Mission Kemp House Kerikeri Northland New Zealand
Photo & Vacation Spot

A historic building dating back to 1822, being the oldest surviving building in Kerikeri in Northland, New Zealand is known as the Mission House/Kemp House.

Along the Kerikeri Basin in Northland, New Zealand, the Mission House/Kemp House is one of the few heritage buildings still standing and intact along with the Stone Store and Mission Station. This house dates back to 1822, but due to its location, the threat of being demolished by a flood or traffic could easily see the end of this part of New Zealand's history.

The building of a bridge started to create problems for the Mission House/Kemp House as the river rises to extremes after a hard rainfall. Some people of New Zealand are hoping that the bridge will eventually be torn down so that the threat of destroying historic landmarks such as these, will remain in New Zealand for years to come.

The Kemp House is the oldest building in New Zealand and many of the Maori people from the missionary families once resided in the area. Built as a mission, this building was home to Reverend John Gare Butler from 1824-31 and then from the middle of 1832 until 1848 when the mission was closed, James Kemp and his family resided here. The Kemps stayed here until 1974 when the Mission House/Kemp House was donated to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

Mission House / Kemp House, built in 1822, Kerikeri, Northland, North Island, New Zealand.