Deans Cottage, New Zealand heritage building

Deans Cottage is a small timber house in Riccarton, Christchurch, built in late 1843 by carpenter Samuel Manson for the Deans brothers. Its framing, weatherboards and roof shingles are kahikatea from the neighbouring bush, while trusses, floorboards and wall lining are mataī; the fireplace chimney is cob. Inside are two bedrooms, a sitting room with the fireplace, and a storage loft.

The cottage was built in 1843 by builder Samuel Manson for brothers William and John Deans, Scottish settlers establishing themselves in Canterbury. Following William's death by drowning in 1851 and John's death from tuberculosis in 1854, the family relocated to the nearby Riccarton House, leaving this as the region's oldest surviving European building.

The cottage reflects the Scottish heritage of its first inhabitants through its plain, functional design and modest furnishings. The simple layout and surrounding gardens show how settler families organized their daily life in the 1800s.

The cottage opens Sunday through Friday from 10 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon, while the gardens and surrounding bush grounds remain accessible daily from early morning until around 8:30 in the evening. The site is easily explored on foot along peaceful walking paths, and the simple layout and modest setting make for an unhurried visit.

The cottage stands on its third site: it was moved about 170 metres by traction engine in 1947, then shifted again in 1970 to its present spot between Riccarton House and Riccarton Bush. Its framing, weatherboards and roof shingles are kahikatea, while trusses, floorboards and wall lining are mataī.