Treasured Mana Lodge on market

Lady Deborah Holmes, pictured at Mana Lodge in 2013 at Poukawa, near Hastings.

A Hawke's Bay "treasure" is on the market.

Mana Lodge, the home of the late Sir Paul Holmes and Lady Deborah Holmes, is expected to fetch a high price.

The 440sq m, six-bedroom, three-bathroom lodge in Poukawa Valley sits on 18ha. The couple were married there in 2003 and it was the site of Sir Paul's investiture, held two weeks before his death in February 2013.

Sir Paul called it his "treasure".

Lady Deborah said: "It has been a sanctuary for our family for 15 years but we feel it's time for another family to enjoy it, or an opportunity for someone to add value to the wonderful lifestyle accommodation and function business that we have created," she said.

Bayleys agent Vicki Wallace added: "Sir Paul described falling in love with Mana Lodge, saying it was a 'lovely little farm with a charisma all of its own'.

"The couple transformed the property. Sir Paul was an avid gardener and could regularly be found painting bridges and planning the grounds, while Lady Deborah made the interior design decisions."

The couple built a 40m pergola extending from the lodge conservatory into the gardens.

The lodge has an open-style country kitchen, a conservatory, casual living space and study overlooking the terrace and gardens.

The ground floor also has an entrance hall, several living areas - including a sitting room and formal lounge - and a large wine cellar.

The property also has a two-bedroom gatehouse with a sleep-out and en suite.

All Black Israel Dagg married his long-time girlfriend Daisy Aitken at Mana Lodge in December last year.

The listing comes as Nelson's Paratiho Lodge was put on the market with an asking price of $20 million.

The 15-year-old lodge has been owned by a British banking couple since 2009.