A Boutique Hotel & Event Centre in the Manawatu is for sale.

A Boutique Hotel and Event Centre in the Manawatu is for sale.

This historic Boutique Hotel which was built in 1896 for the Honourable W.W. Johnston M.P. is situated on 36 acres of manicured gardens and native forest.

The Manor House was built in 1896 and invites one to experience the serenity and privacy of a world of civilized grace and old English charm and is only 10 minutes away from the city of Palmerston North. The Manor is New Zealands third largest home.

From 1923 to the 1990's the Marist Fathers used it as a Novitiate and working farm. Under new ownership in 2008 full restoration of the interior was completed by August 2009 and and the Jewel of the Manawatu is once again welcoming guests.

The Manor welcomes guests for hotel stays, business conferences, corporate meetings, wedding ceremonies and receptions, workshop retreats, and social events. If guests are looking for that ideal Boutique getaway, Function activity or venue for a Conference or Wedding Ceremony and Reception, the Estate is proving to be the ideal place to be.

Weddings at the Manor Estate include

    * A Chapel or Garden ceremony
    * Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions up to 200 with garden marquee
    * Wedding Receptions and interior buffet for up to 90 guests
    * Afternoon Garden Tea Parties
    * Champagne toasts
    * Intimate Dinner for up to 12 guests in the Gold Room
    * Exclusive use of the Manors wonderful accommodation facilities.
    * Sunday Brunch with interior or verandah dining
    * Bridal Showers

Corporate retreats at the Manor Estate include

    * Several different meeting spaces
    * A variety of breakout rooms
    * Peace and tranquility
    * Vast spacious grounds
    * Team building and team development activities
    * Latest technology in electronic equipment
    * Luncheons, Morning & afternoon teas
    * Coffee, tea & juices throughout the day
    * Pre-dinner cocktails and hors d'oeuvres
    * Gourmet dinners
    * Full hot breakfast
    * Boutique accommodation
    * Preferred room rates

Other events at the Manor Estate

The Estate is well known for and offers the facilities to make Anniversaries, Family Reunions, Fundraisers, Awards Dinners, Retirement Parties or Holiday Events unforgettable. The Manor comfortably accommodates up to 90 guests for buffet dinners or cocktail events and provides lodging for up to 54 guests. The acres of lawns, gardens and verandahs allow for additional party options.

Accommodation at the Manor Estate

Guest rooms at the Manor Estate - Boutique Hotel and Event Centre provide for luxury and boutique accommodation facilities where one is able to be pampered with the best from a bygone era while providing todays amenities in relaxed and elegant surroundings.

Stroll through the lawns and gardens, picnic beside the pond, walk through the native forest or relax with a cold drink or a cup of tea in the grand drawing room. Enjoy breakfast in the formal turn-of-the century dining room, or on the verandah, overlooking the rose gardens.

All the rooms have been designed to allow you to sample the elegance of the past, yet they contain the necessities of the present. All Manor bedrooms are located on the first floor and are equipped with:

    * Central heating
    * Broadband internet
    * Guest bathrobes
    * Clock radios and hair dryers
    * The finest bedding and linens
    * Private bathrooms                                                                                                                                                           

The Rooms at Manor estate

There are 11 bedroom suites in the Manor House, 7 are ensuited and sleep up to 30 guests.

THE ROYAL SUITE

                                                                                                                                                           The Royal Suite is located off the central foyer, this is the original master bedroom and the grandest in the Manor. It features a turret room and double-access to a wrap-around verandah with commanding views over the rose garden. The Room is splendidly and grandly furnished with a beautiful super king-size bedroom suite and spacious seating area, and complemented by a lovely period en-suite bathroom.

THE WISTERIA SUITE

The Wisteria Suite Located off the central foyer, this comprises a very spacious main bedroom with a super king-size bedroom suite and an additional smaller room with a beautiful brass queen bed. This Suite is one of the original bedrooms, has a beautiful en-suite bathroom, and opens on to the verandah. The Suite has beautiful native matai floors and is grandly furnished with period furnishings, artwork, and rugs.

THE CAMELLIA SUITE
Located off the central foyer, this consists of two separate spacious bedrooms, each of which enjoys verandah access with majestic views overlooking the rose gardens, and furnished with one super king bed and one king bed. These two rooms have their own en-suite bathroom

THE WATERLILY ROOM

Located off the central foyer, this room has lovely views overlooking the front gardens. It has a beautiful queen-size bedroom suite and period furnishings and includes a lovely en-suite bathroom.

THE ROSE ROOM

This is a very romantic Victorian room with beautiful rose wallpaper and a super king-size bedroom suite and its own en-suite bathroom.

THE IRIS ROOM

This is another romantic Victorian colonial-style bedroom with a super king-size bed, and includes a lovely en-suite bathroom.

THE BLUEBELL SUITE

This comprises two inter-connecting rooms with lovely views over the front gardens. One room has a super king-size bedroom suite; the other one has two single beds. It features a lovely en-suite bathroom. Perfect for a family. 

