Parnell: Who bought that house?

40 St Georges Bay Road, Parnell.

Sold by: Jill Jackson, Barfoot & Thompson, ph 021 475 424.

It is probably no surprise that a local campaigner, who was elected to Auckland City Council on a platform of preserving heritage, has succumbed to the charms of an historic house in the heart of Parnell.

Richard Simpson and his wife Michele Comins had every intention of building a new house on a plot of land in nearby Tohunga Street. But they were cooling on the idea as they realised how much effort, time and money they would have to devote to the building project around their busy lives, 4-year-old son Digby, and Richard's council commitments.

"As it happens, we knew Roger and Dianne, the previous owners, and knew they had such a passion for this house," recalls Richard. "We thought they had a lovely home, with a very special history. So it was a bit of an impulse to buy at the last minute."

The couple are enchanted not only by the house (featured in Heraldhomes on October 29), its great sized rooms, lovely light and its secret gardens, but also by its history. Built in 1881 as the headmistress' house for an early girls school, Melmerly Collegiate (alumni included aviatrix Jean Batten), the home has attracted lovers of early Parnell history since it was rescued from its 1930s fit-out as flats.

The family, which is moving from its apartment in another historic building, the Dilworth Terraces, is looking forward to spreading out into the garden and for Digby to have lots of trees to climb. Michele admires Dianne's cottage-style garden, and has teamed up with a friend in Remuera to have a gardening session once a month: a chance to create, gossip and get dirt under their fingernails.

Both Richard and Michele love the sense of being connected to Parnell's past and look forward to settling into their home to protect and honour the heritage of their neighbourhood.