Imagine stepping back in time to a colonial village in Auckland. This is Howick Historical Village. It is not just a museum. It is a living, breathing snapshot of life in the 1800s.
Howick Historical Village sits on seven acres. These grounds capture the essence of a Fencible settlement between 1840 and 1880. The Royal New Zealand Fencibles were British soldiers. They retired and came to New Zealand with their families.
Wander through heritage buildings. They are filled with authentic furniture and textiles. See how people lived in early Auckland. The general store shows the goods they traded. The old school house echoes with lessons of the past. The courthouse stands for law and order. Raupo huts and a sod cottage show simpler dwellings. Even the printing press tells tales of communication. Friendly chickens and ducks add to the lively scene. A village pond reflects the beauty. Attractive heritage gardens surround it all.
The Howick Historical Village collection is diverse. It ranges from art to furniture. It includes textiles and archives. All these items show early Auckland life between 1840 and 1880.
The Village also boasts period-appropriate plants. The extensive grounds showcase garden styles of the era. Heritage plants and fruit trees thrive. The air smells sweet.
Since 2016, the village has become a film set. Viva La Dirt League uses it. The village faced financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It had to cut staff. It sought financial support.
The Howick & Districts Historical Society runs the village. It is a registered charity. Members elect a board each year. The board consists of key roles. These roles include president, secretary, and treasurer.
The village is open to the public most days. You can visit from 10 am to 4 pm. Live Days offer a special treat. Costumed volunteers reenact Victorian New Zealand life. School groups visit for learning experiences. Weddings and celebrations occur in the church and Bell House. The village even serves as a film location.
Over the years, restoration projects have improved the village. These timber-framed buildings need constant care. In 2016, Sergeant Ford’s Fencible cottage was restored. The New Zealand Lottery Grants Board supported it. Additional deterioration was found. The Stevenson Village Trust helped to rescue the project. In 2019, the Pakuranga school house was restored. The Lotteries Commission provided funding. Windows and weatherboards were repaired.
Before leaving Howick Historical Village visit the gift shop. It sells New Zealand-made products. You will find gifts, cards, and homewares. Jewelry, books, and old-fashioned sweets are also available.
As you leave Howick Historical Village reflect on the stories you have witnessed. The echoes of the past linger. They remind us of the people who shaped Auckland.