About The Event

This event is now SOLD OUT!
Back by popular demand!

Four beautiful historic Hawke’s Bay homes are opening their doors for our Third Autumn homes fundraising event for Keirunga.

This is a unique opportunity to experience the grandeur, gardens and history of four of our exceptional historic homesteads – Tauroa Station – Matangi Road,  Arden – Kopanga Road, Woodcroft – Simla Ave, Keirunga – Puflett Road and Okawa – Napier-Taihape Road.

The self drive trail presents local insights and homestead history from history buff John Vickers  including a delightful lunch provided by Pure Catering at The Keirunga Homestead.

About John Vickers

John is a fifth generation New Zealander with a lifetime interest in New Zealand Heritage.

A childhood spent in a large district homestead, and being familiar with all the other homes on the tour, gives John a broad knowledge of their history, design aspects and place in New Zealand’s development.

Restoring a “Chapman-Taylor Courtyard” house with his wife Sarah, as a home for their three children, Woodleigh reveals the interesting philosophy of the Arts and Craft movement.

His experience in Local Government, including a term as District Mayor, gives him further insight into the interesting Rangitikei District.

Details of each Homestead below:

Tauroa Station – Matangi Road

This property is part of Mason Chambers Tauroa property, in turn part of Te Mata, taken up by the Chambers family in the 1850’s. The current home was built by Dudley and Pauline Chambers (grandson of Mason Chambers) The farm is situated on the southern range of Te Mata Peak in a dramatic and beautiful landscape.

Arden – Kopanga Road

Designed by William Gummer and built in 1925 for Helen Chambers, daughter of Mason Chambers. She never lived there but leased it to her brother Maurice Chambers. Arden is one of four large country houses designed by Gummer in the Havelock North area over a period of twenty years from 1916.

Woodcroft – Simla Ave

Regarded as one of the masterpieces by Arts and Crafts architect James Walter Chapman-Taylor, ‘Woodcroft,’ crafted in 1921 for the Davidson family, stands proudly atop a knoll, offering a perfect blend of seclusion and scenic vistas. This two-story residence, showcasing a traditional English design with a steeply pitched tiled roof, has been impeccably preserved over the years. Remarkably, the layout of the home remains largely unaltered since its creation, showcasing the enduring elegance of Chapman-Taylor’s vision.

Keirunga – Puflett Road

“Keirunga” (‘The Place on The Hill’) was built in 1907 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.

Okawa – Napier – Taihape Road

This property has been owned by successive members of the Lowry family and well known for it’s successful horse stud. This well known property taken up in the 1850’s. The house was designed by Heathcote Helmore of Christchurch in 1950 replacing earlier buildings – the main block of which was designed by C.T. Natusch of Napier

Please call Liz for any queries or ticketing support on 027 858 4152