Community Contributed

Moutoa Estate

Kete Horowhenua2020-03-23T16:53:20+00:00
Located at 430 of the Foxton Shannon Highway.
Construction date1906

The property was put up for sale in May 2007 with a price tag of $1,100,000 (rateable value currently $950,000- so the real estate photos were obtained from the internet .

The property was built in 1906 and has 10 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, with a floor area of 600 sq. metres (6,450 sq.ft.). It is on 6.8 hectares of pasture and bushland.

The property was put up for sale in May 2007 with a price tag of $1,100,000 (rateable value currently $950,000- so the real estate photos were obtained from the internet .

The property was built in 1906 and has 10 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, with a floor area of 600 sq. metres (6,450 sq.ft.). It is on 6.8 hectares of pasture and bushland.

This property is of historical significance - according to the Foxton Tourist and Development Association website - here are some historic photos from Kete Horowhenua:


Bill Kuiti driving a tractor through the flax at Moutoa Estate, 1974.

27 Aug. 1974. Last load of cut flax from Moutoa Estate being
transported by Stevens Bremner truck.

Tractor pulling loaded trailer of flax bundles
in the Moutoa Swamp flax plantation.

Horse drawn tram and load of flax beside Manawatu River at Moutoa.

Postcard showing a group of unidentified Maori pose
in front of flax bushes at Moutoa, 2 April 1916.

Miller ? inspects ploughed soil at Moutoa Estate.

PAIAKA about 1890s. the old wharf on right and Gardner’s house on far
left. The Moutoa Estate Flax Headquarters was later on this site.

1915:

"The cutting up of the Moutoa Estate has considerably assisted development. In 1903 it was purchased from the Assets Realization Board by Messrs. John Stevens, Easton, and Austin, who had it surveyed and offered at auction.

Practically the whole of the land fit for dairying has been sold, and only the flax areas, about 4000 acres, remain.

Various mills cut the flax on these areas, and pay royalties, which are based upon the High Commissioner's report. These royalties have averaged from 3se to £1 per ton, and have not been excessive.

The estate was originally about 9000 acres. Twenty-three different owners, occupying the 5000 acres which were, sold, bought from 9½ acres up to 1000 acres, but I understand the 1000-acre holding has since been resold and cut up. The prices obtained by the syndi­cate at the original sale ranged from £10 an acre.

Three creameries are now supplied by the settlers on the Moutoa Estate, and many sheep and cattle are grazing there.

There are two large estates surrounding Foxton, one of which is the Himitangi block of Maori land, the cutting up of which would greatly assist our advancement, particularly as there seems to be a demand for land hereabouts.

"One evidence of our prosperity lies in the fact that six or seven years ago money could not be borrowed at reason­able rate on Foxton properties, but now the Advances to Settlers Department, recognising the stability of the place, have loaned to most people who have been erecting houses. Round about here the mills employ about 500 hands, and the rope works over forty. We have two large flax-grading and wool stores at the wharf, erected by the shipping companies trading here."

According to the Shannon CWI, this was originally the Easton Estate - and the Easton family is remembered by this memorial in the Foxton Cemetery.

According to Te Ara:

Frederick Spencer Easton took a share in the Moutoa flax estate in 1902, and it helped make him one of Manawatū’s wealthiest businessmen.

The son of a butcher and Foxton benefactor, Augustus Easton, Frederick was known as the ‘Moutoa millionaire’.

'The depression of the 1930's almost killed off the flax industry but the government stepped in and estab­lished the New Zealand Woolpack and Textiles Com­pany. The company built a new factory and began producing woolpacks from the flax fibre. Later the Moutoa Estate was purchased to ensure a continual supply of flax leaf. During World War Two, gun mats were produced and after the war diversification into floor mats took place.'

The 2007 Real Estate description is as follows:

'Nestled in mature trees and designer gardens, north facing, this tranquil lady abounds in the rich beauty of handcrafted timbers and lead light glass. Every window view paints its own stunning country portrait. The entrance hall echoes her history, welcoming and beckoning you to relax and enjoy all. Built in 1906, this home has magnificent native timber joinery, formal dining and living rooms, drawing and billiard rooms, ten bedrooms and four bathrooms. The exterior features include a swimming pool, two acres of lawns and gardens, 18 acres of land, access to a substantial light airstrip and a small vineyard of pinot noir grapes.'

Exterior Cladding:

Weatherboard

Exterior Joinery:

Timber

External Features:

Deck, Outbuilding, Verandah, Workshop

Heating / Cooling:

Open Fire, Woodburner

Interior Construction:

Gib Board, Insulated - Ceilings, Timber

Internal Features:

Bath, Bay Window, Floor - Timber, Floor - W/W Carpet, Kitchen - Walk-in Pantry

Lot Features:

Contour - Flat/Sloping, Landscaped Garden, Very Private, View - Bush, View - Rural

Recreational:

Pool - Fenced, Pool - Inground

Roof:

Corrugated Iron

Rooms:

Billiard, Dining Separate, Kitchen, Laundry, Lounge Separate, See Remarks - 2 lounges, Separate Toilet, Study / Office, Sunporch

Style:

Colonial

Water / Sewer:

Sewerage - Septic Tank, Water - Bore, Water - Tan