History of Manaroa
In 1869 Henry Godsiff established a timber mill at “Manaroa” in partnership with Arthur Beauchamp. At this time native bush stood from the water’s edge and early settlers and millers painstakingly cleared areas to farm. The land was sold, when this mill closed, to J.J. Kerr, who in 1889 sold it to William Taylor Masefield, my Great Grandfather, who had, up to this time, been farming with his brother at Banks Penninsula. Margaret, William’s daughter bought this farm from her brother, William Masefield after her marriage to Geoffrey Rogers Senior. Will, her brother, then farmed at “Ellerton” Kekerengu.
The next generation to farm the property was Geoffrey Rogers (Junior), my father, and his wife, Mary. After the preemptive death of their son, Ben, they moved to Ellerton to farm both the Masefield property and Manaroa successfully for the family and Geoffrey’s two daughters, Prue and Star. Subsequently, Prue inherited the Manaroa property and Star the Ellerton property at Kekerengu.
Peter and Prue Jackson now own the property and have recently built the beautiful home that stands on the historic site of the two previous Masefield and Rogers homesteads. The unique design of this home is the inspiration of a great friend and architect Jonty Rout. Timber for the house was milled from stands of native trees on the farm, Rimu, Beech and Tawa; Brick recycled from the original fireplaces in the previous house was used for the huge fireplace and chimney. The original garden was designed by Buxton, a renowned English Landscape gardener late in the 19th Century. The garden has an extensive orchard plantation, tennis court and lily pond. Some trees from that design still stand but many of the features have changed with the times.
In the early days a nine hole golf course was maintained on the farm and was used regularly for local tournaments. Geoffrey Rogers played to 3 Handicap! Sadly, this course is no longer there, as life in the Sounds has changed dramatically. A cemetery that was consecrated for the early settlers is an historic record of families that settled in the area over 130 years ago. It is still used by residents of the Sounds and relatives of families buried there.
The present farm, “Manaroa” is made up of 900 acres of grass, 300 acres of pine plantation and 300 acres of beautiful native bush.
( Prue Jackson )
The next generation to farm the property was Geoffrey Rogers (Junior), my father, and his wife, Mary. After the preemptive death of their son, Ben, they moved to Ellerton to farm both the Masefield property and Manaroa successfully for the family and Geoffrey’s two daughters, Prue and Star. Subsequently, Prue inherited the Manaroa property and Star the Ellerton property at Kekerengu.
Peter and Prue Jackson now own the property and have recently built the beautiful home that stands on the historic site of the two previous Masefield and Rogers homesteads. The unique design of this home is the inspiration of a great friend and architect Jonty Rout. Timber for the house was milled from stands of native trees on the farm, Rimu, Beech and Tawa; Brick recycled from the original fireplaces in the previous house was used for the huge fireplace and chimney. The original garden was designed by Buxton, a renowned English Landscape gardener late in the 19th Century. The garden has an extensive orchard plantation, tennis court and lily pond. Some trees from that design still stand but many of the features have changed with the times.
In the early days a nine hole golf course was maintained on the farm and was used regularly for local tournaments. Geoffrey Rogers played to 3 Handicap! Sadly, this course is no longer there, as life in the Sounds has changed dramatically. A cemetery that was consecrated for the early settlers is an historic record of families that settled in the area over 130 years ago. It is still used by residents of the Sounds and relatives of families buried there.
The present farm, “Manaroa” is made up of 900 acres of grass, 300 acres of pine plantation and 300 acres of beautiful native bush.
( Prue Jackson )
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A brief history of how Manaroa came to be
Peter & Prue Jackson and Josh & Summer Jamieson
Manaroa, Pelorus Sound, RD 2 Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand
Phone +64-3-579-8084 : Fax +64-3-579-8480 : Email enquiries@manaroa.com
Manaroa, Pelorus Sound, RD 2 Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand
Phone +64-3-579-8084 : Fax +64-3-579-8480 : Email enquiries@manaroa.com
