Historic 1867 New Zealand Estate Finds Loving Caretakers

Valerie Ryan knew she'd found something special the moment she drove up the tree-lined driveway in Whanganui. The historic estate, built in 1867 by settler William Young from kauri, rimu, and tōtara timber, had been home to five generations of the same family.

"We couldn't believe, when we saw it, that we would be able to own such a wonderful house as this," Ryan says. That was eight years ago, and the love affair with Fernielea hasn't dimmed.

The six-bedroom colonial Gothic home came with a responsibility the couple took seriously. Instead of major renovations, they focused on gentle updates like heat pumps and a kitchen refresh while exposing the original wooden floors hidden beneath old carpets.

Ryan's favorite room is the library, where original wooden doors and windows remain unpainted, offering a window into the home's 19th-century past. The living room's yellow and white color scheme captures sunlight that travels across the house from sunrise to sunset, bathing the kitchen in rose-colored light each evening.

Outside, the gardens have become Ryan's sanctuary. Maples, magnolias, tulip trees, and a giant ginkgo create what she describes as therapeutic forest bathing, complete with two ponds and small bridges discovered as they've gently cleared overgrown areas.

Each season brings new beauty: spring daffodils and tulips lining the drive, camellias and rhododendrons in summer, and brilliant autumn colors from the maples and ginkgos. More than a dozen doves call the woodland home, living in harmony with the human residents.

The couple even uncovered hidden treasures during their tenure, including stone steps buried in the woodland and a tennis court surrounded by hedging. They've hosted countless tennis gatherings there, including teaching their grandson the sport.

Sunny's Take

What makes this story shine is how the Ryans viewed themselves not as owners but as temporary caretakers of history. They updated what needed updating while honoring what came before, proving that old homes don't need dramatic makeovers to thrive. Their decision to move closer to family comes with genuine sadness, but they're leaving Fernielea better than they found it, ready for the next generation of loving stewards.

Now, as they prepare to put family first and move closer to loved ones, they're passing this piece of New Zealand heritage to its next caretakers.