Since 1887, the beautiful Henley House in Kaukapakapa has stood proudly on its site - a sweeping corner before the village - witness to the many changes and encroaching subdivisions. Built for Maurice Henley, the three-storeyed house became the family home for three generations. Having arrived in New Zealand from England in 1862 with two of his brothers, Maurice settled in Kaukapakapa. An educated man, with an MA from Wesley College, he was able to speak four languages and had a large collection of books - the forerunner to the Kaukapakapa Library.
After marrying Eliza Chaplin, the couple had four children, although sadly daughter Eliza died, aged 16. They went on to donate some of their land for a public hall, and also for the building of the Methodist Church, now known as ‘All Saints’, providing a significant part of the nucleus of the Kaukapakapa Village.
Owned until 1974 by subsequent Henley generations, others were fortunate to call ‘Henley House‘ home including the Fletchers, the Fairbrothers and latterly the Harland family, who took possession in 1999. Significant improvements have been made over time whilst retaining the fundamental properties of what the late Yvonne Harland described aptly as a ‘magical house.’ It is a fully restored, kauri-built, monument to early Colonialism, with a Heritage New Zealand ‘Historic Place Category 2’ listing.
Fast forward from its creation 136 years ago to 29th January 2023, to the storm before Gabrielle, the storm that had no weather warnings. Hitting Kaukapakapa as a weather bomb, it flooded not only Henley House, but the Fire Station, the Hall and the Library, the last three had been moved above anticipated flood levels in 1998. Only 200mm of flood water went through the ground floor of Henley House and dealt to the carpet, but she had seen a lot of life and shrugged it off and simply dried out her kauri heart.
So many lives and property values changed in the aftermath of both this storm and cyclone Gabrielle. The ongoing impact will have ramifications for many years and sadly Henley House has succumbed to the new precautionary way in which we now live - trapped within a cycle of heritage value versus Council liability obligations. ‘White stickered’ yet still a liveable property and surveyed as Category 3 ‘Optional buyout’, the reality is there is only one way forward for the owner. Faced with a Council record of potential flood damage and any future sale or insurance value being compromised, the only option is to walk away.
The Te Awaroa Museum, Helensville, is making enquiries with the Auckland Council, through the Local Board, towards relocating the heart of Kaukapakapa to the Museum grounds in Helensville. To lose such an important part of West Rodney’s history is an irreversible outcome and whilst a huge ask of very limited resources, it seems a failure of duty to not make every effort. It will be the coup of the century to pull this off, but if ‘you don’t ask, you don’t get’. Any thoughts, or significant lotto wins, please contact the Te Awaroa Museum - info@museum.teawaroa.nz (09)4207881 98 Mill Road, Helensville.
