Matanaka Farm

The Matanaka farm to 1840 applied to the coast Waikouaiti 's, was on the Western model and ideas the first farm in Otago on the South Island of New Zealand. The remaining until today building on the farm land are considered the oldest surviving farm buildings in New Zealand. For this reason, the farm on 11 December 2009 has been adopted as worthy of protection place in category I by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

Building ensemble

It is believed that the farm was built around 1840. The still existing farm outbuildings have been used towards differently over time, and also shifted to some extent. Following buildings are still on the farm:

• The school building, originally built in 1840 as the first building as a barn, was established in 1852 as a school and later moved to the place where it is still located today.
• The toilet, running 3-seater, was once located next to the house and is since 1976 in addition to the school building as an attachment.
• A granary is now next to the schoolhouse.
• A horse barn, situated some 10 meters away from the school building.
• A small camp house is next to the stables.

The entire ensemble was restored in 1977 on behalf of the Ministry of Work and made accessible as a museum to the public. A granary that was canceled shortly after 1975 and a dovecote, which was burned down in 1935, were never rebuilt.

History

The system of the farm goes back to the Australian whalers and businessman John Jones, of a bankrupt businessman from Sydney took over in 1838 a whaling station and land in Waikouaiti and 1840 families in Sydney convinced in Waikouaiti to settle. The first settlers arrived in April 1840. Jones continued the first organized settlement on the South Island by western immigrants in transition. It is believed that already existed in 1841 some farm buildings for the farm workers in the vicinity of the farm. Jones himself moved with his family, but was initially interested in whaling. After the whaling promised no good shops more, Jones concentrated to about 1850 on the farm economy, becoming the caterer of the settlement and later also for the Dunedin was founded in 1848, which was a few kilometers to the south.

1854 left Jones with his family, the farm and moved to Dunedin. His son William took over after the Matanaka farm until it also drew him into the prosperous Dunedin. In 1871 the farm at McLeod Orbell, the first mayor of the settlement Hawksbury, let. 1878 joined the farm owner, and should be sold three more times until her last owner, Monty Ericson gave away the farm Matanaka 1976 the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

The Matanaka farm now belongs to the city of Dunedin.