Constructed in the early 1860s by Hugh Sinclair, Sinclair House was the home of Isabella Sinclair (1803 – 1882). Subsequently renamed Dyers Whare, the dwelling became synonymous with Phoebe Alicia Dyer nee Seddon (1871 – 1944), who frequented it as a holiday retreat during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Phoebe was the daughter of Richard John Seddon (1845 – 1906), who served as the Prime Minister of New Zealand for the Liberal Party from 1893 to 1906. Situated at 68 Hine Road, the historic residence endures to this day.
Water intake
Behind the property in Harry Todd Recreation Reserve is an old intake / weir that once supplied fresh stream water to the site. In this period of Wainuiomata’s history, houses were often built close to creeks and streams, as access to nearby running water was the next best thing to having piped water indoors.
