History

The land on which Huntley Lodge stands was farmed from 1851 until 1864 by the Reverend Octavius Mathias, Archdeacon of Akaroa, and instrumental in establishing Christ’s College. He did not live on the land, however and it wasn’t until around 1876 that the Lodge was built most likely for successful wholesale ironmonger and saddler John Twentyman.

In 1877 Mr Twentyman sold the property to George Holmes a notable Canterbury contractor whose projects included the Lyttelton tunnel and the railway from Chrstchurch to the Rakaia River. Unfortunately, George died after just four months at the Lodge which was left in his will to his brother John Holmes. John named his new home “Huntley” after his original home town in Ontario, Canada.

It was John’s son (also named John) and his wife who were to become the longest-standing owners of Huntley Lodge – where they resided from 1895 to 1941.

Today, the Lodge retains most of its original features with recent restoration ensuring that the character of this grand old home is protected.