Henderson Valley: Painting mind pictures

Photo / Greg Trounce

Graham Hepburn finds a Queensland-style homestead doesn't look out of place in semi-rural Henderson, thanks to its perfectionist renovator.

10 Opanuku Rd, Henderson Valley

An Australian road trip inspired Rod and Dale Hansen to take a longer and much more torturous journey: turning an 80-year-old cottage into a stately residence.

After the Hansens' travelling holiday from Port Douglas to Brisbane, Rod says he "fell in love with the Queenslander look; the deep verandahs all around."

Later on, in 1999, the Hansens were living in Glen Eden but were wanting to move when Rod went to look at a house at 13 Opanuku Rd and then saw another - number 10 - was also up for sale.

"Because I'd liked the look of the Queenslander homes we saw, and because I'd renovated a few homes, when I had a look at this place I started painting a few mind pictures of what could be done with it," Rod says.

Rod, who is a plumber, says the house had been shifted on to the site in about 1961 from Mangere to make way for development of Auckland International Airport.

In 1999 another transformation began when the Hansens extended the house to add a large lounge and master bedroom with ensuite. And, of course, the wrap-around verandah to give it that distinctive Aussie look.

In three-and-a half years the house received a top-to-bottom makeover, including being rewired, replumbed and entirely re-gibbed. The Hansens also replaced all the windows and added French doors to most of the rooms so they opened on to the verandah. Rod says the paint on the house "looked like it had been put on with a wire brush" so he had the existing rimu weatherboards replaned before repainting the exterior.

The old kitchen was ripped out and enlarged - in its place is gleaming modern kitchen cabinetry in a deep blue colour, which complements the polished wooden floorboards.

There were a few working bees with the Hansens' son and daughter helping out with painting and gibbing. And there were also a few celebrations as progress was made.

"We used to have good parties in here when there was no carpet down; we even had barbecues inside," says Dale.

Not that they'd entertain such ideas now that they have a beautiful paint finish inside in neutral colours - and some of the straightest walls ever seen in a villa.

"I spent weeks and weeks plastering in here," says Rod. "And if it wasn't right I'd rip the sheet of gib off and start all over again."

"Rod's a bit of a perfectionist," says Dale. "He'd much rather do things himself than have someone else do it and then feel like he had to do it again."

Dale says it'll be quite emotional to sell the house. "I have always wanted to have a family home for the kids ... and there's a strong community here," Dale says.

"I love walking around the gardens here - there's tui and wood pigeons in the trees and the fantails follow you around."

But like a lot of empty-nesters, the Hansens, who also have a Taupo property, want to downsize. Ominously, Rod says he wants to once more start looking at properties, "and paint these mind pictures".

Vital Statistics

SIZE: land 1591sq m, house 170sq m (approx).

PRICE: CV $445,000. Auction May 28.

INSPECT: Open home Sat/Sun 2pm-2.45pm

CONTACT: Paul Peach or Rex Gilbert, Harcourts, ph 838 0921, 0275 655 970 (Paul), 0274 766 395 (Rex).

FEATURES: Lovingly restored and recreated villa in Queenslander style in rural setting on a flat section with mature deciduous trees. Wide wrap-around verandah plus a large patio area with servery hatch from kitchen. Lined double garage with relaid concrete slab and driveway.