Gisborne: By Ellie Martel

The gracious, 1912 homestead tucked between the Taruheru River and the Botanical Gardens in Gisborne languished for years under creepers, vines, shrubs and trees. Most people never guessed at the hidden beauty. You just couldn't see it. Some did not even know a house was in there.

"A lot of people think it's actually been moved here," says renovator Wayne Tautau.

"People who live just across the footbridge, and who commute on foot to the city, say they never realised there was a place like this under all the shrubbery."

He lives next door and bought the old home last year, planning on opening a cafe there. It is only five minutes' walk from the centre of town, and five steps from the Botanical Gardens.

"You could see the river from one small window pane. That was all."

Now, the house is filled with sun, and both lounges have magnificent views of the river. The Western side looks out over the park.

The house, in all its glory, has been unveiled.

"We've opened up a new chapter for it."

He and his wife Evelyn have put in some very hard work. But they knew what was underneath and they had faith. They dug out the bamboo, ripped out sagging old sheds and the decayed and crumbling swimming pool, chainsawed the gum, and had Phoenix palms strangled with ivy dragged out. "They must have been planted a long time ago. There is one over in the botanical gardens which is 70 feet high, and one of ours was that height."

The Tautaus re-plumbed and re-roofed, painted the house and put in new curtains. But they kept striking features, such as leadlighting and the wide, original kauri front door, which has panels of old, frosted glass patterned with bamboo.

As they worked, the true extent of their new property dawned on them and they changed their mind about the cafe. They wondered about moving in themselves, but decided it was too big. Instead, they would let someone else live there. Maybe someone with a big family, to fill the six bedrooms and two lounges and use the playground nearby in the Botanical Gardens. Or maybe someone who wants to start a bed and breakfast.

They rented out some of the rooms over summer, and had excellent feedback from overseas visitors.

"It has good vibes. It gives you a real warmth. The last people we had in there were from Finland, and they said they could feel the same thing."

With their experience as renovators, Wayne and Evelyn have left some things for the new owner's taste, like the naked timber floors which are kauri and rimu.

They also decided not to rebuild the ancient garage they pulled down, but have left two options in their fencing plan.

At 1236sq m, it is one of the largest residential sections in the centre of town. "We didn't realise until we removed the shrubbery just how big it was. What makes it look big is the open space to the river and the park. It's so spacious, even though it's the centre of the city."

Wayne Tautau has set the old beauty back up on its feet. Now it is someone else's turn to take the house forward, past its centenary.

Vital Statistics

SIZE: Land 1236sq m, house 242sq m.

PRICE INDICATION: Expressions of interest above mid-$400,000s, by June 24.

INSPECT: By appointment.

CONTACT: Monica Tautau, Ray White Royal Oak, ph 09 625 9008 bus, 027 525 5086 mob.

FEATURES: Gracious, two-storeyed 1912 home with river and park views, five minutes' walk from Gisborne CBD, fire and gas-heated, sun-filled, possible residence, bed and breakfast or cafe. Teak, colonial-style furniture included.