Havelock North: If walls could talk

The large, modern kitchen in the new family area opens through a wall of french doors to the garden. The vast dining room easily fits a table for 20. The two-storey villa has stunning views of the surrounding vineyards. One of the most beautiful properties in the area, Te Mata House nestles in fabulous grounds. 

This once derelict old dame from a bygone era has been brought back to life to share its delightful living spaces once more. By VICKI HOLDER. 

Once the only home between Napier and Waipawa in Hawkes Bay, Te Mata House holds in its heart more history than any other house in Havelock North. A few years ago, the two-storey villa that sits among the vineyards a few minutes from the village was in serious danger of slipping through the cracks of time. Fortunately, while the Clephane family from Auckland was touring the countryside in their campervan in the summer of 2000, they decided to call in on the Te Mata Winery next door. 

In the mood to explore, they ventured a little further and saw the imposing home had a 'for sale' sign on the gate. Carol and Richard Clephane must have been in a buoyant mood. For although the house was derelict, it was love at first sight. There was something about its rich past that appealed and the opportunity to leave behind the fast pace of living in the big city for an exceptional location. 

During an intense four-year restoration, the Clephanes have since embraced the history of the home wholeheartedly. They discovered the original home was built in 1854 by John and Margaret Chambers, the first non-Maori residents in Hawkes Bay. The couple kept adding on to cope with their expanding family. 

The home was once part of a 75,000ha farm, which accommodated a small village of servants and farm workers. Being near the river, it was also a hub of hospitality. Church services were held in the house before the first church was built in the area and a solid concrete room with steel shutters was the first bank. In the garden, designed by Alfred Buxton, a little shed leads below the ground to the oldest private wine cellar in the country. It was in the early days that a visiting French woman pointed out that the land would be great for grapes. Bernard Chambers, who took over the house and farm, planted the Te Mata Vineyard with root stock imported from France. Today, vineyards fan out in all directions. 

A team of tradesmen came every day to work on the home while Carol, Richard and their children endured the lengthy restoration process, living in to stretch the budget as far as it would go. 

It was a huge undertaking and often chaotic. The house was re-piled, re-gibbed and re-roofed. Timber floors were polyurethaned with a dark stain, giving a pleasing contrast to the soft grey walls, which have been filled with wool. Radiators were added in various rooms to make it warm for those chilly Hawkes Bay winters. 

The home now has a clean, contemporary feel, yet modern luxuries have been skilfully incorporated without detracting from its traditional character. 

The Clephanes didn't use an architect, for they sought only to match the existing workmanship. Apart from the large, modern kitchen in the new family area, the addition is very sympathetic. Basking in sun, it opens through a wall of french doors to the garden. A black basalt island bench reaches through the middle where family and friends can gather while Richard, more often than not, does the cooking. A quieter-than-usual extractor above the hob has been installed to ensure conversation is not disturbed. 

The original kitchen was removed to make way for a grand guest bathroom and laundry, which are handy but out of the way. 

Now the Clephanes can look out from the family area to the lounge and vineyards with the Napier hills in the distance. But in this rambling home, they are spoilt for places to sit and relax. Like the lounge, the adults' den is huge and opens north to the broad veranda along the front of the house. 

The dining room is positively vast, easily fitting a table for 20. It opens to another large room, once an art gallery that showcased local art and the history of Te Mata House. Upstairs, five bedrooms are accompanied by luxurious en suites. 

One of the most beautiful properties in the area, Te Mata House is a tribute to the vision of its owners who feel proud to have rescued something so significant. With the smell of Coleraines fermenting next door, a family can walk to the summer markets, winery, restaurants and a river brimming with trout. It's a short drive to pristine beaches and the charming village of Havelock North. For those contemplating a lifestyle away from the cities, what could be more enticing? 

Vital Statistics 

ADDRESS: Te Mata House, Te Mata Rd, Havelock North, Hawkes Bay. 

FEATURES: Grand, historic, restored Chambers homestead; original lounges and sitting rooms; grand formal dining room; new kitchen in family addition; radiator heating and log fires; five bedrooms; two en suites and family bathroom (with original Art Deco bath); oldest private wine cellar in New Zealand; swimming pool and pool house; huge original garage with B&B possibilities; horse paddock; views over vineyards to Napier hills; close to village, Hastings, Napier, beaches and wineries. 

SIZE: Land area 14ha. 

PRICE: Offers over $3.5 million. 

AGENT: Nicki Plowman, Bayleys, Havelock North. Ph 06 872 9310 bus; 021 241 7888 mob.