History

The earliest part of Mansion House was built between 1845 and 1847 as the residence of the Historic mansion house, Kawau island. Photo: DOC.superintendent of the Kawau copper industry, one of New Zealand’s earliest mining and industrial ventures.

The house was enlarged and remodelled by Sir George Grey, one of New Zealand’s most influential and controversial political figures, who developed Kawau as his island home between 1862 and 1888.

Mansion House was acquired by the Crown in 1967 as part of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park. Between 1977-1980 much was done to return the house and grounds to their former appearance, after many years of neglect and inappropriate modification.

Mansion House Gardens

Sir George Grey was an enthusiastic collector of plants and animals from around the world, communicating ideas with notable scientists like Charles Darwin and exchanging plants with an international network of botanists and plant collectors. The Italianate gardens developed by Grey were the focus for his experiments with the acclimatisation of plants, particularly those of potential economic value. Plant material from Kawau was distributed throughout the country.

Historic Significance

Mansion House has been registered as a Category 1 Historic Place. The property has additional significance because the dwelling has been preserved along with its original setting, and the jetty built for Grey in 1875. The jetty, thought to be the oldest in New Zealand, has been proposed for Category 1 registration. Many original elements of Grey’s gardens remain, including a notable collection of trees and shrubs.

Historic Conservation

Conservation plans for Mansion House and the jetty identify remedial work needed to arrest causes of deterioration. The work has been prioritised and is progressively being implemented. Where possible, the house is being returned to its appearance at about 1890, soon after Sir George Grey sold the island.

A similar plan is being prepared for the gardens. Restoration of the gardens represents a significant opportunity to enhance the experience of visitors.

Mansion House Today

Mansion House and the gardens are part of the Kawau Island Historic Reserve, the largest of several reserves administered by the Department of Conservation on Kawau.

The house has been furnished with a valuable collection of antique furnishings, largely donated or loaned to the department, and operates

As a house museum open to the public. It has become a very popular destination for overseas and local visitors, one which charterers should not miss.

Try our ‘Waiheke Wine Trail’

Some of New Zealand’s best red wines come from Waiheke where ideal growing conditions with hot dry summers and poor but free draining soils combine with the skills of experienced vintners to produce world acclaimed vintages.

Goldwater Estate, the first vineyard planted on Waiheke Island in 1979 is a superb example. Enjoy a short walk through the vineyard to the knoll and share the magnificent view of Putiki Bay with the sheep enjoying the shade under the Pohutukawa Tree

Goldwater Estate Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot has won many awards. They also produce an excellent Marlborough Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from grapes in that region.

Once early morning commuters have dashed off to the city on the fast ferries, ‘Island Time’ rules and the place has a holiday atmosphere. The main settlement of Oneroa is at the western end, and picturesque coves and inlets extend along the north coast to Palm Beach and Onetangi. Inland areas offer a rural retreat with around 30 wineries nestling in lush valleys.

Waiheke Island enjoys an exclusive microclimate due to its relatively sheltered position in the Gulf. It is sunnier and warmer than Auckland City and is drier during the critical grape ripening period. In the last 20 years it has become fashionable to focus on the production of high quality red wines in the Bordeaux style. This has been a huge success and Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc varieties are rivaling the quality of top Hawke’s Bay products.

A number of Waiheke wineries are open to visitors by private arrangement, or through conducted mini-bus tours, which can be arranged at the excellent visitor centre in the Artworks complex in Oneroa. The island also attracts artistic folk and their work is exhibited in many galleries and craft shops.

Rubaiyat in a number of important areas:

· “Navman” Depth Sounder and Speed Log

· Maxwell Anchor Winch

· Furlex Genoa Furler

· Mainsail Replaced

· Hot Water Califont Replaced

· Upgraded Solar Panels

· Outdoor BBQ on pushpit

· New CD/Radio with MP3

Over the years in the charter business we have heard of charter crew who experience problems in fresh winds whilst furling headsails and retrieving anchors. We have therefore ‘over-sized’ the Anchor Winch and Genoa Furler in an endeavour to overcome this problem – in fact our Anchor Winch is suitable for a 45’ yacht!

Te Kouma Harbour

Te Kouma Harbour on the western-side of Coromandel, is a sheltered gem of a spot to spend a few days, nestled as it is under the Coromandel Ranges.

The harbour itself is almost a kilometre long, and has several bays on both its southern and northern shoreline providing wonderfully sheltered anchorages in all wind directions

One of the enjoyable features of many harbours and bays of the Hauraki Gulf is that the scenery is not spoiled by dwellings or other buildings so that you gain the feeling of ‘getting back to nature’ as it originally was. Te Kouma Harbour is similar, in that there are no buildings whatsoever, only secluded coves for peaceful anchoring.

Not too far away though, is the quaint township of Coromandel, originally formed as a gold mining settlement in early settler days of 1880. Today, Coromandel has transformed itself into an arts and crafts centre, and is well worth a visit from your yacht, providing you watch the tide! Coromandel Harbour is large, however very shallow in its inner reaches near the town wharf, and care must be exercised as to the state of the tide, also where in the harbour you decide to anchor.

Te Kouma and Coromandel Harbours are around 5-6 hours sailing from our Gulf Harbour base in a reasonable Sou-Westerly breeze and are very enjoyable destinations for charters of 4-days or longer in duration.