Catherine Masters: Memories cast in stone

80 Tarapatiki Drive, Ohuka Park, Whitianga. Photo / Supplied

When Peter and Dorothy Chaffin's daughter moved to New Zealand from the UK, mum and dad followed.

Daughter Fiona and her New Zealand husband settled by the sea in Whitianga so Peter and Dorothy, a retired chief executive and a retired school principal, bought a house in the township.

But they were used to a larger house, so they started looking for a section, wanting to be close to town but also wanting privacy and views.

Their search lead them to farmland that had been divided into sections in Ohuka Park. Finding one that ticked all their boxes, they bought it.

But then another section came up that suited them more, so they bought that, too, and 11 years ago set about building their home.

Dorothy, who is keen on architecture, had a lot of input into the design of the house which looks out over Mercury Bay and has 180-degree views.

The deck, for example, kept getting bigger, she says, and the views stretch across the bay to Shakespeare Cliffs and Cooks Beach beyond.

They can also see the town which is only a seven-minute drive away, plus it is only three minutes' drive to Brophy's Beach for dog walking or boating.

Peter says their requirements for the house included three bedrooms each with en suite facilities so their grandchildren and overseas visitors could stay. They also put in a loft in the garage for storage.

80 Tarapatiki Drive, Ohuka Park, Whitianga. Photo / Supplied

They have a study each, though Dorothy's is a substantial room she uses for her art work but which she says would make an ideal rumpus room.

That room can be accessed without having to go through the house so would also be good for running a business from.

"We were determined to be as eco-friendly as we could," says Peter.

All the walls of the brick and plaster house were insulated and, as the couple found the New Zealand light a bit bright, they had all the windows not only double-glazed but tinted.

There is under-floor heating in the kitchen, bathrooms and the study, and a double-sided gas fire divides the lounge and family area but gets little use as the house is so well insulated.

Keen gardeners, they put in levels which lead down to a feeder stream to the Tarapatiki Stream.

"The challenge was for us to convert this slope into a garden which would offer us seclusion and safety for our animals," says Peter. He says the front garden includes mature trees and there is a large drive with plenty of parking for visitors' cars or boats."

80 Tarapatiki Drive, Ohuka Park, Whitianga. Photo / Supplied

A side patio has a pergola covered with wisteria, star jasmine and bougainvillea.

The garden is terraced and separated by rock walls.

"This was achieved by bringing in 375 rocks from the local quarry and constructing over 100 steps," says Peter.

The house incorporates schist columns. Inspiration came from the house they had back in the UK — adapted to include a New Zealand flavour.

The master bedroom has an en suite and walk-in wardrobe with sliding doors to the deck and wonderful views; and the house is designed with an easy, circular flow from room to room.

Peter says "it's all our favourite" and Dorothy says the house will be "incredibly difficult" to leave, but they are heading into their 80s and need something smaller so they are having another house built in town.

"It's been a happy home and I think the stones absorb all that sort of thing and give it out again," says Dorothy.

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