Rawhiti House - A Mayor's Legacy Since Early 1910s
71 Tiverton Street & 18 Auskerry Street
Perched proudly above Tiverton Street, one of Palmerston's earliest formed streets, Rawhiti House stands as a rare and remarkable piece of local history. Built in the early 1900s for one of Palmerston Borough's Mayors, Mr William Hopkins, and lovingly retained within the same family ever since. This grand residence has watched generations come and go while preserving the craftsmanship and character of a bygone era.
Named "Rawhiti" meaning "sunrise" or "east" reflecting the home's perfect position, elevated above the township and nestled in the heart of East Otago. From the moment you walk up the garden path and arrive beneath the ornate veranda, there is an undeniable sense that this is somewhere special. Step inside and be transported to an age when homes were designed with artistry and pride. A breathtaking entrance hall showcases original stained-glass windows and doors, intricate decorative wall panelling, rich timber joinery and soaring ceilings. Throughout the home, beautifully preserved period details reveal themselves at every turn, from pressed ceilings and lattice work to handcrafted features that simply cannot be replicated today.
An impressive feature, the circa-1910 fireplace with an ornate timber overmantel, decorative cast-iron insert, detailed ceramic tile panel depicting a rural farmstead with birds and floral surrounds. Rich in character and craftsmanship, a standout from the early NZ Edwardian design. Offering four bedrooms, a separate kitchen, generous living spaces and a sunroom bathed in natural light, the large family home sits across two titles, including 18 Auskerry Street, and provides a canvas of extraordinary potential. With bonus features of a large garage, sheds, outhouse, and off-street parking. There could also be potential to build a second dwelling.
Properties of this calibre rarely become available. A sympathetic restoration will unlock the full grandeur of this remarkable residence. This is more than a home, it is an opportunity to become the next custodian of an important piece of Palmerston's history. For those with vision and appreciation for heritage architecture, Rawhiti House offers the chance to restore an iconic residence and create a legacy for generations to come.
Sold "as is where is" as a deceased estate (Is insured and fully rewired)
