Mangawhai - Accidental resident

A temporary job led a teacher to a lifetime love affair with Mangawhai.

58 Old Waipu Road, Mangawhai.

A temporary job at Kings' College brought Englishman David Canning to New Zealand in 1954. When he arrived, he didn't envisage that arrangement becoming long-term.

As he says, ``I didn't intend being a teacher at all but I ended up staying at Kings' for the rest of my teaching days.''

In his first year in the country he saw a house in Mangawhai that he admired and thought he'd like to own one day. In 1975 he bought it and that began his 31-year association with the area.

In 2003, David and wife Jennifer Taylor built their present home on what was ``an old cow paddock''.

They designed the layout of the board and batten house and had a draughtsman draw it up.

They positioned the house on the section so that it was close to a stand of native bush on the neighbouring section - this not only gave them shelter from the wind but also meant the land could easily be subdivided if that ever became an option.

The house faces northeast with the living areas and decks facing out to a wide view over the estuary.

``It does not look at the ocean but it has a lovely, lofty view over the estuary,'' says David. ``And it's a view that is not going to be molested by other people putting houses up.''

Visitors approach the house from the rear, where the internal access double garage is located. A path down the side of the house winds through trees and shrubs to the front door that leads into the L-shaped open plan living area. This area opens out on to a sunny deck that has an electric awning.

From the deck you step down to a large expanse of lawn surrounded by trees and shrubs such as pittosporum and eugenia.

A hallway from the living area leads to the three bedrooms and the main bathroom and goes on to the garage, which also houses a workshop, laundry and a third toilet.

The master bedroom, which has views of the estuary and garden, has an en suite and walk-in wardrobe. The guest bedroom has a door into the main bathroom.

Also on the property is a garden shed and a shade house that David uses to rear butterflies - mainly monarchs. ``In retirement it appealed to me that I would like to contribute to the environment, plus I do enjoy seeing them.''

David and Jennifer are selling up to move back to Devonport. ``We have to look at this in practical terms,'' says David. ``I'm in my mid-70s and I don't know how long I want to go on looking after a property like this.''

Plus he made a deal with Jennifer, who enjoys her urban comforts, that they would return there one day. And it will also allow David, who has a background in the navy, to more easily attend meetings and functions at the naval base.

``There will be things we miss, like walking the coast and the abundant bird life, but we have many friends in Auckland.''

VITAL STATISTICS

BEDROOMS: 3

BATHROOMS: 3

GARAGES: 2

SIZE: Land 3515sq m, house 178.8sq m.

PRICE: Interest expected above CV of $560,000. Auction October 18.

INSPECT: Sat/Sun 2-3pm

ON THE WEB: www.bayleys.co.nz # 312035

CONTACT: Dianne Christensen or Robbie Robertson, Bayleys, ph 09 431 5415 bus, Dianne 021 741 541 mob, Robbie 021 95 97 98 mob.

FEATURES: Board and batten home in sheltered setting with wide views over estuary. Open plan living flows to sunny deck. Large lawn surrounded by trees and shrubs.