Tragic twist for rugby player’s unfinished dream home

When former New Zealand Māori rugby league player Mike Te Hira bought a West Auckland property three decades ago, he had grand plans for his dream family home.

Nestled above Manukau Harbour in Laingholm, the sprawling three-bedroom house was designed to feature multiple decks and sweeping views across the water and Waitākere Ranges.

Instead, it remains unfinished following Te Hira’s death from cancer in 2025.

Te Hira, who played football for the Glenora Rugby League club starting in the 1980s before representing New Zealand Māori and later becoming a builder, planned to transform it over the years.

Te Hira’s friend and former selling agent, Redvers McCabe, previously told OneRoof that the property had got away from the late athlete.

“Mike always had grand visions of the place, but he was busy running around with his family, and the house came last,” McCabe said.

“He battled cancer for probably about 30 years, and he never believed it would get him. But unfortunately, he ran out of time.”

Following Te Hira’s death, his widow Pam Carlsen put the unfinished home on the market last year.

It spent at least nine months on the market and had interest from builders and other prospective buyers, but contracts ultimately fell through, according to McCabe.

The family’s price expectations dropped from around NZ$700,000 ($635,000) to just under NZ$500,000 ($450,000).

“It is a bit of a sad story,” McCabe told OneRoof.

Now the property has returned to the market, with Barfoot & Thompson agent Ari Tidyman, who specialises in mortgagee sales, taking the home to auction.

According to the listing, the house itself spans about 220 square metres, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and various outdoor spaces, including a rooftop deck.

Some work has already been completed, including installing a new roof, but the rest of the renovation will have to be tackled by the next owner.

“Set within the unique hillside community of Laingholm, the property enjoys a peaceful setting surrounded by native bush, while remaining within easy reach of local amenities, recreational reserves and wider West Auckland,” the listing reads.

The property is listed for mortgagee auction on September 2.