New Zealand’s mountain parrot, the kea, would be in
heaven if Garry Smith’s mobile home parked in their alpine environment.
It’s a kea’s dream - shiny with lots of novel, metal bits. And just like Garry,
this home on wheels is unique and full of character.
“That’s Garry. Spelt with two ‘r’s, like Larry, Barry
and Harry – not one ‘r’ like Mary.” Which was how Garry introduced himself to
me. It was the first of many interesting snippets of information he shared
during our conversation.
I first saw Garry’s house-truck parked at Mapua
Leisure Park over Labour Weekend. Like many people, I couldn’t help but be
drawn to this extraordinary home on wheels. Although, not huge its quirkiness
draws people to it.
An assortment of hand tools hanging along one side of
the truck was the first thing I noticed. The other side has an exterior
kitchen. Two old fashioned, metal radiators hang on the outer walls attracting
heat to warm water. The roof too, is intriguing with what looks to be a garden
springing into life. Garry has added a charming addition to the outside table
and chairs, he uses children’s gumboots as footings.
Garry was born and raised in Motueka. His secondary
education was at Nelson Boys College and after college he gained an auto electrical
apprenticeship. In his twenties he married, bought a house and became the proud
father of three children.
After his marriage ended, Garry wanted to be mortgage
free. “The Latin meaning of ‘Mort’ is ‘death’” Garry informed me. “I didn’t
want to spend my life being tied to a mortgage”.
During a trip to Australia, Garry happened to come
across an elderly couple that had traveled across the Northern Territory in a
six-wheeled motorhome.
This sparked a longing in Garry to sell his home,
move to Australia and purchase an off-road motorhome equipped to roam the
Northern Territory. As eager as Garry was to pursue this new adventure he was
torn between moving to another country and being away from his children.
After many discussions with his mother, Garry realised
he couldn’t leave his family. Instead he focused his energy on creating a home
to roam around New Zealand. Being a ‘Jack of all trades’, Garry put his skills
and knowledge to use. Using several Internationals he created his new home.
Garry’s 300 horsepower, Ford V8, International Harvester
house-truck has a 1967 chassis as the base and a 1964 chassis to support the
second level. The bonnet of the truck comes from a 1967 International.
It’s been a labour of love. Over the last 10 years
Garry has imagined, designed, wielded and created this home on wheels he proudly
calls ‘Hoam’.
‘Hoam’ is lined with sheep’s wool for insulation. A modest
wood burner assists with warmth during cooler months. It’s also used for
cooking if the weather impedes using the alfresco kitchen.
Some fresh produce for meals comes from a potted
garden that sits on Hoam’s roof. Chives, mint, lettuce, spinach, silver-beet
and broccoli are a few vegetables that have been grown on the roof top garden.
To access the garden, Garry opens a hatch on the
ceiling above his bed. During warm, summer nights Garry often leaves the hatch
open and drifts to sleep with a view of the stars above.
And speaking of views – when I was given the grand
tour of ‘Hoam’, the view from the lounge/kitchen, farmed by stable-like shutters, opened
out to a panoramic view over Ruby Bay. With a slight stretch of my arm I’m sure
I could have touched the jewel-blue, waves rolling in to shore.
With a million dollar view, an accompaniment of
native bird song and the murmuring of waves, it is little wonder Garry adores his
lifestyle.
‘The only thing to beat it would be to explore the
outback of Australia and be amongst the wildlife’. It’s a dream that Garry
hopes one day will come true.
