Century-old home boasts notable political pedigree

The Wellington residence of former prime ministers Michael Joseph Savage and Peter Fraser is for sale.

The Northland home, which is known as Hill Haven, has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and 270-degree views.

It was designed by Frederick de Jersey Clere and built in 1909 using native timbers totara, matai and New Zealand oregon.

The Labour government bought the house in 1939 after Savage was diagnosed with colon cancer and he lived there until his death in 1940.

His successor, Fraser, lived in the home until 1949. The house sits atop a ridge with views of the harbour, Botanic Garden and Johnson’s Hill in Karori.

Fraser described it as having ‘‘one of the most beautiful views in the world’’.

Most of the original features have been retained but some modifications were done in the 1980s and 1990s, including adding drive-on access to an internal double garage and visitor parking.

Its rateable value is $1,625,000 and it was last sold in September 2004 for $1.5 million.