A piece of Puhoi’s historic past

A pioneering settler farm and homestead in historic Puhoi is on the market for the first time since 1900. Oakdale is situated only a short walk or drive from Puhoi village, its legendary watering hole and is within 35 minutes of central Auckland. The farm was developed, and home built by Charles Straka (born 1870, the son of Paul Straka) more than 120 years ago, and holds a prominent place in local and New Zealand history. Paul Straka, arrived on one of the first ships to land in New Zealand from Bohemia, the War Spirit, in 1863 as a 33 year old single man. Emigration from Bohemia was fueled by tales of golden lands overseas and the promise of free land if they could pay their own passage. After a voyage of 124 days, Paul and his 83 fellow settlers arrived in Auckland, and were then taken by cutter to the mouth of the Puhoi River, where they were transferred to Maori canoes for the last four miles of their long journey. The Government promised each adult a land allocation of 40 acres (16 hectares) while a child aged five to 19 received 20 acres (8 hectares). They were required to occupy their allotment for five years developing it and erecting a dwelling within that timeframe. If they managed to do this the head of the family then qualified to be granted a single free title to that land. If they didn’t last, then they lost all rights to the land and any improvements they had made. The property’s three-bedroom, two-lounge homestead was constructed from locally logged kauri and the bush clad land was cleared by Charles’s bullock team - the horns of which can still be seen mounted in the Puhoi Pub. The farm now is sub-divided into 13 large paddocks and is well supported by a reliable all year water supply, a good set of cattle and sheep yards and the original two-stand woolshed (built by Charles circa 1900), which once housed the first shearing machine in the district. The 150-hectare farm is held in five titles. Country property specialist John Barnett said the design of Oakdale Homestead, which was fully renovated and tastefully restored in 2000 had remained virtually unchanged since it was built by the current owner’s forebear. “Exposed kauri floorboards, original doors (featuring hand painted panels), large sash window frames, leadlight glazing, and 3.6 metre stud ceiling beams have all been brought back to life” Mr Barnett said. “As befitting a stately farmhouse of its period, Oakdale had, and still has, a formal dining area, a separate lounge, an office which would have been a library or gentleman’s retreat, and gracious covered verandahs overlooking the gardens and lawn.” “While the fittings in the residence have been modernised, they are replications of what would have originally been used by Charles Straka’s family – including the free-standing clawfoot baths, and a solid cast-iron Waterford Stanley brand stove in the kitchen.” Mr Barnett said some of the notable additions to the dwelling included the remodeling of its spacious loft area, the inclusion of a concealed Wormald fire suppression system, and the introduction of a central heating system. “With so many heritage characteristics on tap on one of the largest landholdings in the area, some of the largest Kauri trees you’ll have the pleasure of experiencing, a flying fox, a concept plan for an additional eight titles and a genuine rural lifestyle sought by many, there’s going to be something for everyone. Whilst the sale represents the end of one family legacy, it also provides the opportunity for someone to start their own,” says Mr Barnett.