McNicol Homestead

McNicol Homestead
McNicol Homestead in 2025
Former names	Glenalbyn [1]
General information
Architectural style	Victorian
Address	12 McNicol Road, Clevedon
Town or city	Clevedon
Coordinates	36°59′22″S175°02′45″E / 36.98934°S 175.04586°E / -36.98934; 175.04586
Current tenants	Clevedon and Districts Historical Society
Named for	Duncan McNicol
Year(s) built	1878
Renovated	2024-2025
Owner	Auckland Council
Grounds	7,450 m2 (1.84 acres) [2]
Heritage New Zealand – Category 2
Designated	4 April 1983
Reference no.	687

The McNicol Homestead is a historic 19th century homestead located in Clevedon that is listed as a Category II building by Heritage New Zealand.

Description

The McNicol Homestead is a two-storey Victorian homestead. ^[3] The property has great macrocarpas. ^[4] The building was constructed from kauri that was milled onsite. ^[2] A ha-ha is located in front of the house. ^[2] The homestead has a brick chimney and corrugated iron roofing. ^[3] There are finials at each apex of the roof. The double hung sash windows have 6x6 panes. ^[5]

The homestead is a rare example of a surviving large colonial homestead. ^[3]

History

See also: Clevedon, New Zealand § European settlement

The homestead was constructed in 1878 for the McNicol family at a cost of £320. ^[2] The McNicols came from Scotland and were the first settlers in the area. The homestead was the second house the McNicols had constructed. ^{[2] [6]}

Sometime between 1870–1900 a two-room timber outbuilding was constructed. ^[7]

In 1973 Duncan McNicol's great-granddaughter sold the property to Bernie Ross, a Manukau City Councillor. Ross gifted the property to the Manukau City Council in 1980. ^{[2] [3]}

Since 1980 the homestead has been leased by the Clevedon and Districts Historical Society who operate a small museum that showcases local history and other community activities from the building. ^{[8] [6]}

The worker's cottage located on the property underwent restoration in 1983. ^[9]

The homestead underwent restoration work beginning in July 2024, ^[8] and re-opened for the public on 7 June 2025. ^[10]

References

1. "McNicol homestead, Clevedon, ca 1979". Auckland Libraries. Auckland Council. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
2. Hall, Andrew (February 1980). Historic Buildings in Manukau City. Manukau City Council.
3. "The McNicol Homestead" (Document). New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
4. Lamb, Michael (16 February 2022). "Auckland travel: Five lesser-known historic homes". New Zealand Herald.
5. "Clevedon Sustainable Development Plan Heritage Assessments" (Document). Manukau City Council. 27 October 2009.
6. "Clevedon: Get lost in time at McNicol Homestead". The Times. 11 August 2020.
7. Francesco, Cara (27 August 2018). "Built Heritage Condition Survey and Interpretation & Accessibility Audit, Outbuilding/former residence" (Document). Auckland Council. Reviewed by Megan Walker.
8. "Historic Auckland McNicol Homestead undergoes restoration". New Zealand Herald. 23 July 2024.
9. "Homestead is Base for Clevedon's History". Manukau Courier. 2 August 1983. p. 8.
10. OurAuckland. "McNicol Homestead & Museum revived". OurAuckland. Retrieved 2025-07-12.