Visitors gain a rare insight into the private world of New Zealand’s most colourful and enigmatic grand dame of the arts.
Dame Ngaio’s powerful presence is found everywhere - from the green chair that she wrote in, to her personal art collection, first edition books, clothes and travel trunks. The house was was where she entertained her many guests, including artists, writers, upcoming actors and Hollywood greats.
Known by the Marsh family as Marton Cottage, the house was built in 1906 for Dame Ngaio’s parents by noted Christchurch architect Samuel Hurst Seager, a cousin of Dame Ngaio’s mother Rose.
The house is listed by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Toanga as a Category 1 historic place of special or outstanding historical or cultural significance or value. The house and garden are also scheduled heritage items on the Christchurch District Plan.
“From the beginning we loved our house. It was the fourth member of our family and for me, who still lives in it, has retained that character: it has been much added to but its personality has not changed.”
Dame Ngaio from her 1965 autobiography Black Beech and Honeydew.
Dame Ngaio particularly enjoyed the terraced heritage garden, which she largely designed and supervised the maintenance of herself.
Kiwi Gardener magazine commented: "It is like a pocket of an English countryside, changing with the seasons, with different plants standing at attention depending on the time of year."
This beautiful garden is a feature of your tour. There are wonderful views on a clear day across Christchurch to the mighty Southern Alps.
