Herald Homes. 20 Kiwi Esplanade, home of Hana-Maree Lambert and Peter Sherwin. 14 October 2015 New Zealand Herald Photograph by Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
Herald Homes. 20 Kiwi Esplanade, home of Hana-Maree Lambert and Peter Sherwin. 14 October 2015 New Zealand Herald Photograph by Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
Hana Lambert and her adult sons understand the pull of the Manukau more than most. The boys grew up in Huia at the western entrance to the Manukau Harbour and when Kimi was a toddler he'd watch the cement boats sailing past their home, dreaming a dream that he hasrealised at this end of the harbour.
Now aged 20, he is serving his maritime cadetship on the MV Westport based at the Port of Onehunga just across the water from this home Hana and her husband Peter Sherwin built in 2009. They have Peter to thank for finding this spot -- previously a 1920s bach on a cross-leased site.
Setting aside earlier notions of building on the rear empty site, they bought the entire property in early 2008, fashioned the bach into the perfect venue for the 120 guests at their wedding two months later, then pulled it apart for renovation.
A week later, after finding asbestos and one of the old foundations sitting on an engine block, the builder declared the bach beyond redemption. Unwilling to turn their back on possibilities and potential, Hana and Peter adapted their plans by Tauranga-based architectural designer Denton Perry, who is Peter's brother-in-law, and built this larger home that won Keota Homes a 2009 Master Builders silver award. It has given them all a new perspective on life, looking north beyond the reserve that borders the water.
They watched the new Manukau Harbour crossing motorway bridge take shape, loved answering phone calls from friends wanting the latest traffic report en route to the airport and embraced people calling in for coffee, staying overnight or even meeting at the airport for those personal connections.
"We see a whole lot more of our friends and family even if they just drop in for a cup of tea. It's wonderful," says Hana.
Life out here has been a perfect blend of home and work, with Hana and Peter running their career counselling and tertiary education consultancy businesses from two ground-floor offices.
Image 1 of 12: Stylish, contemporary home on the Manukau Harbour offers all-weather outdoor living a short walk from the port. Photos / Getty
Built of Linea weatherboard, their home has a contemporary flavour, from the polished concrete floors in the living areas to the floating kwila timber stairs up to the master bedroom and its deck, to the pitched roofline and double-glazed, silver anodised aluminium joinery.
It has one seaward deck off the lounge and the kitchen and a second, garden-side enclosed deck, offering all-weather outdoor living.
The bathrooms and powder room, among other interior work, were done by interior designer Natasha Moorman.
Even the garage/workshop is stylish, with plywood lining and painted concrete floor. The garden includes an original curved volcanic stone wall and several newer raised garden beds filled with vegetables and other edibles.
The drive for this property is by Scott Ave, with off-street parking outside the front gate. Just a short walk away at the boat ramp, Hana and her family can see right down the Manukau to Huia.
If they keep walking along the water's edge, they'll find themselves on the national walkway -- Te Araroa -- from North Cape to Bluff.
For now, Hana and Peter's plan is to head south to their kiwifruit orchard property in Katikati where they are planning another new build.
They'll keep a base in Auckland for business.
Peter says: "This house has been good to us. It has been a lovely spot in a great period of our lives."
