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Kā Kōrero o Waikirikiri Selwyn Stories

Otahuna Lodge

Description

NameOtahuna LodgeDescriptionIt’s a stunning sight to enter the gates of Otahuna Lodge during September when millions of daffodils are in full bloom across the paddock.

As spectacular today as it was when a garden enthusiast visited the estate in September 1899.

'Nothing so beautiful has before been seen in New Zealand, as this way of treating the narcissus, though it is a favourite method in the South of England. Mr Rhodes is so well satisfied with the result of this experiment that he intends to go in even more extensively for the paddock planting.'

Otahuna was built by Sir Heaton Rhodes in 1895 as a wedding present for his wife Jessie and reflects the style and scale of noble English country estates.

Heaton Rhodes was a passionate horticulturist, serving as president of the Canterbury Horticultural Society for more than 50 years. His gardeners bred their own varieties of prize-winning daffodils, and Heaton and Jessie would often help them pollinate the flowers by hand.

During the first half of the 20th century, Otahuna had the largest daffodil fields in the country. Surplus bulbs were donated to the city of Christchurch forming the nucleus of the daffodil gardens in Hagley Park.

Sir Heaton was also a long-term parliamentarian, military officer, and stockbreeder and keen horticulturist whose contributions are integral to the history of Canterbury. Otahuna would remain his home for more than 60 years until he passed away at the age of 95.

Otahuna means “little hill among the hills”, and appropriately the homestead is built on a spur of the Port Hills in Tai Tapu. From the balcony, you have spectacular views of the garden and across the plains to the Southern Alps.

The homestead is considered one of the best examples of unspoiled Queen Anne architecture in Australasia. Praised for its irregular shape, romantic rooflines, extensive use of New Zealand timber, and elaborate architectural detail, Otahuna is now protected by a Category One listing from the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

In 2006, Hall Cannon and Miles Refo bought Otahuna and, after an extensive refurbishment, they opened it as a private luxury lodge amid 30-acres of grounds. Food comes largely from the kitchen gardens and from the food bowl that is Canterbury. The homestead also produces its own honey, cider and mushrooms.

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