Puketiro

15 Cockayne Road, Khandallah, Wellington
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Image: Charles Collins, 2015

Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015

Image: Charles Collins, 2015

Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 201

Cityview GIS 2013
Cityview GIS 2013
Map

  • Constructed

    c.1896 - 1896

  • Architect(s)

    Frederick de Jersey Clere

  • Builder(s)

    Unknown

  • Puketiro is an unusual example of Frederick de Jersey Clere’s domestic design, and is an example of early California Bungalow design. The verandah and original detailing strongly add to the aesthetic values of the house. 

    This house is primarily associated with its first owner, for whom it was built, Josephus H. Richardson. It is also associated with its architect Frederick de Jersey Clere and is one of few remaining homes in Wellington designed by Clere. 

    The house is no longer as visible as it once was, so has only modest townscape values. Subdivision has encroached strongly on the house and it suffers from shading from boundary trees and houses on the eastern side. The long driveway, large front lawn, and terraced garden contribute greatly to the sense of place around Puketiro.

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  • close History

    • The house at 15 Cockayne Road, known as Puketiro, is an unusual example of Frederick de Jersey Clere’s domestic architecture influenced by Californian Bungalow design.  

      The house is sited on land that was subdivided from the original 200 acre farm blocks in the Kaiwarra area around Porirua by Annie White, who sold this site to Josephus

      H. Richardson in 1893. Richardson commissioned Frederick de Jersey Clere to design the house that at the time occupied part of a 3.5 acrorner section bounded on the east by Old Porirua Road (now Nicholson Road) and on the north by Porirua Road (now Cockayne Road). Richardson had been born in Nelson in 1865, the son of one of the early settlers. In 1874 he entered the NZ Government Life Insurance Office as a cadet. Clere designed the new building for Government Insurance in 1893, and it is likely this is the reason that Richardson hired him to design the homestead. The site also included a tennis court and large garden where a number of garden parties were held. 

      The Richardson family lived in the homestead for some time making few changes. The 3.5 acre block originally had a number of pine trees, which were sold as firewood in 1926 when Richardson was preparing to subdivide the property.  

      Following the death of Josephus H. Richardson in 1932 the land was further subdivided; the sections along Cockayne and Nicholson Roads were cut off, leaving the house on the back section and accessed by a long driveway. The house remained in family ownership until the death of Emily Richardson in 1952, when it was sold to Henry G.R. Mason – a member of parliament. The house underwent some alteration in 1952 with the kitchen becoming the bathroom and pantry, the study becoming the kitchen, and the garage and driveway were upgraded. The house was also rewired, reroofed, and repainted. Mason further subdivided the property by selling off the tennis court in 1959. 

      In 1959 Mason sold the property to Anthony and Kerry Ellis who made a number of additions, including the construction of a double garage, swimming pool, shed and sauna, and a new carport. The house was then sold in 1989 to Mr and Mrs Mackay, who almost immediately on-sold the property to Gordon and Denise McGregor. It appears that the McGregor’s then placed ownership of the house with Crocus Blue Limited (directed by Gordon and Denise McGregor). The house was repiled in 1991 and alterations were carried out in 1995. In 1996 the house was sold to the Spencer’s, who only remained in the home for two years before selling to C. Dillon and M. Wells. In 2001 the owners carried out a number of additions and alterations including reconstructing the garage with a new workshop, mezzanine, potting shed, and adding a glasshouse. They also carried out some internal alterations to the house in 2002 constructing a new kitchen away from the centre of the house and making alterations to the family room. 

      Dillon and Wells are no longer the owners of ‘Puketiro’, having sold the house some time after 2007. The current owners (as of 2013) have not made any additions or alterations requiring a permit. 

      ‘Puketiro’ stands as a significant home in Khandallah that contributes substantially to the architectural character and integrity of the suburb. Subdivisions and alterations carried out since its construction have had some impact upon the house, but it retains use values, as well as authenticity of design, materials, and workmanship.

    • Modifications close
      • 1896
      • Original building construction
      • 1952
      • 15 Cockayne Road, dwelling alterations (00056:440:B33502)
      • 1968
      • 15 Cockayne Road, dwelling additions and double garage (00058:561:C26742)
      • 1974
      • 15 Cockayne Road, swimming pool (00058:917:C40554)
      • 1977
      • 15 Cockayne Road, change shed and sauna (00058:1126:C48675)
      • 1977
      • 15 Cockayne Road, carport (00058:1126:C48681)
      • 1991
      • 15 Cockayne Road, repile (00040:11:E682540)
      • 1995
      • 15 Cockayne Road, dwelling alterations (00061:128:14180)
      • 2001
      • 15 Cockayne Road, reconstruction of garage with new workshop, mezzanine, potting shed and glasshouse (00078:1020:83065)
      • 2002
      • 15 Cockayne Road, new kitchen, laundry, family room and extension to level 2 mezzanine (00078:2714:89024)
      • 2003
      • 15 Cockayne Road, re-seal driveway, addition of new strip drain between footpath and drive (00078:1042:98997)
    • Occupation History close
      • unknown
      • Not Assessed
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close
      The prevailing style of this house is the California Bungalow, with Clere’s ecclesiastical experience influencing the design of the interiors. The house has a low pitched roof, shingles in the gable ends and timber lined ceilings that follow the roof slope. The house is oriented to best capture the sun rather than toward the street, and has a T hallway rather than the more traditional central hall.
    • Materials close
      Rimu

