Kawau and Auckland Water Taxis - Articles

CAPTAINS LOG

The Mansion House Story

The story began in 1862 when Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand purchased Kawau Island. He paid 3,700 pounds and set about creating the estate of his dreams. By 1876, with the help of a leading architect of the day, Frederick Thatcher, Grey had transformed the 20 yr old house, formerly occupied by the manager of the Island’s copper mine, into an imposing mansion. Sparing no expense, he added 20 more rooms to the original 10. He imported exotic plants and animals from all over the world and developed the island into a gentleman’s estate.

George Grey sold Kawau in 1888 and Mansion House had a succession of owners. It became a guest house in 1910 – a role it was to continue for a further 67 years. On a single day Mansion House catered for 1100 visitors. A large boarding house was built next door but it later burnt down. Several additions were made to the house during this time as extra accommodation. By 1950 the structure of Mansion House had been considerably altered, and it fell into a state of disrepair for some time. In 1967 the last private owner, Mr A.E. Horsfall, who had made considerable repairs sold his property, including Mansion House, to the Government for inclusion in the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park. Mansion House was then leased to Dominion Breweries, who operated it as a hotel until they surrendered the lease in 1977. The Department of Lands & Survey prepared a working plan for the whole island with the specific goal to preserve and enhance the historical character of the island thus the restoration of Mansion House began. This took two years to complete, with generous gifts and loans enabling restoration to its’ former glory, including furnishing it in the appropriate style.

Mansion House Bay is no longer a jumble of buildings, but is clearly dominated by Grey’s former home. One hope’s Sir George Grey would approve of the restoration and preservation of his home – a mansion on an island in a maritime park, readily available for the public to visit and enjoy a link with New Zealand’s history.

Wreck of the Rewa
The steel Barque ‘Rewa’ which was sunk off Moturekareka Island near Kawau to form a breakwater around the year 1930 was at 3000 ton the biggest four mastered barque afloat in her day. Her famous master Captain Bob Kennedy figured in many sea memories as he sailed the Pacific transporting wool in her to England. The Rewa was bought by Charlie Hansen of Moturekareka to act as breakwater across his bay and to serve as a floating boatel for his many sailing friends. The vessel was fully equipped with everything on board right down to the table napkins.

When the vessel was taken to the island she was intended to lie with her bow towards the shore, but the ship keeled over and settled on a ledge where she has remained since with her hull intact from approx the waterline down, her masts now long gone.