On October 18 the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga managed property, Hayes Homestead, celebrated its 100th birthday. 

The homestead was built by the Hayes sons for their parents, Ernest and Hannah Hayes. The Hayes sons made the mudbricks on-site in the years before World War I. 

Once Bernard and Stanley Hayes returned from active duty in 1919-20, the concrete foundations were poured and construction began.

Hannah Hayes was so keen to start living in her new home that she began moving in, 18 October 1921, before the final touches were completed.

Hayes Engineering Property Lead, Jess Armstrong, sees the anniversary as a time to celebrate the ingenuity and family loyalty that makes the Hayes family story so special.

True to form, the innovative Hayes built the original homestead with plenty of ingenious touches and technical innovations. 

The homestead featured the first flushing toilet in the Maniototo, a homemade shower (unusual for the times), air ventilation in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry and a wet back coal range.

Most unusually, a system to pipe music and radio broadcast around the house was installed. 

“The story goes that this was done during World War II, so the family could keep up to date with war news,” Jess says.

This year also marks ten years since the official opening in 2011, after Hayes Homestead was restored by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga (Then New Zealand Historic Places Trust). Today, Hayes Engineering is also a Tohu Whenua.

The restoration process was a colossal effort led by Helen Gillespie and aided greatly by Guy Williams. The homestead was in poor repair. The original clawfoot bath was stained from years of being used to store coal. 

The kitchen sink, bench and mantelpiece had disappeared and needed rebuilding. Decades-old layers of paint had to be stripped back.

The restorers paid great attention to detail, retaining elements like the patina on the Drawing Room walls, created from years of kerosene lamps and a coal fire.

The restoration was supported by Hayes family descendants, particularly Les Hayes and Clive and Ngaira Hayes.

“The Hayes family generously gave us many original pieces for the homestead, as well as the stories behind them,” Jess explains.

Clive and Ngaira Hayes donated important pieces such as Hannah Hayes’ linen and books. Clive and his grandson Colin repaired the original organ in the drawing room.  

Les Hayes gifted an original gun cabinet built by his father Llew Hayes. Like many of the ‘homemade’ elements of the house it was constructed using engineer’s bolts instead of nails.

Members of the Hayes family continue to be involved in the site to this day. Descendent, Anne Hayes, is grateful to the Heritage New Zealand team who care for the property. 

“It’s been great seeing the improvements to the visitor experience which let so many people enjoy our ancestors’ inventions,” she says.

“I often have people tell me how much they’ve enjoyed visiting the site”.

Hayes Homestead is part of Hayes Engineering – a property cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, and which is open to the public.

A private, invite-only ceremony will be held over the coming days, under Covid Alert Level 2 conditions.

 For more information visit the website.