Unit D, 134 Waterfont Dr, Mangonui. Photo / Supplied
Unit D, 134 Waterfont Dr, Mangonui. Photo / Supplied
High above the Far North waters of Mangonui Harbour, Peter and Carol Krogh's "Krogh's Nest" penthouse apartment has been about their Kiwi friendships, their American friends and family and international diplomatic relations.
They have hosted countless memorable summit meetings for all and they have never stopped marvelling at the similarities between Mangonui and their hometown village of Siasconset on Nantucket Island, off the US east coast.
"They are really sister villages," says Peter. "They are almost exactly the same in size, atmosphere and in their historical ties to whaling and fishing generally."
From this light-filled home, which Peter and Carol bought off the plans during a visit in 2002, they take in 180-degree bay views, including Butlers Point, which has a boutique whaling museum similar to the one on Nantucket Island.
In the Krogh's spirit of trans-Pacific partnerships, each museum has been gifted a memento reaffirming their respective, historical connections.
Even closer to home, in this summer house that is their world away from the freezing American winters, they have hung framed Nantucket whale-themed posters alongside their locally-made artisan craft furniture and accessories that includes whale tail-shaped chairs.
Peter and Carol adopted the iridescent beauty of in-laid paua as their signature Kiwi accent.
Unit D, 134 Waterfont Dr, Mangonui. Photo / Supplied
It is in their occasional tables, their stair hand rail and on their deck rail across the front of the apartment. The seagulls hate that deck rail — but Peter and Carol love it for its beauty — and because the seagulls can't land on it.
"It is gorgeous looking out in the changing light and seeing the sun dancing on the azure waters, and all those colours being picked up in the paua," says Peter. "I think we have one of the most beautiful views on the planet here and I can still hardly believe it."
Peter and Carol's introduction to the Far North dates back to their three-month cycling trip in 1996, part of Peter's sabbatical from his academic post at Washington's Georgetown University. That trip confirmed Mangonui as their preferred base, for its climate and water views.
Unit D, 134 Waterfont Dr, Mangonui. Photo / Supplied
Returning six years later on a second sabbatical, Peter saw an architectural drawing of this proposed four-unit "Harbourside" apartment development on the internet, and negotiated with the developer to co-fund the construction in return for a reduced price on the penthouse.
In January 2006, Peter and Carol moved into the apartment with its white decor, recycled rimu floors and the fruits of a whirlwind four-day furniture buying spree from Mangonui to Whangarei, 140km away.
Designer Michael Sloane of North Arc Design originally drew up this apartment with three bedrooms, but Peter and Carol decided to integrate the surplus third bedroom into the lounge as a library. One bedroom and bathrooms on each of the two levels, with the master bedroom upstairs has suited them perfectly and delighted their US friends.
Unit D, 134 Waterfont Dr, Mangonui. Photo / Supplied
"When we took the plunge to move down here it was quite dramatic for our friends," says Peter. They said 'Don't you want to retire with your old friends?' I said 'Not really. We'd like to make some new friends'. We came out here and we met the most wonderful people."
They have hosted Kiwi friends on Nantucket Island including two couples who flew up to their wedding on the island in September 2007.
For Peter, who is 81, and Carol, 67, it is the pull of their family — including six grandchildren — that is behind their decision to sell their Mangonui home and move back to Nantucket Island and their second US home in Washington.
