Highwic is a large house of Carpenter Gothic design that was built for a wealthy colonial settler and landowner, Alfred Buckland.

Eliza Buckland had two more children during her short time alive in her new house, she died of pneumonia in July 1866.

The original eight room house was extended in 1874, 1883 and 1884 as the Buckland family grew bigger and their wealth increased.

The building included a Drawing Room, several bedrooms, a boy's dormitory, a laundry, kitchen, scullery, outside stables, grooms accommodation, a billiard house, and a service yard.

By the early 20th century two inside bathrooms were added with baths, hand basins, flushing toilets and hot and cold water on tap.

[5] The building has been used in filming for music acts such as Bic Runga, Rhys Darby, and also television shows such as The Jono Project and The Luminaries.