Historic The Whare

The Whare is the oldest building on Kapiti Island and the oldest building associated with nature conservation in the country.

It is thought to originate from the early 1860s when it was built as the homestead for the McLean family who farmed the island at the time.

The Whare, Kapiti Island

In 1897 much of the island was purchased by the Government for the purpose of protecting its natural heritage.

The Whare became home to a number of island caretakers including Richard Henry, the world’s first state sponsored conservation officer. He was appointed to Kapiti Island in 1908 after serving on Resolution Island where he pioneered much of his work on capture techniques and successful species relocation methods. He lived in the Whare for three years before his retirement.

By 1924 another caretakers cottage was built. Since then the Whare has been used as a base for scientists, trappers, students and numerous dignitaries and visitors.

Fabric

A simple rectangular timber framed building with gabled roof. There are three rooms, the two southern most used as bedrooms and the northern most a kitchen and living room. A lean-to is located on the western elevation for the ablutions block and a veranda runs round the eastern and northern elevations. Exterior walls are clad in shiplap weather-boards while the roof is corrugated steel.

Future management

The Whare is managed by the Department of Conservation's Kapiti Area Office which regularly maintains it to the specifications outlined in its conservation plan. The building is also registered Category II under the Historic Places Act and is listed as a historic place within the Kapiti Coast District Council’s District Plan.