Pah Homestead

The Pah Homestead is a historic home located in the suburb of Hillsborough in Auckland, New Zealand, within the bounds of Monte Cecilia Park.

Of plastered brick in the Italianate style, it is based on Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's Osborne House in the Isle of Wight.

The tree-lined drive to Pah Road remains largely intact, although parts of it now run through private properties adjoining the proposed park.

Hart had been intrigued by reports that the hill had been a fortified Maori pa and excavations for the house did uncover evidence of tōtara wood palisades which may have dated from the mid 18th century.

[4] Designed by Edward Mahoney & Sons, the house is an Italianate villa, constructed of brick rendered with cement to imitate stone.

The main rooms are distinguished by high quality plaster ceilings, Italian marble fireplaces, parquet floors with inlaid borders and finely chased metal fixtures to the doors.

The contents of the house were sold off at public auction in 1888; remarkably none of the Gillows furniture has ever subsequently been identified despite it all being stamped by the company—the only remaining piece is the built-in coat stand in the hall.

The area maintains part of its original farmland image as large tracts of land were purchased by various institutions; several Roman Catholic schools, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the Masonic Retirement Village.

[6] The council upgraded the Pah Homestead roof as part of its commitment to protecting and preserving heritage buildings in Auckland city.

Refurbishment of exterior joinery and façade is now completed, with drainage works and fire protection undertaken to prevent further deterioration of the building.

Monte Cecilia Park
One of the galleries in the Pah Homestead
One of the numerous works of art on display in the Pah Homestead.