Diva’s house sale hits the right note
For more than a decade, internationally recognised opera singer Dame Malvina Major has spent her private life in a 1.37 hectare haven in the Canterbury countryside.
The Waianiwa Homestead was purchased in 1999, and its gardens have become a labour of love for Dame Malvina for the past 15 years.
“I realise now that I am a gardener at heart, and have always been,” she said.
“Waianiwa Homestead and its beautiful gardens have gifted me a haven from all the pressures involved with touring and engagements required from my career as an opera singer.
“It has been a place for me to rest and recharge my batteries when I need to, and it has been a delight to be able to see other people’s enjoyment in the garden when it has been used as the venue for many charity garden parties and concerts.
“In the summer it is great to take a glass of wine and sit by the lake and see the sun set across the lake in the evening.”
However, Dame Malvina said the time had come to pass the homestead and garden on to the hands of a new owner.
Waianiwa Homestead has been placed on the market for sale by Bayleys by auction on February 16, and is being marketed by Bayleys Canterbury country salespeople Jeremy Gould and Richard Innes.
Mr Gould said Waianiwa Homestead offered a fantastic rural living opportunity for a family.
“The original homestead has been extensively renovated, keeping in with the original style and joinery, to create a six bedroom home, with dining room, library, large country kitchen and living area,” Mr Gould said.
“Two of these rooms are currently used as music rooms. They could be retained, or used an additional bedroom by the new owners.
“Alternatively, the site could be adapted to a home stay, or lodge, or the gardens could be utilised for weddings and private functions.”
In addition, Mr Gould said the garden had been extensively landscaped with features including a lake, a Roman folly, an old church gate, and a French formal garden. The garden is surrounded by mature trees including oaks and redwoods.
“The homestead is located just 11km from Hororata and 42km from Christchurch International Airport, and is ideally situated for easy access to Mt Hutt and Rakaia Gorge,” Mr Gould said.
Dame Malvina said putting the property on the market had been a “heart-wrenching” decision, but she was looking forward to relocating back to her home town of Hamilton.
In February, Dame Malvina will take up a part-time teaching position at the University of Waikato. Dame Malvina has had a long relationship with the University of Waikato, having received an honorary doctorate in 1994.
“There comes a moment in your life when it’s time to move on, and now is the right time to hand Waianiwa Homestead and the garden over to someone else to keep it going,” she said.
“It’s better to know when to step back than to be told you have passed your use by date.”
After spending the holidays with her family, Dame Malvina will be busy preparing for the up coming Hamilton Garden Arts Festival, as well as a fundraising concert for the Waikato Breast Cancer Trust – with a possible tour to China and Hong Kong also on the cards.
“My children have also kindly offered to let me landscape their gardens any time I would like to,” Dame Malvina said.
