PHOTO: Christine Rankin. SUPPLIED
Former Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) chief executive Christine Rankin is selling the Taupō property she has called home for the past 11 years, marking the end of one chapter while making it clear another is about to begin.
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home at 58 Gillespie Place, Acacia Bay, has been listed for sale after Rankin and her husband, Kim MacIntyre, decided to move to another property within Taupō.
“We may move houses, but I can’t imagine leaving this town,” Rankin said.
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A New Beginning in Taupō
After years living in Auckland, Rankin and MacIntyre relocated to Taupō seeking a quieter lifestyle. What began as a weekend visit quickly became a permanent move after discovering the secluded 3,005sqm property in Acacia Bay.
Over the past decade, the home has become a private sanctuary filled with artwork, established gardens and personal memorabilia collected throughout Rankin’s public career.
Despite selling, Rankin says the move isn’t about leaving Taupō.
“I love Taupō, I absolutely love it.”
Instead, the couple have found another large home on a smaller section that better suits their next stage of life.
From Public Scrutiny to Community Leadership
Christine Rankin remains one of New Zealand’s most recognisable public figures.
As chief executive of Work and Income New Zealand during the late 1990s and early 2000s, she introduced significant welfare reforms that attracted intense public attention.
Speaking about that period, Rankin recalled receiving death threats, requiring police protection and being unable to walk in public without confrontation.
After moving to Taupō, she redirected her focus toward community service, becoming both a Taupō District councillor and Chief Executive of Lake Taupō Hospice.
She says life in Taupō has given her something she values deeply.
Today, she enjoys being recognised for positive reasons, describing the town as welcoming and close-knit, where a quick coffee often turns into lengthy conversations with locals.
A Home Designed for Privacy
The property offers:
- Four bedrooms
- Two bathrooms
- Approximately 3,005sqm of landscaped grounds
- Separate art room
- Open-plan living
- North-facing aspect
- Indoor-outdoor flow from the lounge and main bedroom
- Mature gardens offering exceptional privacy
According to Ray White agents Rosie Harvey and Nikki de Ville, one of the home’s standout features is the dedicated art room, which creates an immediate impression upon entry.
The expansive grounds also provide plenty of space for families, entertaining and outdoor living.
Rankin and her husband, Kim MacIntyre, have lived at the “incredibly private” 3005sqm property for 11 years. Photo / Supplied
Taupō Market Remains Stable
Harvey says the Taupō property market continues to perform steadily, particularly where vendors price their homes in line with current market conditions.
The home has a current Rating Valuation (RV) of $1.54 million, with the agents suggesting it would particularly appeal to families wanting space, privacy and established gardens close to the lake.
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home has been a great canvas for Rankin’s impressive art collection. Photo / Supplied
No Plans to Slow Down
Although she’s selling one of Taupō’s more recognisable homes, Rankin says retirement isn’t on the agenda.
After more than four decades in public life, she insists she has no intention of disappearing from the public eye.
“There’s no way I’m going to fade into the background.”
For now, the move simply represents another chapter in a town she says she will always call home.
The large home with an open plan kitchen is being pitched as the perfect home for a young family. Photo / Supplied
SOURCE: ONEROOF