Hospital status latest change for villa

Daniel Baker, Cairnfield House owner, and Lesley Middleton, manager, outside the 110-year-old villa that housed the original rest home.Photo/John Stone

Since it was built in 1904, the large Whangarei villa known as Cairnfield House has gone through several changes, from private home to hospital.

The rest home housed in the old homestead that overlooked farms and gardens before the suburb known as Otangarei was developed has recently been been given hospital accreditation for the care of elderly residents.

That certification, and the upgrades needed to achieve it, was part of new owners Savita Bhana's and Daniel Baker's vision to provide residents with the choice of staying in their own home should they require a higher level of care.

Cairnfield House Rest Home and Hospital's name came from the ground it was built on, a cairn or stony field. The original home was built for the Jones family, and built by William Jones to his brother's design.

It is a double-gabled villa with a return veranda around three sides, complete with the balustrades and fretwork of the era. The refinements and style of the original house remain, like the imitation marble fireplaces still in place although not in use.

The house is still surrounded by native trees, wide lawns and gardens, including peach trees where a large orchard once stood.

It was converted into a rest home by Ross and Bea Haywood in 1988. Cairnfield House changed hands in 1996, after which director Peter Beric extended the facility by adding three large residential wings to the old house.

Ms Bhana and Mr Baker bought Cairnfield in 2012. They said they fell in love with the property immediately and were impressed with the warm, friendly atmosphere between the staff, residents and families.

Some core staff members have worked at Cairnfield House Rest Home for 15 to 20 years, with one original staffer witnessing the growth from private home to rest home to hospital.

Ms Bhana said two open days would be held in June - one for the public and potential clients to have a look at what the facility offered, and one for health and welfare professionals.