Pah Homestead

Pah Homestead is a manor house in Puketāpapa featuring Italianate design elements including a formal entrance portico, wide verandahs, and a four-level arcaded tower within Monte Cecilia Park. Inside, the restored rooms display original door joinery, decorative ceiling roses, parquet flooring, and marble fireplaces throughout.

Built between 1877 and 1879 by designer Thomas Mahoney for businessman James Williamson, the structure was modeled after Queen Victoria's Osborne House. This reflected wealthy families' aspirations to bring European elegance to the colonies of the southern hemisphere.

The Wallace Arts Trust runs regular exhibitions inside the building, displaying local and international artworks that change throughout the year. This active art program shapes how visitors experience the space and brings the community together around contemporary creativity.

The site sits in Monte Cecilia Park in Hillsborough and is easily accessible, making it convenient for a casual visit. Plan to spend an hour or two exploring the manor and the surrounding park grounds at a relaxed pace.

The surrounding Monte Cecilia Park holds a collection of rare exotic trees planted around the grounds, bringing botanical diversity from distant regions. Views from various points in the park extend toward Manukau Harbour and One Tree Hill on the horizon.

Location: Puketāpapa

GPS coordinates: -36.91429,174.76306

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:41