Otahuna facts for kids
Otahuna is a very old and beautiful house in New Zealand. It's located near a place called Taitapu, on the Banks Peninsula. This grand house used to be the home of a famous man named Sir Heaton Rhodes. He was a lawyer, a large-scale farmer, and someone who loved to help others.
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What is Otahuna?
Otahuna is a large, fancy country house. It was built a long time ago, in 1895. The house was designed by an architect from Christchurch named Frederick Strouts. Today, Otahuna is recognized as a very important historical building. It is listed by Heritage New Zealand as a Category I heritage structure. This means it has special historical importance.
Who was Sir Heaton Rhodes?
Sir Heaton Rhodes (1861–1956) was the original owner of Otahuna. He was a very busy and important person in New Zealand.
- Lawyer: He studied law and worked as a lawyer.
- Runholder: This means he owned and managed a large farm, often for sheep or cattle.
- Stock Breeder: He was involved in raising animals, like sheep or cattle, for farming.
- Politician: Sir Heaton Rhodes also worked in government. He helped make decisions for the country.
- Horticulturist: He loved gardening and growing plants.
- Philatelist: This is someone who collects stamps.
- Philanthropist: He was a kind person who gave money and time to help others and good causes.
Otahuna Today: A Special Place
In 2007, Otahuna was changed into a special place for visitors. It became a luxury hotel where people can stay. It's known for being a very fancy and comfortable place. A famous magazine called Tatler even put Otahuna on its list of the 101 best hotels in the world.
The 2011 Earthquake and Reopening
In February 2011, a big earthquake hit Christchurch. This earthquake caused some damage to Otahuna. However, the building was carefully repaired and made new again. After the restoration work was finished, Otahuna reopened its doors to guests in August 2011.
