Mark your calendars for Saturday 22 November, from 10.30am to 3pm, for a free family festival day at Nathan Homestead Pukepuke. The Manurewa Local Board funded event will feature live entertainment, food and market stalls, with plenty of activities for the whole family. It’s a great chance for locals to come together, enjoy the restored homestead, and celebrate this special milestone in the heart of Manurewa.
Nathan Homestead is re-opening its doors on Monday 13 October, welcoming the community back after a major restoration led by Auckland Council and Manurewa Local Board. The much-loved heritage site has been carefully preserved, with new improvements making it safer and more accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Key upgrades included fire safety improvements, seismic strengthening, asbestos removal, plus interior and exterior refurbishment, ensuring the space is safe, welcoming, and fit for purpose.
Accessibility and heritage
A major focus for the Manurewa Local Board was improving accessibility, including the installation of a new lift so all community members can access the upper level of the homestead.
Local Board Chair Matt Winiata is excited to see the facility used by everyone in the community.
“The installation of the new lift is a significant step towards making this important community space accessible to everyone. Ensuring people with mobility challenges, older adults and families with prams can fully participate in the activities, workshops and events safely and comfortably,” he says.
Supporting local activities
Nathan Homestead has long been a hub for arts and culture with local groups using the space for meetings and workshops, creating opportunities for learning, creativity, and social interaction. Venue hire for community gatherings and celebrations further strengthens its role as a central, practical space for the Manurewa community.
Brewing opportunity
Earlier this year a tender was opened to find new café operators for Nathan Homestead. The café will open alongside the restored homestead, timed to coincide with the homes 100th year anniversary in November. With around 80,000 visitors recorded in 2024, the re-opening of the café will enhance the visitor experience by providing a place to enjoy brunch in the homesteads green park setting.
Preserving the past, inspiring the future
Nathan Homestead has been part of the Manurewa story for more than a century. First built in 1910 as the Nathan family’s summer home, it was rebuilt in 1925 after a fire and later gifted to the community in 1961. Since then, it’s been everything from council offices to a cultural hub, and today it continues to be a place where history and community come together.
“The re-opening of Nathan Homestead marks an exciting new era while preserving its heritage, we are thrilled to see this facility used by the Manurewa community for another 100 years,” says Matt Winiata.
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