Mansion House and Kawau Island Historic Reserve

Mansion House was the home of former Governor Sir George Grey and is situated on Kawau Island, now a historic reserve. Sir George Grey purchased the house and island in 1862 and spent the next 26 years developing his collection of exotic and native plants and animals. Among these were wallabies, zebra, kookaburras and monkeys.

The House is listed as a Category 1 Historic Place and is open to visitors, for a small entrance fee - adults $4, children $2. The gardens surrounding the house are also open to visitors and are currently being restored. The Mansion House jetty is thought to be the oldest remaining jetty in New Zealand.

Kawau Island is the site of one of New Zealand's earliest copper mines. You can also visit the original copper mine engine house and smelting house built in 1854.

For information on how to get to Kawau Island, contact the island's Visitor Information Centre, phone 09 9 422 8882 or email kawauislandfc@doc.govt.nz