In Waimate is a brilliant gem of a home, one of South Canterbury’s most beautiful historic homesteads.
On 22nd March 1871, Alpheus Hayes was on the Greenock docks in Glasgow about to embark on his return voyage to his home country, Nova Scotia, Canada, when he noticed a passenger boat called the "Wild Deer".
The boat was due to depart and destined for the distant shores of New Zealand. On the spur of the moment Alpheus tossed a coin, which resulted in him taking a 3-month voyage to New Zealand.
During the voyage, Alpheus met and fell in love with his future wife Anna Groves.
He promised that one day he would build her a beautiful house with an extensive garden - and Centrewood is the result of that promise.
Now in the 5th generation, the legacy of Alpheus Hayes and his promise, lives on.
Kilns were constructed near the building site to fire the 250,000 bricks needed to make the exterior triple brick and interior double brick walls of the house.
While the building was in progress work began on creating the garden which Johnny’s great great grandfather Alpheus Hayes had promised his new bride Anna. The lake was dug by hand and trees planted including elm, ash, copper beech and oak. Today they form a majestic backdrop for the historic grounds.
A beautiful garden was planned with several different vistas to be viewed from the verandahs, as well as winding paths and a shrubbery under the douglas fir. Rare breeds of Rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, maples, roses and magnolias were planted and continue to flower in a riot of colour.
- Jo Sutherland 2020