NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Property

Escape to your own private universe

By Louise Richardson
NZ Herald·
13 Jun, 2014 05:00 PM3 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

57 Ngataringa Road, Devonport. Photo / Ted Baghurst

57 Ngataringa Road, Devonport. Photo / Ted Baghurst

57 NGATARINGA RD, DEVONPORT
3
1
1
SIZE: Land 1163sq m, house 120sq m.
PRICE INDICATION: In excess of CV $800,000.
INSPECT: Sat, Sun 12pm-12.45pm. Auction June 26.
ON THE WEB: bayleys.co.nz/1470036
SCHOOL ZONES: Takapuna Grammar, Belmont Intermediate.
CONTACT: Prue de Bie, ph 021 521 242.

For former corporate high-fliers Jacqui Dillon, and her partner Jude Mannion, the long-established Auckland seaside suburb of Devonport proved to be the ideal place for changing down a gear, or two. Nowadays both work for not-for-profit health and community organisations and they are bringing their son, Joseph (6), up in the sort of laidback, beachy environment many Kiwi families can only dream of.

In less than four years they've turned a humble 1960s weatherboard bach-like house on an enormous 1163sq m sloping section into an enchanting Balinese-inspired oasis. The air is alive with birdsong, water laps lazily at the bottom of the garden and kayaks lie, ready for action, while the sun beats down on a picturesque back deck that has seen its fair share of family fun and celebrations.

"It's a piece of Piha in the city," declares Jacqui, looking around fondly.

The scratches on Jacqui's arms and hands are testament to her gardening skills. It is she who is responsible for the impressive stand of banana palms, which are still fruiting long after summer's end. Exotic plants such as bromeliads and bird of paradise are complemented by practical raised vegetable beds and fruit trees, some as old as the property itself.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Jacqui and Jude have deliberately not gutted and modernised the house, preferring to restore and preserve the distinctive character features in keeping with its age and style.

It's a decision that has served them well, as personality is evident at every turn -- from the sunny and surprisingly spacious bedrooms, the beautiful, bright bathroom, where a contemporary shower and toilet sit alongside the original Shanks pedestal basin, to the kitchen with its rimu cupboards and benchtops, flanked by a spacious dining space and French doors to the deck.

The floors are rimu, too, and Jacqui points out the interesting half-round fireplace in the living room, declaring it to be one of her favourite features.

"I've always really loved the shape of it, and it puts out good warmth, too. We do have gas heating but the fire is often all we need in winter."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

While the house has suited a family of three well, Jacqui and Jude had always considered extending it and there is plenty of scope to do so at the rear.

In addition, there is a sizeable basement with potential to be converted and incorporated with the house above. At present it houses the laundry, with original tubs and a tiled shower.

"I can tell you it's a godsend when Joseph comes rushing up from the water with sandy feet," she laughs.

57 Ngataringa Road, Devonport. Photo / Ted Baghurst
57 Ngataringa Road, Devonport. Photo / Ted Baghurst
57 Ngataringa Road, Devonport. Photo / Ted Baghurst
57 Ngataringa Road, Devonport. Photo / Ted Baghurst
57 Ngataringa Road, Devonport. Photo / Ted Baghurst
57 Ngataringa Road, Devonport. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Image 1 of 6: 57 Ngataringa Road, Devonport. Photo / Ted Baghurst

Jacqui, Jude and Joseph are off to try out apartment life in the restored Devonport Power Station building, a little closer to the centre of town. They will miss their current home, with its friendly local community, the neighbourhood Christmas parties and the bonfires they've enjoyed on the beach with friends, while fireworks dance in the sky above the harbour.

"We've really loved it here," says Jacqui, her mixed emotions evident. "It's very special indeed."

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Property

Property

NZ’s UFO house for sale - Starship Enterprise meets Bond villain lair

11 Jul 03:30 AM
Property

Legal hook means buyers risk losing thousands on Kāinga Ora homes

10 Jul 11:23 PM
Property

Ryman sales down, Summerset sales at record levels

10 Jul 11:14 PM

Audi offers a sporty spin on city driving with the A3 Sportback and S3 Sportback

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Property

NZ’s UFO house for sale - Starship Enterprise meets Bond villain lair

NZ’s UFO house for sale - Starship Enterprise meets Bond villain lair

11 Jul 03:30 AM

The unusual-looking property boasts out-of-this-world views and interior design.

Legal hook means buyers risk losing thousands on Kāinga Ora homes

Legal hook means buyers risk losing thousands on Kāinga Ora homes

10 Jul 11:23 PM
Ryman sales down, Summerset sales at record levels

Ryman sales down, Summerset sales at record levels

10 Jul 11:14 PM
Fashion power couple selling their multi-million dollar art villa

Fashion power couple selling their multi-million dollar art villa

10 Jul 08:51 PM
Gold demand soars amid global turmoil
sponsored

Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP