A harbourside haven
Nature is right on the doorstep of this bach- turned- family home, as Donna McIntyre discovers
When Jenny Hemmings’ parents rang in 2003 to ask if she wanted to buy the family’s holiday home in Tairua, it was too tempting an offer to turn down. Jenny and her husband Mark were living in Melbourne, busy with corporate jobs and new twins, but also thinking about doing “the sea change” and returning to New Zealand.
“We were really looking for more land but decided it would be great to keep the bach in the family a bit longer.”
Jenny tells how her parents came to buy the 1.42ha: “In 1968 my parents had just had their sixth child and they were living in Kohimarama in Auckland and Mum decided to look for a bach in the Coromandel.
“Her brief was simple, she wanted no neighbours and plenty of space because we were quite rowdy and lively.
“Eventually Mum found this land on the harbour. Then in Kiwi style they moved a bungalow from Auckland and that became our bach for many years.”
Jenny’s mother set about establishing the garden which now includes a home orchard and potager garden. There’s also some bush, and a paddock for ponies or a few sheep.
When Jenny’s dentist dad semi- retired and bought the dental practice in Whangamata, the bach became the permanent home — as well as being a hub for extended family — until 2003 when the parents moved into town at Tairua and the home was sold to Jenny and Mark.
Moving two two- year- olds from Melbourne in 2004 to Tairua’s small community took some adjusting but not as much as the couple had anticipated. She says Tairua is a vibrant, kindhearted community.
“We were worried about things like schooling and missing out on opportunities. But we realised you don’t need to be sitting in a classroom in a big city to get a quality education,” says Jenny.
“The schools here are phenomenal and as well as the usual curriculum the kids do swimming, and surfing, sailing and kayaking as school sports.
“It is an idyllic place to raise a family and a lot of people are realising that — the school roll has doubled in the time we have been here.”
The Hemmings set up two businesses with a view that they could be based anywhere on the Coromandel.
Then four years ago, Jenny and Mark organised extensive renovations and extensions.
“We were going to knock down the original house but decided to keep it. It gives us a lot of spare room for family. It has also given it the potential to be run as a B& B, as the bedrooms have bathrooms,” she says.
The home’s position allows 360- degree views which take in the Coromandel ranges, the rural outlook and the harbour. The family enjoy watching the sun and the moon rise and the changing nature of the harbour. “It is incredible the way the light plays with the water and the different changing moods,” says Jenny.
“We have no neighbours and no chance of being built out. There is a lot of bird life, you can see the migratory birds gather. It is like you are really in touch with nature.”
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The original house is weatherboard; the contemporary extension in Rockcote and polished block was designed by a Sydney architect who is a friend of the couple. “It has beautiful bamboo floors and an open fireplace,” says Jenny.
“Everything is designed to bring the outdoors in and take advantage of the views. It is very relaxed, comfortable and warm.”
The family has decided to sell because they need more land for twins Zac and Bronte’s ( now 13) interests in showjumping and motocross.
“The bikes and the ponies don’t really mix in one small paddock,” says Jenny. “It is heartbreaking leaving this place but our original plan, way back, was to get more land anyway. We are off on a new adventure for our family and we are excited because we both ride horses and bikes, too.”