Building an ambitious mansion in Te Arai almost proved too much for a New Plymouth couple, who found their stamina strained by cramped temporary living conditions and ever-inflating costs as they build their dream home.

Vince and Cathy Moores' story featured on Grand Designs NZ this week, as the couple set out to build their dream home on a 2ha site at Te Arai, north of Auckland.

On the latest episode of Grand Designs NZ – a house at Te Arai in Northland – host Chris Moller is also worried by the end of the build: "I just hope they get to enjoy it, and don't end up living in the shed".

Te Arai Lodge owners Vince and Kathy Moores battle escalating costs and Vince's depression in the latest episode of Grand Designs NZ.

Vince Moores has his own cure for depression – he gets on his bicycle and pretty much doesn't stop for 12,000km, which gets him from Cairo right down to South Africa.

And it that's a bit too far, then he settles for shorter rides, diving, hitch-hiking or climbing – getting out into the "blue and green".