Nathan Homestead: A Heritage Site Kept Flourishing

Nathan Homestead in Manurewa has been part of the local landscape for a century. Built in 1925 by the Nathan family, the brick mansion was originally a private home surrounded by farmland. Over time, the property transitioned into a public space, becoming a popular community hub in South Auckland. Today, the Homestead and its 3.7 hectares of grounds host weddings, jazz festivals, workshops, and everyday activities like dog walking, playground visits, and family picnics.

Citycare Property plays a key role in keeping the Homestead and its surroundings in good condition. The team maintains the lawns, flowerbeds, bush tracks, playground, and hard surfaces, while building maintenance and cleaning ensure the Homestead itself is cared for. Area Manager Victoria Sutherland explains, “We look after Nathan Homestead Park, which is the area around the building, and our building maintenance team do all the work on the building itself as well. Our subcontractors do the cleaning, and our OSM team looks after the gardening, mowing, edging, hard surfaces, and the playground. There’s also a bit of bush in that area, so we maintain the tracks too.”

As a heritage site, Nathan Homestead requires planting that reflects its historic character. Beautiful and colourful perennials and flowering annuals are carefully chosen to keep the grounds vibrant and in harmony with the Homestead’s heritage. These displays not only enhance the site’s visual appeal but also honour its legacy as a place where history and community meet.

The Homestead was closed for two years while earthquake strengthening was carried out. During that time, the OSM grounds team continued to maintain the wider park. Once the building reopened, the focus shifted to restoring the gardens and grounds. Turf was resown, perennial and annual bedding displays replanted, pathways cleaned, and the surrounding areas brought back to life. The reopening coincided with the Homestead’s centenary celebration in November, which drew more than a thousand people.

Victoria says the redevelopment has helped bring more people into the space. “There used to be a café tucked away inside the building. Now it opens directly onto the gardens we redid, with seating that encourages visitors to enjoy the area. It’s awesome because it’s actually bringing people into that space and getting them to use it.”

Strong relationships have been key to keeping the Homestead at its best. Victoria works closely with the facilities manager, Vic Leilua, to make sure the grounds are ready for events. “I’ve just said to him, any problems, you get hold of me. And he does. If there’s something coming up that’s not on the events calendar, he flicks me an email or gives me a call. That way I can make sure the mowing’s done on time and everything looks as good as possible.”

Nathan Homestead has moved from being a family estate to a public treasure, and its story continues to unfold through the people who use it every day. With its heritage gardens, bush tracks, playgrounds, and historic building, it remains a place where history and community come together. Thanks to ongoing care and collaboration, the Homestead is well placed to serve future generations just as it has for the past hundred years.