Historic Riverlea gardens property for sale

A lovingly restored 130-year-old historic villa with a long history in provincial rural New Zealand’s and set amidst one of the country’s foremost botanical showpiece gardens has been placed on the market for sale.

Restored villa set across 4.5 hectares

Known as Riverlea, the unique property on the northern suburban outskirts of New Plymouth features a 280-square metre four-bedroom/two-bathroom home which has been lovingly restored by avid professional gardeners Ann and Vince Naus who have spent years tending gardens on the 4.5-hecatre block.

Acclaimed gardens feature in Taranaki Garden Festival

Such are Ann and Vince’s gardening skills that Riverlea has regularly been one of the headline venues in the annual Taranaki Garden Festival which showcases the best homes and gardens in and around New Plymouth – and takes place from October 30 through to November 8 this year.

Located in the rural enclave of Paraite just north of New Plymouth, Riverlea is named after the small farming settlement of Riverlea in Southern Taranaki where Ann was born and raised.

Colonial villa restored and expanded over two decades

Ann and Vince Naus purchased the 4.5-hectare property in 2003. Their imposing single-storey villa had been moved onto the site some four years earlier, and while a new roof, plumbing and electrical wiring works were undertaken over the intervening period, the dwelling ultimately delivered the couple an enticing ‘blank canvas’ opportunity to expand and further enhance on the residence’s solid colonial ‘bones’ while remaining true to its colonial architectural character, influences and styles.

Over ensuing years, while simultaneously creating a rambling maze of stunning English manor style gardens, the couple also lovingly added a new kitchen to the homestead, along with a master bedroom with ensuite, office, and laundry, along with a substantial two-car garage with a loft at the top which was originally designed to feature Ann’s ‘woman cave’ hobby room but instead ended up being used as a bunk house for the grandchildren.

During the renovation expansions, Ann and Vince uncovered a faded newspaper from 1897 within the scrim filling behind the wallpaper – giving verification of the home’s heritage.

Riverlea offered for sale by negotiation

Now downsizing and taking on a new smaller lifestyle development project just five-minute’s drive down the road, ann and Vince have placed Riverlea colonial homestead and gardens at 367 Corbett Road on the market for sale by negotiation over $1,595,000 through Bayleys New Plymouth.

Bayleys salespeople Neale Parkinson and Rachel Williams said Riverlea was a special opportunity which would suit either buyers looking for a lifestyle block-sized property underpinned by an executive quality heritage home, or buyers looking for hectares of carefully curated show standard flora and shrub gardens along with an authentically renovated dwelling which paid homage to Taranaki’s rural history.

“The outstanding gardens and nursery amenities occupy about a third of Riverlea’s greater grounds, with much of the property perfectly suited for raising family livestock, or for a pony or two,” said Parkinson and Williams.

Heritage interiors retain colonial character

Reflecting the historical core of the Riverlea villa, ornate ceiling plaster fretwork and architraves adorn the home’s airy 18-metre long high-stud central hallway which leads from the front door with its leadlight panelling into the heart of the dwelling.

A substantial kitchen with large central island workbench makes for easy foodservice to the adjoining family dining room area before veering into an L-shaped nook-style living room with banquette seating under bay windows. The communal areas all feature natural polished timber flooring.

Full height sashed windows along the length of the home’s lounge and formal dining room open up onto the covered deck and in-built spa pool, before spreading out onto the lawn and mature gardens vista. A wood burner is used for heating the area in winter – with an ample supply of fire logs sourced from across Riverlea’s stock-grazed paddocks.

Subtropical gardens lead to Mangaoraka Stream

A stepped wooden walkway meanders off the back of the garden down into a sub-tropical palm plantation… ultimately ending in a secluded al-fresco dining timber-clad deck or relaxation spot sitting immediately beside the banks of the placid Mangaoraka Stream which provides a cooling swimming spot in summer.

With tui, wood pigeon and morepork heard in the trees above, Vince also confides that their secluded patch of the river is also home to multiple trout and some 10 freshwater eels – all regularly seen from the deck while sipping on a cold beer or glass of wine under the shade after a hard day’s work in the adjacent gardens.

Lifestyle grounds offer recreation and rural infrastructure

Meanwhile, what was once a grassed tennis court beside the home has been converted into a croquet lawn where numerous weddings have been hosted by the pair… but with the future option of the area containing a golf putting green, or a swimming pool and outdoor entertaining area.

Fertile soiled multi-tiered vegetable planter beds are just a short walk from the home – delivery near year-round domestic produce and crops. Sustaining Riverlea’s lifestyle block ambience is a variety of rural infrastructure buildings including a concrete-floored three-bay implement and gardening equipment storage shed four fenced poultry huts and shelters which all housed Vince’s prized chicken broods, and a domed hothouse with a net-covered seedling nursery. With a nod to eco’ efficiency, chicken by-product is utilised on a weekly basis to fertilise Riverleas’ vast garden network.

Paraite location near New Plymouth and the coast

The Victorian manor-like gravelled driveway leading to Riverlea homestead and expansive car parking and turning circle is flanked by mature plane and birch trees – adding to the property’s grandeur and elegance.

The northern New Plymouth suburb of Bell Block Beach is just a short drive from Riverlea, while the renown Coastal Walkway path gives convenient flat topography cycle access to New Plymouth’s central business district some eight kilometres to the south. New Plymouth was awarded the title of ‘Most Liveable City for populations between 75,000 – 150,000’ by the International Awards for Liveable Communities in 2021.