---
okf_version: "0.2"
type: "Article"
title: "Dave and Emma’s house — our TV Star Setting"
description: "The occasion was our annual get-together, a time when our daughters fly in from far-away places. We chose Auckland’s West Coast beaches for the first time."
resource: "https://travelmemo.com/new-zealand/dave-and-emmas-house-our-tv-star-setting"
language: en
author: "Justine Tyerman"
publisher: "Travelmemo"
photo_count: 14
tags: ["Architecture", "Beach", "Country House", "New Zealand"]
entities:
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  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/architecture"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/sea-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/lodge"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/air-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culinary-tourism"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel"
  - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/winter-tourism"
generated: { by: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/tyermanj", at: 2026-07-04T13:27:06+00:00 }
sources:
  - id: photos
    resource: dave-and-emmas-house-our-tv-star-setting.md#photos
    title: "Original photography by Justine Tyerman"
    author: "human:https://travelmemo.com/author/tyermanj"
    last_modified: 2017-01-30
timestamp: 2026-07-04T13:27:06+00:00
---

# Dave and Emma’s house — our TV Star Setting

> A striking architect-designed home perched on the ridge between Piha and Karekare beaches on Auckland's West Coast, used as a filming location for the TV series 800 Words and offering panoramic views of the Waitakere Ranges and black-sand beaches.

## Destination
On the ridge between Piha and Karekare beaches, Auckland's West Coast, New Zealand — about 50–60 minutes' drive from Auckland Airport.

## Getting there
Car rental via JUCY Rentals; approximately 50–60 minutes from Auckland Airport.

## Why visit
A celebrity-status home with dramatic geometric architecture, sweeping views of the Waitakere Ranges and Karekare Beach, and easy access to one of the world's most beautiful black-sand beaches, made famous by the 1993 film The Piano.

## What to see
- **Karekare Beach** — Black-sand beach voted one of the world's most beautiful; backdrop for the 1993 Academy Award-winning film The Piano.
- **Waitakere Ranges** — Moody bush-covered ranges visible from the rear deck and lounge panoramic windows.
- **Lion Rock, Piha** — Distinctive rock formation at Piha accessible by the team on foot.
- **Mercer Bay** — Features sphinx-like rock formations nearby.
- **Te Ahua Point Lookout** — Coastal lookout with views over the area.
- **Tasman Lookout** — Offers views of Lion Rock, Taitomo Island, and Piha.

## What to do
- **Relax in the spa pool** — Rear spa pool overlooking the Waitakere Ranges, a favourite winter spot.
- **Outside dining on the north-facing deck** — Sun-filled front deck with a large macrocarpa table and tropical garden setting.
- **Lounge reading on the rear lower deck** — S-shaped recliners create a feeling of floating above the Waitakere Ranges.
- **Evening chiminea on the sheltered front deck** — Covered outdoor fire used on cooler evenings.
- **Walking the Marawhara Track** — Trail offering views over Piha.

## Good to know
The house was designed by Tim Dorrington of Dorrington Atcheson Architects and was featured as a set in the TV series 800 Words. It was accessed via the international home swap club Love Home Swap. Accommodation in the area is scarce at the height of summer, so early booking is advised.

## Photos

```yaml
photos:
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/justine-tyerman-family.jpg"
    caption: "Our team half way up Lion Rock"
    keywords: ["Justine Tyerman"]
    captured: 2017-01-26
    geo: {latitude: -36.9585, longitude: 174.468}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/deck-dave-emma-house.jpg"
    caption: "Bridget and Jeremy on the deck overlooking the Waitakere Ranges at Dave and Emma's Love Home Swap house"
    keywords: ["Love Home Swap", "Waitakere Ranges", "deck"]
    captured: 2017-01-27
    geo: {latitude: -36.9585, longitude: 174.468}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dave-emma-house.jpg"
    caption: "I loved the silvery Lawsons cypress of the cladding and the Australian blue gum decking that runs right through the centre of the house"
    keywords: ["Love Home Swap"]
    captured: 2017-01-27
    geo: {latitude: -36.9585, longitude: 174.468}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dave-emma-house-garden.jpg"
    caption: "Garden view of Dave and Emma's Love Home Swap house"
    keywords: ["Dave and Emma's house", "Love Home Swap"]
    captured: 2017-01-30
    geo: {latitude: -36.9585, longitude: 174.468}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/chris-tyerman-sophie-kitchen.jpg"
    caption: "Chris and Sophie having fun in the kitchen at Dave and Emma's Love Home Swap house"
    keywords: ["Chris Tyerman", "Dave and Emma's house", "Love Home Swap", "kitchen"]
    captured: 2017-01-29
    geo: {latitude: -36.9585, longitude: 174.468}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/chris-tyerman-kitchen.jpg"
    caption: "Chris preparing lunch at Dave and Emma's Love Home Swap house"
    keywords: ["Chris Tyerman", "Love Home Swap", "kitchen"]
    captured: 2017-01-27
    geo: {latitude: -36.9585, longitude: 174.468}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dave-emma-house-workbench.jpg"
    caption: "The main workbench is stainless steel against a wall-splashback of dark green tiles"
    keywords: ["Dave and Emma's house", "Love Home Swap", "kitchen"]
    captured: 2017-01-29
    geo: {latitude: -36.9585, longitude: 174.468}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/dave-emma-house-kitchen.jpg"
    caption: "Stylish kitchen"
    keywords: ["Dave and Emma's house", "Love Home Swap", "kitchen"]
    captured: 2017-01-29
    geo: {latitude: -36.9585, longitude: 174.468}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/sphinx-mercer-bay.jpg"
    caption: "The sphinx-like rock formations at Mercer Bay"
    keywords: ["Mercer Bay", "Sphinx"]
    captured: 2017-01-28
    geo: {latitude: -36.9585, longitude: 174.468}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/lion-rock-tasman-outlook.jpg"
    caption: "View of Lion Rock from the Tasman Lookout"
    keywords: ["Lion Rock", "Tasman lookout"]
    captured: 2017-01-27
    geo: {latitude: -36.9585, longitude: 174.468}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/piha-beach-marawhara-track.jpg"
    caption: "View of Piha from the Marawhara Track"
    keywords: ["Piha Beach"]
    captured: 2017-01-27
    geo: {latitude: -36.9585, longitude: 174.468}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/taitomo-island-1.jpg"
    caption: "View of Taitomo Island from the Tasman Lookout Track"
    keywords: ["Taitomo Island", "Tasman lookout"]
    captured: 2017-01-27
    geo: {latitude: -36.9575, longitude: 174.4685}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/watchman-rock-karekare-beach.jpg"
    caption: "The Watchman at Karekare Beach"
    keywords: ["Karekare Beach", "rock"]
    captured: 2017-01-26
    geo: {latitude: -36.9575, longitude: 174.4685}
  - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/justine-tyerman-te-ahua-point-lookout.jpg"
    caption: "Justine at Te Ahua Point Lookout"
    keywords: ["Justine Tyerman", "Te Ahua Point"]
    captured: 2017-01-28
    geo: {latitude: -36.9585, longitude: 174.468}
```