Mangatangi: The Inn Crowd

A country home modelled on a pub is every bit as welcoming, writes Donna Fleming.

It's not often you find a home whose look was inspired by a pub.

When Tony and Lisette Vesper were building a home at Mangatangi, near Maramarua, three years ago, they wanted to recreate the striking facade of a schist-covered and shingle-roofed pub they used to own in Havelock North.

"It reminded me of pubs in Ireland and England, and I really liked the look,'' says Tony, who comes from England.

Their home has the schist and shingles they found so appealing, but the resemblance to a quaint inn ends there. The house is a grand country residence set in 15ha of rolling pastures that used to be part of the original Montana Wines vineyard.

A tree-lined driveway leads to the house which, on a clear day has stunning views to both the Coromandel Peninsula and the Hunua Ranges.

First-time visitors tend to pull up outside and say, `Wow', says Tony.

"It does look pretty imposing from the outside but when you get inside you realise it's very homely and comfortable,'' he says. "We've got two kids and three dogs, our home has to be comfortable.''

Not all of the 30 tonnes of South Island schist used on house is on the outside, an impressive schist fireplace is a feature of the lounge. That room also has the "wow'' factor, thanks partly to its size, it's 6m by 6m with a 6m stud, and its sloping macrocarpa ceiling.

Macrocarpa is used extensively throughout the house, including interior doors, architraves and skirting, blending perfectly with the earthy-toned decor.

The master bedroom is off the lounge and features a walk-in wardrobe and en suite with underfloor heating.

Down the other end of the house is what Tony refers to as "the children's wing''. There's a bathroom and three bedrooms, one each for sons Max, aged 4, and Josh, 1, and a third used as an office.

"We were very keen to have the kids rooms away from our room and the main living area, that way we can have parties and the boys can sleep through them.''

Across the entrance hall is the kitchen and family room, which has a Masport fire. A flight of stairs leads up to two more bedrooms, a bathroom and a third living area.

"This has been a great self-contained area for my parents when they've come over from the UK,'' says Tony.

Bifold doors lead out from the downstairs living areas and two bedrooms to the large north-facing veranda. "The doors are open all summer and we live out there.''
 
Outside there's a barn, used as stables for the family's seven horses, and a show jumping arena.
The Vespers are selling their home to move closer to Auckland city, and have started building an almost identical house on new land they've bought.

"The only real difference is that it will only be one storey,'' says Tony. "We love this place so much we wanted to do it all again.''

VITAL STATISTICS

WHERE: 76 Montana Rd, Mangatangi

SIZE: Land 15 ha, house 400sqm (approx).

PRICE INDICATION: $1 million-$2 million. Auction October 15.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 1-2pm.

CONTACT: Ann and Warwick Wilson, Franklin Real Estate, 027 232 7886 (Ann), 021 803 969 (Warwick), 09 232 6886 a/h.

FEATURES: Three-year-old plaster and schist home with three large living spaces. Spa pool. Nine paddocks, stock yards, arena and barn with stable facilities. Close to Mangatangi Primary School, Miranda Hot Springs, Maramarua golf course, and the Kaiaua coast.