Oruawharo Homestead
| Oruawharo Homestead | |
|---|---|
Oruawharo Homestead | |
| General information | |
| Type | Homestead |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Location | Oruawharo Station |
| Address | 379 Oruawhara Road, Takapau |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Completed | 1879 |
| Affiliation | Johnston family, Sisters of the Presentation |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Charles Tringham |
| Website | |
| oruawharo | |
| Designated | 4 April 1983 |
| Reference no. | 1048 |
The Oruawharo Homestead is an historic Italianate homestead in the Takapau Plains, New Zealand. The homestead was designed by Charles Tringham for John Johnston, a wealthy upper-class landowner, who wanted a magnificent home for his newly-wed son, Sydney.
During the First World War the station housed a Territorial Army Camp, with officers housed in the homestead. A riot broke out at the camp, although it was swiftly put down. The Oruawharo station remained in family ownership, until the death of an heir led to the property eventually being gifted to the Catholic Church, who used the property to train nuns and house the Sisters of the Presentation. The Catholic Church eventually returned the property to the administrators of the estate who leased the property until eventually selling it in 2000. Following the sale the property was restored and it serves as a function centre and tourist attraction.
The property is registered as a category 1 building with Heritage New Zealand.