Gear Homestead

Has anyone ever heard of a house insulated with sawdust? Well, Gear Homestead in Wellington has just that. This grand old house, also known as Okowai (“muddy water”), sits proudly on Okowai Road. It’s a Category 2 historic place, and for good reason. Built in 1887 for James Gear, the founder of the Gear Meat Preserving and Freezing Company, this place oozes history. The company, a major employer in Wellington, played a big role in developing Petone. So, James Gear was clearly a man of some importance. The house itself is a testament to his success. Designed by Robert Edwards and built by William Hartley, Gear Homestead is constructed of matai, totara, and kauri. These native New Zealand timbers give the house a unique character. Remember that sawdust insulation I mentioned? The south wall is nearly a foot thick and packed with sawdust to protect against those fierce southerly winds. James Gear even had a special cottage built behind the main house when his health declined. A ramp connected it to the main house so he could still move around easily. The Gear family owned the homestead until 1967, a testament to their legacy. Gear Homestead has even seen its fair share of the silver screen. It was a key location in Peter Jackson’s first film, “Bad Taste”. It was also featured in the children’s TV series “Mirror, Mirror” and the horror movie “When Night Falls”. Today, this historic building has been transformed. It’s now a cafe, bar, and restaurant, open seven days a week. So, you can enjoy a meal or a drink while soaking in the history and atmosphere of Gear Homestead.