Soak up the sun and views
The summer of ’96 was a special one for Jack and Nancy Blake. That’s when the American couple — on their fourth visit to New Zealand — stayed for three nights at Ahipara’s Siesta Guest Lodge.
And, as Jack says, that stay began a “20-year love affair with New Zealand’s Far North in general and with the coastal village of Ahipara specifically”.
“Having subsequently retired, we returned two years later, spending six nights at Siesta and becoming fully exposed to the charm, attractiveness and excitement of the Far North,” Jack says.
“During our stay, we visited the magical Cape Reinga, walked on several mostly deserted beaches, met many warm and wonderful people — many of whom are friends to this day — and explored the nearby, and incredible, sand dunes of Tauroa Point.”
Jack says Siesta was operated as a high-end B&B since its construction in the late 80s and was in that mode when the Blakes bought it in 1998.
“It stayed in the hospitality trade for the next dozen or so years and we had local managers who lived nearby handle all guest business when we were not in residence,” says Jack.
“We typically would visit for up to six months each year. About five years ago, we scaled back on the B&B trade and totally exited about three years ago. If new owners wish to return Siesta to the hospitality world, not much more than a snap of the fingers would be required. It’s as ready as ever to welcome guests.”
After buying the property, the Blakes changed the approach to the lodge’s three-car garage.
“We created a circular driveway made of London Paver bricks, which takes the driver through a lockable gate and then round a small palm tree-laden island to the dwelling,” says Jack.
“That project also included the planting of many decorative shrubs, bushes, trees and other such flora. These improvements were also done with an eye toward creating a more private environment and now, for the most part, the large property is totally secluded from the outside world.”
However, the property still enjoys wide views from its hillside position — to the Tasman Sea below and to Shipwreck Bay and the Tauroa Peninsula to the south. It also has gorgeous views of Ninety Mile Beach and most of the Aupouri Peninsula. All five of Siesta’s bedrooms enjoy the views as do the living room, kitchen and the decks.
Jack says during the past several years they have modernised the kitchen, replacing all the appliances, updated the master bathroom and recarpeted the entire dwelling.
He says the two-storey Mediterranean style home is concrete and requires little maintenance.
It has a semi-open plan downstairs with tiled-floor formal and informal dining and living spaces that flow out to patios that step down to a large lawn.
The home is being sold fully furnished, including the piano in the main living area.
Upstairs, some of the bedrooms open out to a loggia with screens for privacy, and there are private owners’ quarters with two bedrooms and lounge upstairs that also opens out to a loggia.
Jack says he and Nancy have enjoyed the diversity of scenery and activities around the Far North.
“Golf is available at the Kaitaia Golf Club located only 1.5km from Siesta, as well as at the renowned Carrington Resort on the Karikari Peninsula,” says Jack. “And an adventure of a lifetime awaits at the nearby Tauroa Point sand dunes and adjoining Tanutanu
Beach, easily accessible by quad bikes. Tours and bike rentals are available in Ahipara. And nothing beats a drive up Ninety Mile Beach to Te Paki Stream, up the stream to the tarsealed roads and then on to the compelling Cape Reinga, noted both for its beauty and its history in the local Maori culture.”
But with the years marching on, the couple feel it is time to simplify their lives.
Jack says: “Now, as we approach our mid-seventies, and after having made 21 round-trip journeys between the USA and NZ, we decided to slow down a bit and close this exciting chapter in our lives.”