Real joy can follow true disaster and that is the case for Auckland couple Leon and Marlise Steyn. They lost their family home in the Auckland Anniversary weekend floods in 2023 and now they are loving their new place built by Generation Homes in Milldale, North Auckland.
The couple are originally from South Africa and moved to New Zealand in 2010. They have their own business, called Sedacom Ltd, specialising in security, data and telecommunications solutions.
Leon and Marlise have a five-year-old son and a two-year-old daughter, who are their pride and joy, and they are also pastors of a church in Whangaparāoa.
The floods happened when their daughter was just 10 days old. “The first few weeks after the floods, everything was a bit of a blur,” Leon says.
They moved into a rental property in Whangaparāoa and initially thought their Wainui house could be repaired through insurance. Unfortunately, a few days before the repairs were to start, Auckland Council advised them their property assessment had changed – it wasn’t safe to live there and the council would buy the place.
“It was the last thing we expected,” Leon says.
Their journey to a wonderful new Generation Home began with a conversation at church with New Home Sales Consultants Nadine and Norman Markgraaff. Here is their story.
LEON
We looked at a few existing houses, but nothing really ticked all the boxes. We liked the idea of starting fresh with something new, something that suited us rather than compromising on what was already out there.
MARLISE
We started out unsure whether we should buy, build, or even just keep renting, but after looking at existing homes, nothing really stood out. We wanted something new that we could put our own touch on. We know Norman and Nadine from church, so we had a chat with them and they introduced us to the idea of a home and income package. The price difference between building new and buying existing wasn’t much, and being able to rent out the minor dwelling to help with repayments really appealed to us. They had a section available, and after visiting it, we both felt like it was just right. There was a lot of prayer and thought that went into it, but everything came together so naturally.
LEON
We first heard about Generation Homes through friends from church who have been with the company for a few years (New Home Sales Consultants Nadine and Norman Markgraaff). So we visited one of their open homes and were impressed. The quality stood out, and the whole process just felt comfortable. Norman and Nadine were friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to answer all our questions. Nothing was ever too much trouble.
MARLISE
When we saw the open home, we really liked the quality, and the layout was great as well. We know Norman and Nadine as an honest, trustworthy couple and they proved themselves to be very knowledgeable and experienced, which made the decision an easy one.
LEON
We liked what Generation Homes offered and also that it was a fixed price. We didn’t want to get involved in a project where building costs could blow out of the water, so a fixed price agreement just made sense and gave us the peace of mind that we wanted. It included everything – the land, the build, the appliances, the blinds - even basic landscaping, so the house would be ready for us to move in.
MARLISE
We also valued Norman and Nadine’s expertise. Any questions that we had beforehand were answered, and they explained the whole process thoroughly. We were confident that the project would be well-managed with a great outcome.
LEON
The process was straightforward. We were given a clear timeline right from the start, and everything happened exactly as scheduled, if not earlier, which was impressive considering the weather. They told us we’d have the keys on the delivery date or sooner, and that’s exactly what happened. I also had a bit of a unique perspective since I work in security and telecommunications. I asked if I could handle the cabling myself, and the team was super flexible about it and everyone was great. Being on site more often meant I got to see the build progress up close and even chat with the contractors. One of them told me it was the first time they’d met one of the owners in person.
MARLISE
It was such an easy and stress-free experience. Everything was transparent, they walked us through the process step by step and made sure we felt comfortable the whole way through. Having a detailed schedule helped so much with planning ahead, especially for things like progress payments. We were able to coordinate everything with the bank and our lawyers well in advance, which took a lot of pressure off. The team kept us informed throughout, and knowing we were ahead of schedule was just the cherry on top.
LEON
Absolutely. Even before meeting the wider team, we had full trust in them especially knowing Norman and Nadine. We’ve known them for a long time, so we already felt confident we were in good hands. Once we met Peter, Deb, Connor, and the rest of the team, that trust only grew. Everyone we dealt with was just amazing. Even the colour consultant made what could’ve been an overwhelming process feel simple and enjoyable. She guided us through everything from paint to blinds and really understood what we were going for.
MARLISE
Yes, we definitely trusted them to deliver a beautiful home and they did. Sitting down with all the colour and design choices could’ve been overwhelming, but the consultant really listened to what we wanted and made it easy to visualise how everything would come together. In the end, it turned out even better than we imagined. The whole team was fantastic to work with, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.
MARLISE
We always say they’re amazing, and they genuinely have a great reputation. Even our lawyer commented on it. When we said we were building with Generation Homes, she mentioned she’d had a few clients use them and had only ever heard good things. That was really reassuring to hear from someone outside the process, and it absolutely matched our experience. They delivered exactly what they promised, which is so important. You often hear stories where people end up paying more than expected or dealing with poor quality, but that wasn’t the case at all. We’re very happy with the outcome.
LEON
Even when it came to the home and income setup, we were impressed. The minor dwelling wasn’t just an afterthought or a basic build. They used the same quality materials and fixtures as the main house. Nothing was skimped on, and you could tell there was a lot of care and attention put into it. That really stood out to us.
LEON
We chose one of Generation Homes’ plans, and it was clear a lot of thought had already gone into the design. It worked well for us, and we only made a few minor changes. Some of those were suggestions from Norman that we absolutely loved. One of them was adding LED strip lights under the kitchen cabinets, which has become one of my favourite features. We also added an outdoor power plug near the deck. Norman pointed out that it’s much easier and more affordable to do it during the build than after, and he was right.
MARLISE
The plan really suited us. We just made a few small tweaks to make it even better for how we live. For example, we extended the laminate flooring to the guest bathroom since it’s a high-traffic area and easier to maintain than carpet. We kept carpet in the bedrooms but opted for hard flooring throughout the rest of the home. All the changes we made were small and didn’t add a lot of extra cost. It really felt like Generation Homes had already thought of everything.
MARLISE
We love the open-plan living area. It’s great for having friends over, and the kids have plenty of space to play, while the bedrooms are tucked away and private. I also really like all the hidden cabinets and storage throughout the house. The minor dwelling is another highlight. It has its own private entrance, so we don’t see the tenants unless we happen to cross paths outside. And honestly, one of the biggest things for me is how warm the house is. Our previous home had no insulation and was freezing in winter, but both the main house and the minor dwelling are warm and dry. That’s been such a blessing, especially with little ones.
LEON
I really enjoy the indoor-outdoor flow. We’ve got ranch sliders in the lounge that open out to a big deck, which makes for a perfect entertainment area. Being South African, I love being able to have a barbecue outside.
LEON
What I really love about the location is the view. In the mornings, when you open the blinds in the lounge, you can look out past the surrounding houses and see right into the rural Wainui side. The sunrise through the kitchen and living area is just spectacular. It’s one of those little things that makes a big difference. That indoor-outdoor flow, with the ranch sliders leading out to the deck, makes it perfect for barbecues and entertaining. It’s something I really appreciate about where we are.
MARLISE
It’s just really peaceful, although it is close to the motorway and amenities. We like that Milldale is a new development and it’s a great place to raise a family. It was actually recently voted to be NZ’s most family-friendly suburb – so there are many young families, and the house price growth has been strong.
LEON
It was just so exciting. We’d been in limbo for the past two years, renting a smaller place in Whangaparāoa while we figured out what was next. So moving in felt amazing — having the space again, knowing it was ours. The Generation Homes team made moving day extra special too. They had a big blue ribbon on the front door, snacks and drinks set up inside, and they genuinely celebrated that moment with us. That meant a lot.
MARLISE
It really felt like the beginning of a new season for us. We were just so happy to be in our own place again, able to settle and make it a home. We loved it from the moment we stepped in.
LEON
From the start, think about the little things that really matter to you and make it personal. The plan we chose already had everything we needed, but we added a few small extras like an outdoor plug near the entertainment area and quick-step flooring in high-traffic spots. If you talk through those things with the team early on, they can give you a quote and it might not cost much to include. Planning those things upfront really helps keep the budget manageable.
MARLISE
Definitely have a clear discussion about your budget early in the process and stick to it. Being upfront about what you want makes it easier for everyone.
LEON
Also, think about maintenance. We had a big countryside property before, and it was hard to keep up with. This time we wanted something simple and low maintenance. After two years in an apartment post-flood, the one thing I really wanted was grass. Generation Homes delivered, we’ve got grass all around and low-maintenance garden beds with beautiful flowers. It’s exactly what we needed.
