our communication and made strategic site visits to ensure everything could be delivered and installed without delay.  


The exterior of the home ispainted in Resene Quarter Rice Cake with warm toned bricks to balance texture and depth.  

What was your favourite aspect of the design? 

Kate: I loved how the textures and materials came together to create a warm and inviting space for the new owners to enjoy for years to come.  

Lucy: My favourite aspect was being able to bring the exterior and interior together to create a cohesive feel that truly reflected the surrounding environment. It was incredibly rewarding to see how everything came together to evoke a serene coastal living experience.

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 stains. 

Funds raised from the Lottery go towards life-saving heart research and heart disease prevention programmes, keeping New Zealand families together for longer. 

You can support the Heart Foundation Lottery by purchasing tickets at heartlottery.org.nz.  

For more about the Heart Foundation Lottery, click here. 
 
images Incredible Images  
colour design  Yellow Fox 
furnishing and décor  The Furnishing Room 

Published: 08 May 2025