The roofless and lonely house that was once a warm and much-loved home
Check out this lovely story from Marty Sharpe.
For many years Haumiata Lucas would raise a hand to block her view as she passed the old villa on the approach to Waimarama, Hawke’s Bay.
Once a much-loved and majestic home with a wide verandah and large sash windows, today it sits roofless and lonely, and very near collapse, in the middle of a maize field.
Lucas was 18 when she last lived here.
Now 86, she walks cautiously across the rows of young maize towards the house. The ground is rough, and she takes a supporting hand now and then. That allows her to lift her gaze from the dirt to the house.
Get up to $30,000 back* with your new home
Sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman village by 31 March 2026 and receive a $30,000 credit on settlement or sign up to a serviced apartment and receive a $10,000 credit on settlement*.
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*Participating villages only, Terms and conditions apply.
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
Loved Cat lost from Paradise Road, Napier! Posted on behalf
Please call the number in the photo if you see Spot. He is desperately missed by his family ❤️🐈💔 He is missing from Napier but could be anywhere as he has been known to hop in cars plus he has been missing 3 weeks now. NB there have been 2 potential sightings - the most likely sighting is Hyderabad Road near Northe Street
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