Historic Couldrey House & Garden

Couldrey House History

Who lived here?
• An early entrepreneur extraordinaire
• An Indian Army Major and his artist wife
• A wealthy widow with a social conscience
• An eccentric sea captain
• A customs agent and avid collector

• Robert Graham (1820-1885) was a tourism entrepreneur, farmer, businessman and national and local politician. The homestead he built in 1857 has been shifted, extended and renovated to become the Couldrey House you see today.

• Major John Whitney founded the Colonial Ammunition Co. in 1885. Mrs Harriet Whitney was a talented artist. The Whitneys lived here for 20 years - the first permanent residents - they doubled the size of the house, where they entertained generously.

• Mrs Annabelle McKail Geddes and her family enjoyed Wenderholm as a holiday retreat from her busy philanthropic life in Auckland.

• Captain Thomas Caradoc Kerry (1859-1944) was a sea-captain with charm and a colourful past. In later life (his Wenderholm years) he was simply a recluse.

• H.W. 'Tim' Couldrey was a shipping agent and enthusiastic collector. He and his wife Brenda Edmonds Couldrey restored the house from near dereliction (1956-60), added some of the comforts and conveniences and hosted many V I P's. The Couldreys owned Wenderholm for 30 years and were the last private owners of the house.

Image: Captain Kerry (left) one time owner of Couldrey House with Lady Bledisloe and a Governor's aide 1932.