“Keirunga” (‘The Place on The Hill’) was built in 1906 by Mr Robert Holt for the sum of $1,000. The first occupants, Mr and Mrs Reginald Gardiner named the house “Stadacona”. All the timber, heart kauri and totara, and other building materials were dragged up a track, now Joll Road, by bullock dray.
Mr Charles Ord Tanner purchased the property in 1919 and he renamed it “Keirunga”. Mr George Nelson bought Keirunga in 1928 and lived there until his death, at the age of 93, in 1964. Mr Nelson was a man of immense achievement and far sightedness. He supervised the development of “Keirunga’s” 17 hectares of parkland and gardens. With the assistance of up to five gardeners, Mr Nelson carried out drainage work, path formations and rock work. He planted a huge variety of plants and shrubs, many of which he propagated himself.
© The Keirunga Gardens Arts & Crafts Society Inc. 2009. P.O. Box 8265, Havelock North 4157, New Zealand
Mr Nelson generously gifted “Keirunga” to the Havelock North Borough Council. For two years “Keirunga” was unused, but an enthusiastic group, led by Frank Bacon, approached the Council in 1966 with the suggestion that “Keirunga” be developed as a cultural centre.
The formation of the “Keirunga Gardens Society” in 1967 guided the restoration of the homestead and the establishment of the cultural centre complex. A new workshop was completed in 1976, followed in 1986 by the magnificent two story building for a pottery and artists' studio.
Together with the original “Keirunga Homestead” buildings, the new “Nelson Room”, “The Pottery” and the “Frank Bacon Studio”, have provided excellent working facilities in a beautiful environment, for the various groups and members of the Society.