Te Kiteroa Targeting Certification

History
The original Te Kiteroa Homestead was built by Emily Phillips in 1913. Emily’s story is a fascinating one—born in London, she married James Phillips, who was from New Zealand. Together, they voyaged to Nelson to embark on a new life. The marriage was short-lived, and Emily moved on to become the lifelong housekeeper of the successful businessman, Allan McLean. Allan established the extensive Waikākahi Estate and, in his retirement, built the 53-room ‘McLean Mansion’ in Christchurch. At the time of his death in 1907, Allan was one of the world’s wealthiest men. He provided Emily with wealth for life, enabling her to (at the age of 76) build Te Kiteroa Homestead plus two cottages for her chauffeur and gardener. She named the homestead Te Kiteroa, meaning “the long view.” Known as the “grand lady on the hill,” Emily resided in her 598m2 homestead until her death in 1921. Between 1945 and 1978, Te Kiteroa was owned by the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers, providing a place of refuge for farmers’ wives and operating a “relief housekeeper” scheme. Innovation is a recurring theme throughout the history of Te Kiteroa. Find out more at tekiteroalodge.co.nz

Recent years
Te Kiteroa Lodge was purchased by Gary and Ann Dennison in 1991. They expanded the hosted guest lodge accommodation to include a vineyard, winery, and restaurant known as Point Bush Estates. Te Kiteroa was a widely-recognised iconic historic homestead, hosting an array of weddings, events and retreats. In 2019, the Dennisons established a predator-fenced 95-hectare ecosanctuary adjacent to Te Kiteroa Lodge, featuring native bush with popular recreational walking and mountain bike tracks. In May 2021, Te Kiteroa sadly succumbed to a devastating fire and was unable to be saved. Gary and Ann were able to reside in one of the cottages, but the loss of their beloved lodge was heartbreaking, a feeling that was shared among many locals.

The future
The new Te Kiteroa Eco Lodge will be a 512sqm eHaus Euro, targeting passive house certification. It will comprise two adjoining but separate wings, together totalling seven bedrooms, each with private bathrooms. The two open-plan kitchen and living areas will be east-facing to the coastline and sunrise. The tranquil setting with stunning views and starry night skies is a legacy that lives on. The eHaus energy-efficiency model aligns well with Gary and Ann’s passion for sustainability and conservation. Te Kiteroa will be one of New Zealand’s healthiest, comfiest, and highest-performing homes. It will have triple glazed windows, be airtight, and require very little energy to heat. Gary and Ann believe this future-focused project is one that their predecessor, Emily Phillips, would wholly approve of.