- A historic home in Governors Bay, owned by vintage car collector Gavin Bain, is for sale.
- The property, known as Waitahuna, has been lovingly restored over 50 years.
- Bain, renowned for his vintage car collection, owned vehicles like Bentleys, Bugattis, and Ferraris.
A historic home owned by one of New Zealand’s most prolific collectors of vintage cars has been listed for sale.
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1 Main Road, Governors Bay, was built in 1851 by one of Banks Peninsula’s earliest pākehā residents, but since the 1970s it has been the pride and joy of car king Gavin Bain.
Known locally as “Waitahuna”, the grand three-bedroom home was in a poor state when he picked it up 50 years ago. He worked hard to bring it back to life.
The property includes a colonial cottage, extensive shedding and garaging and a restored railway carriage. Photo / Supplied
The late owner, Gavin Bain, was a lifelong collector of vintage vehicles. He died in 2024. Photo / John McDonald
He restored the historic home to its former glory. Photo / Supplied
“This is a property that has been deeply loved and carefully maintained for over 50 years. It’s ready for its next chapter, whether that’s continuing as a private estate, or exploring the potential that comes with its scale, location and zoning,” said Bayleys listing Sarah Eastmond.
“Timber floors, built-in bookcases, French doors and bay-facing windows showcase the home’s era and atmosphere.
“Formal living and dining rooms, each arranged around an open fire, hold their own alongside more relaxed living by the kitchen and conservatory that captures ocean views to the jetty, bringing a remarkable range to a floor plan that moves easily from private retreat to polished entertaining.”
Gavin died two years ago, and his surviving family members have decided it’s time to sell the property, which sits on 1.74ha and has an RV of close to $3 million.
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Bain was known in the community for his love of vintage cars. According to his obituary, written by his friends Leslie Murray and Peter Croft, he bought his first car aged 14, a 1924 Humber 8HP saloon.
It was the first of many, with Gavin eventually setting up his own shop, Fazazz, for car enthusiasts from around the country.
Fazazz sold vintage car memorabilia, motoring books and more, but came to a crashing end in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. “Sadly, its closure resulted from the massive earthquake of 2011,” his obituary noted. “Gavin nearly lost his life then when a considerable chunk of masonry fell from parapets above, writing off his Mercedes saloon and missing him by inches.”
During his life, Bain owned Bentleys, Bugattis, GP and sports car Ferraris, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royces, Hispano Suizas, HWM, D-type Jag, Humbers, Austin 7s, Chater Lea, Alta, Voisin, Bimotore Alfa Romeo and a Fraser Nash, the obituary noted.
“His overseas expeditions included 3 litre Bentley fun in the UK and France, Darwin to Adelaide in Australia, Chater Lea cycle car at VSCC Prescott, Bugatti to Italy, one of the few cars ever to be parked in St Mark’s Square, Venice, Ferrari to Italy for the Mille Miglia and Australia for historic racing, and two amazing FN raids to the Alps.”
A five-bedroom homestead on the market at 26 Leonardo Lane, Le Bons Bay, Banks Peninsula. Photo / Supplied
A four-bedroom trophy home at 131 Stony Bay Road, sits on 12ha in Akaroa. It is for sale by negotiation. Photo / Supplied
Gavin purchased vehicles right up to the final months of his life. One of his last purchases was an original 1899 Benz Velo, believed to be one of the very first cars in the South Island.
Gavin’s Waitahuna estate is not the only impressive home for sale on Banks Peninsula. High-end properties for sale include a 2010 double-storey villa at 26 Leonardo Lane, in Le Bons Bay, which sits on 113ha of land and has an RV of $2.2m. The home is on the market with Rod Cross, of New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty.
Also up for grabs is a four-bedroom luxury home at 131 Stony Bay Road, in Akaroa. The house was created by notable Christchurch architectural designer Philip Bidwell and is listed with Sotheby’s agent Nicky Armitage. Sotheby's told OneRoof that interest in the property was coming from farmers looking to downsize their land holdings.
Bayleys agent Chris Mangels, who also sells in the area, told OneRoof there was a lot of stock on the market. “The buyers floating around seem good, but there aren’t as many as there have been in the last couple of years,” he said.
Built in 2021, 3 Rue Renard, in Akaroa, is for sale for over $1.495m. Also up for grabs is neighbouring 1 Rue Renard. Both were built by the same developer. Photo / Supplied
Known locally as the Treehouse, the one-bedroom home created by Colin Pilbrow at 17A Smith Street, in Akaroa, is for sale by negotiation. Photo / Supplied
The war in the Middle East had knocked buyer confidence. “We are seasonal, and this has coincided with probably our slowdown months. We’re pretty confident that once everyone gets their head around where they’re sitting, that discretionary spend for holiday homes will be back on the shopping list.
“The light at the end of the tunnel is that we’re hopefully preparing for a little bit of an influx with some of the money from the rural sector that’s coming with the Fonterra payouts,” he said.
Around 80% of sales in Akaroa, he said, were holiday homes, with buyers expected to pay a premium for water views. “To buy a great house, you’re looking for waterfront property generally above $2m. Really special stuff will hit a three.”
Mangels said some noteworthy homes for sale included 1 Rue Renard and 3 Rue Renard, both of which were built by the same developer.
He also has an unusual home for sale at 17A Smith Street, Akaroa. It’s known as The Treehouse, and was designed by architect Colin Pilbrow. “The Treehouse stands as a masterful example of what can be achieved when design and imagination work in perfect harmony,” Mangels said in his listing on OneRoof.
- Click here to find more properties for sale in Banks Peninsula
