Mansion linked to Grey up for sale

Governor Sir George Grey bought the entire Rakino Island in 1862 and built the mansion that is now for sale for $1.95 million. Photo / Gabriel Braly

A 150-year-old mansion hidden on a remote island is all yours for a little under $2 million.

The $1.95m home is privately nestled on 4.4ha of land on the southern coast of Rakino Island, 20km from Auckland.

The three-bedroom homestead is complemented by a wooden four-bedroom cottage and a church, which was relocated from Hikurangi to save it from demolition.

"It's being used as a playroom now," co-owner Jonathan Ferrier said.

Three original smaller buildings, used for smoking fish, drying meat and milking cows, dot the 150m stretch of waterfront.

Ferrier, who bought the property with his four siblings from an uncle five years ago, said the property was a perfect escape from modern society.

With no electricity, his family have had to get creative when it came to entertaining guests.

"It's going back to basics, that's what I'm going to miss most," he said.

In 1862, Governor Sir George Grey bought the entire island and began building the mansion on the coast of Home Bay. Ten years later he sold the property for less than $2000 and the new owners leased it out to Auckland fisherman Albert Sanford.

Sanford built the fish smoking shed, which remains today, and started selling snapper from the waters of his front yard.

Baileys agent Pat Regan said it's still a pleasant spot for fishing as rolling hills surround the property protecting it from wind.