A GAME OF TWO HALVES

In part one of a two-part series, we meet a former All Black who's tackling his first home renovation in stages

- Text Jane Binsley Photography Babiche Martens

What do you do when you love your home and its neighbourhood, but it's not big enough for you, your partner and your two growing sons – let alone the friends and whānau that you plan to host for your fast-approaching wedding? For former All Black blindside flanker Liam Messam and his then-fiancee Monique Corbett, the solution has been a two-stage renovation and extension of the three-bedroom Hamilton East character bungalow they share with his sons, 15-year-old Jai and nine-year-old Bodie.

"The renovation came about from having to have whānau sleep on the couch whenever they came to stay," says Liam, who now works as an athlete development coach for the Chiefs. "We had outgrown the house, but we didn't want to move because it's in such a good location, close to the boys' school, a good shopping centre and Hamilton Gardens."

The Chiefs' home ground, FMG Stadium, is only a short drive away, as is Waikato Hospital, where Monique works as a clinical psychologist.

The couple decided to renovate and extend the existing 132sqm house, adding a new garage at the front of the 850sqm section and repurposing the old garage at the rear of the property as a two-bedroom guest suite.

"We've both got big families and we like to host people, but it's hard when you've got a three-bedroom home and everyone has to sleep marae-style," says Liam. "It'll be nice to have an extra space ready for when our families come and stay."