The vendor has refurbished the home since she bought it – including recladding, giving it a fresh paint and adding a garden and insulation – and is selling the quaint property as she wants a new project.
It was built for the Fitzgerald family and in its early years was associated with Thomas Henry Fitzgerald, who was the first Superintendent of the Hawke’s Bay province, and his wife Jessie.
Fitzgerald was prominent in the development of Ahuriri in the 1850s.
“The Fitzgeralds owned the land surrounding the cottage’s section, and may have run their sheep on the property,” a Heritage NZ spokesman told Hawke’s Bay Today when it was last sold.
Inside the cosy cottage. Photo / Sotheby's
It was likely used as a shepherd’s cottage, hence its name.
The home is also referred to as Fitzgerald’s Cottage in historic council documents.
The heritage-listed home has a Category II rating with Heritage NZ, which means it has historical or cultural significance and a buyer is unlikely to be able to make any significant additions.
The home is being marketed by Sotheby’s International Hawke’s Bay real estate agent Nicky Berry.
The property is being taken to tender with a closing date of February 25, unless sold prior. An asking price has not been disclosed.
Gary Hamilton-Irvine is a Hawke’s Bay-based reporter who covers a range of news topics including business, councils, breaking news and cyclone recovery. He formerly worked at News Corp Australia.
