Stunning 165-year-old Te Mata House on the market after huge restoration – Stuff.co.nz

There are not many homes in New Zealand that are 165 years old, and even fewer colonial mansions.

Te Mata House outside Havelock North is one of them it was built in 1854by a family of landowners who gifted Te Mata Peak to the people of New Zealand.

And it was the first homestead built in Hawkes Bay, so, history-wise,it sits right alongside other historical homesteads, such as Highwic House and Alberton in Auckland built in 1862 and 1863 respectively. Although neither of those two have been the subjects of the huge modernisation project Te Mata House has undergone.

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Picture perfect - stately Te Mata House in Havelock North was the first homestead to be built in Hawke's Bay. It has been extensively refurbished over three years and is now on the market.

The current owners have spared no expense in the three-year modernisation and refurbishment programme, and have now decided to sell the property.

READ MORE* Devonport villa has glorious past* Devonport landmark restored to splendour* Who bought that Athfield house in Havelock North?

Salesperson Fiona Mackenzie of Bayleys Havelock North saysthe vendor's "labour-of-love"restoration project has"reborn" the 533-square metre home to look even more stately now than when it was first built.

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The gardens, designed by leading Australian landscaper Paul Bangay, include citrus groves, lavender beds and numerous water features.

And it was pioneering farmerJohn Chambers who emigrated from England with his wife, who commissioned the house. Chambersestablished one of New Zealand's biggest pioneering farm dynasties atits zenith, Te Mata House was the homestead for a rural empire that stretched some 7284 hectares from Napier in the north to the Ruataniwha Plains in the south, complete with the landmark Te Mata Peak mountain range at its back doorstep.

Thefarm block was so expansive that Te Mata House was used as an overnight stopping point for travellers. John Chambers is recorded as importing one of the province's first horse-drawn carts and, was a key figure in growing the frozen meat trade in Hawke's Bay. His sons John, Bernard, and Mason gifted Te Mata Peak to the people of New Zealand through a trust.

Today thehome is surrounded by meticulously landscaped lawns, several hundred metres of limestone walls and steps, and hedgerow-bordered gardendesigned by Australian landscaper Paul Bangay. The gardensincludebeds of lavender, citrus groves, and numerous flowing water features all overlooking rows of grapevines on neighbouring Te Mata Estate winery.

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The current owners have respected the original character in the renovation, but added contemporary furniture and amenities in keeping with modern lifestyles.

"Inside, the home now has the style and sophistication to match and even exceed any renovation standard you would see anywhere in New Zealand," says Mackenzie.

Updates includea remote-controlled sound system with speakers discreetly positioned throughout the entire property, the latest ventilation, security and heating technology.

In addition to its spacious entertaining areas on the ground floor, the main house has four double bedrooms on the upper level, all with ensuites.

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Designed to cater to a crowd, the large kitchens opens right up to the pool area.

Other key features include asolid-block room with original iron shutters over the window. The buildingonce doubledas Havelock North's bank, and as a "safe room"for the Chambers family.

Theoriginal school house remains on the property.John Chambers had the thisbuilt for his children to be taught privately as there were no schools in the district. It'snow a children's art house.

The farm's original animal stables and barn have been remodelled into an underground whisky cellar complete with a designer studio apartment flat above.

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Modern formal dining is a little different from 165 years ago, the original floorboards remain.

There's even a state-of-the-art, three-levelchildren's treehouseand adventure playground complex, complete with a fireman's pole, rope net ladder, flying fox, and swing bridges.

Other buildings include a detached two-bedroom cottage for guests or a staff residence with full-size living room, kitchen, bathroom, and private courtyard. There is an18-metre in-ground swimming pool with spa, and a cabana featuring a gymnasium and lounge room with bar facilities.

Equestrian enthusiasts are well catered for as well, with a60m x 20m equestrian dressage arena with lime sand andsprinkler irrigation, and a horse stabling complex consisting of two stalls, a tack room, feed room, and a separate kitchen with laundry.

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This appealing whiskey cellar, with apartment above, is in the original stables building.

"You simply can't replicate history on this magnitude especially when compounded by the former bank vault, the classroom, and even the original fire-escape trap door on the upper balcony, which accesses a steel-rung ladder below," Mackenzie says.

The property,at 337 Te Mata Road, is on two titles and covers 2.2ha. It is for sale by tender through Bayleys Havelock North, with tenders closing on February 11, 2020.

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Each of the four bedrooms on the upper floor has an ensuite bathroom.

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All bedrooms, including this children's room, are spacious with lovely views.

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There's even a cute treehouse and adventure playground for the children.

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Outbuildings include a children's art house (formerly the schoolhouse), a two-bedroom cottage for guests or staff, and a new stables complex.

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Stunning 165-year-old Te Mata House on the market after huge restoration - Stuff.co.nz