THE DAHLIA ROOM
The Dahlia Room overlooks the rear of the gardens and willow lane. It has a super king-size bed and shares a bathroom with the Forget-me-not Room.

THE FORGET-ME-NOT ROOM
The  Forget-Me-Not Room overlooks the rear gardens and willow lane. It has a 2 single beds. The room shares a bathroom with the Dahlia Room. 

THE ORCHID SUITE

The Orchid Suite comprises 2 inter-connected rooms. The first room has a super king-size bed and the second room has a queen-size sleeper-sofa and can be enjoyed as a sitting room or used to sleep an additional two guests. It shares a bathroom with the Briar Room.

THE BRIAR ROOM
The Briar Room overlooks the front gardens and has a lovely queen-size bed. It shares the bathroom with the Orchid Suite

THE ANNEX ACCOMMODATION                                                                                                                                      Next to the main building there is The Annex Accommodation wing in which motel type rooms with share facilities have been established. This rooming complex provides for a more budget like accommodation wing for those that prefer this type of accommodation. The Annex has 8 double rooms and 7 single            bedrooms.                                                                                                                                        

The Owners Accommodation 

There is a very nice cottage with three bedrooms and large lounge and dining areas with wonderful views looking out across the estate gardens. This building could easily be converted to becoming extra guest accommodation away from the Manor itself. 

Brokers  Comments

This property is a fabulous country estate which is steeped in tradition rarely seen in New Zealand, so much so that the New Zealand Historic Places Trust have confirmed a protection note Category 1 on the Manor.

The native forest trees on the grounds of the estate are protected as this stand of trees is the only true standing of native forest trees for many miles around.  

The Manor itself is beautiful inside and the decor and refurbishment lends itself and oneself to a state of calm and wellbeing. The Dining Room and Lounge, the Hallways and Sitting room - in fact all areas within the manor are fabulously old world and beautiful.

I know of aquaintances from my Hotel Management days that would love to own this place and run with the business that the potential of the Manor Estate has.   

Contact the Broker

Ross Larsen, the Tourism & Hospitality Business business broker that is acting as the agent for the owner of this property is happy to discuss this property's details with you at any time - refer to the contact details on this page.

History - providing luxury and boutique accommodation

1888 - 1923
Honorable Walter Woods Johnston

The Manor Estate was originally built by the Honorable Walter Woods Johnston, a Member of Parliament for the Manawatu for 13 years, and was named after the Sussex Estate of his wife's father, Sir Charles Forster Goring. Walter Johnston obtained possession of the land in 1888 which consisted of over a thousand acres and built the  Manor 10 years later 1898; as far as can be ascertained an east wing and conservatory was later added in 1903.

When the Honorable Walter Woods Johnston died in 1907 his wife, Cecilia Johnston, continued to own the Manor which was supervised, along with its thoroughbred stud farm, by her eldest son, H. Goring Johnston, until her death in 1922. In winding up the estate it was decided to divide the property into two lots - a large block of about 1,000 acres and the homestead block of 222 acres with the house, farm buildings and the stand of native bush. 

1923 - 1990
Marist Fathers

In May 1923 the Manor Estate was purchased by Father Charles O'Reilly and his counsel for 17,000 pounds ($34,000). It was constituted as a Novitiate House for the Society on 31 January 1924 and used by the Marist Fathers for the next 67 years; Father David Kennedy was appointed Master of Novices.

The Marist Fathers built the Chapel in the North-West corner of the gardens and also some dorm rooms which is where the Novices resided. Devastation struck on 3rd February 1931 with the disastrous Napier earthquake causing the collapse of the Chapel and seriously impairing the newly-built accommodation block. The collapse of the Greenmeadow Chapel occurred during a retreat meditation claiming the lives of two priests and seven students.

The Chapel and accommodation section were rebuilt out of materials which in the time of the Johnstons had been the stables, coach sheds and grooms’ quarters but were excellently preserved. Another disaster stuck in November 1955 when a fire broke out in the Chapel and although it was detected early it was already climbing the walls of the corridor between sacristy and the chapel. The fire spread at a remarkable pace through the dry, old building as the on-lookers watched in helpless despair. The fire was a serious blow but eventually it bore fruit in a new separate Chapel and better accommodation (now know as the Annex).

Brothers Kevin and Joachim set out to make the manor an economic farm unit capable of supporting a community of twenty to thirty people as well as maintain the huge homestead. This involved making a bold decision to clear a large area of native bush, 10 to 15 acres a year, and developing a system of farming that fitted with the Brothers’ religions life. Eventually the estate became self sufficient consisting of 30 acres of pasture, a low maintenance piggery, sheep, cattle, chickens and eventually a bee-keeper.

