KAYLA & SHAUN’S NZ BOLTHOLE
Johnson’s new deal
Fallen Warrior Shaun Johnson has a bolthole north of Auckland — the perfect place to lick his wounds after a devastating week brought an abrupt end to the million dollar man’s eight year stint with the league club.
Spy understands Johnson bought the Mangawhai Heads bach a few years back for one season’s pay at the Warriors. This year he and fiancé Silver Fern, Kayla
Cullen have gone into overdrive with major renovations throughout winter to get their slice of paradise ready for Christmas.
Hawaii and Bali seem to have inspired the couple, who have created a relaxed beach culture style, off-set by a large cream sofa in the lounge, flowing into a large dining and bar stool kitchen area. There’s a ping-pong table in the garage for the sporting couple and numerous bedrooms.
Cullen and Johnson have tracked the renovation on a special Instagram page called @thehousebythebay.
It shows a central courtyard, which the house wraps around. A new lawn was recently laid, and teak feature walls are juxtaposed against the main white-washed weatherboards. There is outdoor dining for eight on a deck in the courtyard.
The biggest addition is a pool on the other side of the lounge from the courtyard.
An average bach at Mangawhai Heads costs $860,000, and we reckon the do-up may have doubled that value.
In May, 28-year-old Johnson proposed to 26-year-old Cullen in Mangawhai, celebrating with family and friends and it’s been their family that has helped keep the work on the bach at pace.
Johnson posted to social media on Wednesday: “No hate, all love as always.”
His future is unclear as he will hunt out another club, but with a wedding to plan for Spy bets the bach will be a much needed getaway this summer.