Our History Our History

Our History Our History

In 1895, Heaton Rhodes and his wife Jessie moved into their new estate ‘Otahuna’, a name they chose for the property which they translated as ‘Little Hill among the Hills”. Otahuna remains Sir Heaton Rhodes’ most tangible legacy, the nexus of a love story that was written across six decades and thousands of acres. In 1895, Heaton Rhodes and his wife Jessie moved into their new estate ‘Otahuna’, a name they chose for the property which they translated as ‘Little Hill among the Hills”. Otahuna remains Sir Heaton Rhodes’ most tangible legacy, the nexus of a love story that was written across six decades and thousands of acres.

Otahuna quickly became a fixture of Canterbury’s social scene in the early 20th century. As Heaton would come to be known as “The Grand Old Man” of New Zealand public life, he and Jessie entertained many prominent guests at their beloved home and hosted a royal visit by the then Duke of York (later King George VI) in 1927.

A Home for New Zealand A Home for New Zealand

Generations of New Zealanders best know Otahuna for its numerous and bountiful fields of daffodils. Heaton Rhodes and his gardening team pollinated rows upon rows of flowers by hand to develop new varieties of daffodil on the Estate.  Thousands of the spring flowers were on display annually from the 1920s onwards at “Daffodil Day” when members of the public were welcomed to Otahuna to tour the gardens. Rhodes’ legendary daffodil fields were a key pillar of Christchurch’s image as “The Garden City.

Generations of New Zealanders best know Otahuna for its numerous and bountiful fields of daffodils. Heaton Rhodes and his gardening team pollinated rows upon rows of flowers by hand to develop new varieties of daffodil on the Estate.  Thousands of the spring flowers were on display annually from the 1920s onwards at “Daffodil Day” when members of the public were welcomed to Otahuna to tour the gardens. Rhodes’ legendary daffodil fields were a key pillar of Christchurch’s image as “The Garden City.

A new chapter penned by a visionary pair A new chapter penned by a visionary pair

112 years after Heaton Rhodes built his wife the ultimate grand romantic gesture, another pair fell in love with Otahuna. Room by room and acre by acre, Hall, Miles and their team continue to revive this magnificent estate. Retelling its story for a new century, and warmly welcoming you into its next chapter.
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