1990 - 2000
Dalziell Family

On the 12th February 1990 Highden was sold via auction to Ken and Mary Dalziell who moved in with their family of five children on May 18th 1990. The house required some renovations to make it appealing to live in and at this stage the family still had no plans for the figure of the estate. One day a lady asked if she could hire the estate and manor for a wedding. The family thought hospitality would do very well as a future option and planned accordingly. Over the next ten years the efforts of the family were rewarded with an international and national reputation as a venue note.

Towards the last years the Dalzeill family came to realise that their goals at the manor had been met and that life was going to move on in other directions. The property was put on the market.

2000 - 2003
Dr Humelgaarden

In 2000 the Manor was purchase by a Danish Doctor, it is understood Dr Humelgaarden was working on an alternative treatment for cancer however it is unclear whether or not this had anything to do with the purchase of the estate. During the 3 years the estate was owned by Dr Humelgaarden it was used as a Shambala learning center. Shambala is based upon the Ageless Wisdom and utilizes comprehensive teachings intended to create a soul-based education. Shambala is responsible for the Stone Mandalas which were intricately place around the estate in 2001.

2003 - 2008
School Down Under

In 2003 the Manor was purchased by The School Down Under, founded by Kent Fergusson. The School Down Under is a free spirited, alternative schooling system designed for overseas students to study in NZ for a semester. During this time the chapel was converted into a school hall for the students of Kopane School who lost their school to the February floods in 2004. The School Down Under ran for about 3 years and for the last 3 years the estate was left vacant apart from hosting the occasional brunch and tours.

2008 - Present
Avril Druker and Andrew Michaels

In September 2008 Avril Druker and Andrew Michaels gave into their curiosity and flew from their home in Hawaii to the Manawatu to have a look at the Estate which kept drawing them in. After staying at the manor for 5 days they went back to Hawaii and then purchased the property on 18th December 2008. Whilst overseas they accumulated all the ornate furniture and decor from every lamp and bedside table to the glamorous chandeliers and elegant drapes. At the end of January 2009 Avril and Andrew along with their 2 daughters finally arrived at their new home. After spending 8 months restoring and renovating Avril and Andrew have succeeded in bringing the estate back to life and how she was intended all those years ago with her magnificent level of grandeur and Victorian décor.

Palmerston North and the Manuwatu

Palmerston North (Māori: Te Papa-i-oea) is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is an inland city with a population of 80,700 (June 2009 estimate). In 2008 it was the 11th-largest city in New Zealand, and the centre of the seventh-largest urban area.

Situated on the banks of the Manawatu River nestled at the foot of the impressive Tararua Mountain Range, a growing city, Palmerston North is unique.  The subdivision of Palmerston North began in 1866, with the most important stimulus to the growth of the town being the development of pastoral farming. As early European settlers cleared the native forest with axe and fire, a new vegetation of grasses and clovers provided the basis for cattle and sheep farming.

The city has been able to maintain a complementary relationship between the modern conveniences and technology of big city life, and the quality and ease of small town lifestyle, offering visitors and residents alike 'the best of both worlds'.  It is a vibrant youthful city with the active student population, nearby Linton Military Camp, and several knowledge organisations. Since 1930 the City's economic base has been broadened by the establishment of Massey University and the New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, hence it bears the distinction of being New Zealand's `Knowledge City', all adding to a cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Shopping to rival that found anywhere in New Zealand awaits the serious 'retail therapist', whilst connoisseurs of fine food, a good espresso or a great nightlife will find themselves spoilt for choice from the tasty smorgasbord of restaurants, cafes and bars. One professional and two amateur live theatre companies, New Zealand's most successful multiplex cinema, and the recent 12 million dollar complete refurbishment of the city's magnificent 'Regent on Broadway' make Palmerston North a popular destination for enthusiasts of the screen and stage.

Manuwatu River Palmerston North is served by an excellent international airport only a short distance from the city. The airport is open 99.97% of the year. Palmerston North's lack of fog and well-positioned runways are the key to its ability to ensure timely flights. Planes are able to take off and land while facing into strong winds. It's crosswinds that are troublesome. Fortunately Palmerston North International Airport's runway was built with the prevailing wind in mind and is able to take redirected flights when other airports, such as Wellington are closed.

An important convention city, Palmerston North International Airport also has a good range of well-timed business flights to and from all major centres in the North and South Islands.

By road, Palmerston North is only seven hours drive from Auckland and two hours from the capital, Wellington. The City's central location also places it within easy two hour drives of the North Islands Central Plateau skifields, the beaches and wineries of the Hawkes Bay, Mount Taranaki and historic Maori sites of the Taranaki region, and the rural splendor of the Wairarapa.

Mother nature has endowed Manawatu area with endless opportunities to experience the great outdoors, from short walks in splendid native bush, half day walks through the spectacular Manawatu Gorge, to tramping in the majestic Ruahine, or Tararua Ranges. Museums, gardens and arts & crafts abound, with many cottage industries to be discovered in the beautiful Pohangina Valley. The area provides every type of accommodation - top class hotels, motels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, home and farmstays. An excellent array of restaurants and bars to suit all palates are a popular feature of the city.