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 has realised 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.