      Matai flooring

      Totara weatherboards

      Corrugated steel roofing
    • Setting close
       Sited at the top of a hill, and set back from the street frontage, the setting of Puketiro is not as dominant as it once was. For many years it remained the only house on the hill top 3 acre section, which was bounded by two roads and a stream. Subsequent subdivision has encroached strongly on the house, and it suffers on the west and east sides from shading from boundary trees and houses on the eastern side. The long driveway, large front lawn, and terraced garden give the house an attractive setting that helps to frame the large and spectacular verandah.
  • close Cultural Value
    Puketiro is an unusual example of Frederick de Jersey Clere’s domestic design, and is an example of early California Bungalow design. The verandah and original detailing strongly add to the aesthetic values of the house.

    This house is primarily associated with its first owner, for whom it was built, Josephus H. Richardson. It is also associated with its architect Frederick de Jersey Clere and is one of few remaining homes in Wellington designed by Clere.

    The house is no longer as visible as it once was, so has only modest townscape values. Subdivision has encroached strongly on the house and it suffers from shading from boundary trees and houses on the eastern side. The long driveway, large front lawn, and terraced garden contribute greatly to the sense of place around Puketiro.

    • Aesthetic Value close

      • Townscape

        Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

        The house is no longer as visible as it once was, so has only modest townscape values. Subdivision has encroached strongly on the house and it suffers from shading from boundary trees and houses on the eastern side. The long driveway, large front lawn, and terraced garden contribute greatly to the sense of place around Puketiro.

      • Architectural

        Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

        Puketiro is an unusual example of Frederick de Jersey Clere’s domestic design, and is an example of early California Bungalow design. The verandah and original detailing strongly add to the aesthetic values of the house.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

        Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

        This house is primarily associated with its first owner, for whom it was built, Josephus H. Richardson. It is also associated with its architect Frederick de Jersey Clere and is one of few remaining homes in Wellington.

      • Association

        Is the item associated with an important historic event, theme, pattern, phase, or activity?

        The house is built on land subdivided from the original 200 acre farm blocks in the Kaiwarra area around Porirua. It is associated with the subdivision and development of Khandallah as a suburb, and more generally the development of Wellington.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

      • Technological

        Does the item have technological value for its innovative or important construction methods or use of materials?

        There is some technical interest in the high degree of skill and attention to detail present in this house, particularly the front façade and the timber detailing in the hall.

    • Social Value close

      Not assessed

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Rare

        Is the item rare, unique, unusual, seminal, influential, or outstanding?

        This house is a now rare example of Frederick de Jersey Clere’s domestic architecture in Wellington.

      • Authentic

        Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

        This house has been through a number of alterations but retains significant materials from the time of its construction. Modifications have had few negative affects upon the heritage value of the house.

      • Importance

        Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

        This is a locally significant residence due to its historical associations, its architectural quality, its technical interest, and its authenticity.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      21/58

    • Legal Description

      Lot 1 DP 18185 and Lot 3 DP 18185

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      2/Historic Place 1418

    • Archaeological Site

      Pre 1900 Building

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Outside Earthquake Prone Policy

  • close Additional Information
    • Sources close
      • Clere, Frederick de Jersey (1856–1952) in the Encyclopaedia of New Zealand
      • Historic Places Trust. “Fredrick de Jersey Clere”. Professional Biographies. Accessed January 29, 2013,
      • Williams, Kate. ‘Puketiro House, 15 Cockayne Road – Khandallah’. Unpublished conservation plan, prepared for David Kernohan (for university paper arch273). September 2007
      • Archives: 1952 15 Cockayne Road, dwelling alterations (00056:440:B33502)
      • Archives: 1968 15 Cockayne Road, dwelling additions and double garage (00058:561:C26742)
      • Archives: 1974 15 Cockayne Road, swimming pool (00058:917:C40554)
      • Archives: 1977 15 Cockayne Road, change shed and sauna (00058:1126:C48675)
      • Archives: 1977 15 Cockayne Road, carport (00058:1126:C48681)
      • Archives: 1991 15 Cockayne Road, repile (00040:11:E682540)
      • Archives: 1995 15 Cockayne Road, dwelling alterations (00061:128:14180)
      • Archives: 2001 15 Cockayne Road, reconstruction of garage with new workshop, mezzanine, potting shed and glasshouse (00078:1020:83065)
      • Archives: 2002 15 Cockayne Road, new kitchen, laundry, family room and extension to level 2 mezzanine (00078:2714:89024)
      • Archives: 2003 15 Cockayne Road, re-seal driveway, addition of new strip drain between footpath and drive (00078:1042:98997)
    • Technical Documentation close
    • Footnotes close

      Not available

Last updated: 11/7/2016 3:48:58 AM