Last updated June 2026
Caccia Birch House at 130 Te Awe Awe Street is a colonial homestead completed in 1892 overlooking the Hokowhitu Lagoon in south-east Palmerston North. The house is a Heritage New Zealand Category 1 Historic Place and sits within a 3-acre Palmerston North City Council-owned property used as a conference and events venue.
The house was designed by Danish-born architect Ludolph Georg West for Norwegian settler Jacob Nannestad and his wife Anna, originally known as the Nannestad Homestead. It is now named after William Caccia Birch and his wife Maude, who gifted the property to the New Zealand government in 1941.
Practical Information
| Location | 130 Te Awe Awe Street, Hokowhitu, Palmerston North 4410 |
| Completed | 1892 |
| Architect | Ludolph Georg West (Danish-born), for Jacob Nannestad |
| Heritage status | Heritage New Zealand Category 1 Historic Place (List no. 196) |
| Current use | Conference and events venue (cost-recovery basis); weddings, functions |
| Owner | Palmerston North City Council (since 1983/1984); Caccia Birch Trust Board formed 1989 |
| Grounds | 3-acre property overlooking Hokowhitu Lagoon; mature gardens |
| Access | Private/no general public access; open for events, bookings and occasional open days |
About Caccia Birch House
Caccia Birch House was completed in 1892, designed by Danish-born architect Ludolph Georg West for Norwegian settler Jacob Nannestad and his wife Anna. Originally called the Nannestad Homestead, it is one of Palmerston North’s most significant surviving 19th-century houses and is a Heritage New Zealand Category 1 Historic Place.
The property passed through several owners. In 1903 it was purchased by Englishman John Henderson Pollock Strang and his wife Mary, who renamed it Woodhey. During Strang’s ownership, the house was extensively enlarged. It served as Government House from 1908 to 1910 when leased to the New Zealand Government for Governor Lord Plunket following a fire at Parliament Buildings. In 1921 it was sold to William Caccia Birch, and the house takes its current name from William and his wife Maude.
In 1941 the Caccia Birch family gifted the property to the New Zealand government. The house was used by the military during the Second World War, then became a convalescent home for servicewomen and nurses. From 1960 to 1976 it operated as an educational institution. In 1983 it was given to Palmerston North City Council, the Caccia Birch Trust Board was formed in 1989, and it opened as a conference and function centre in 1993.
The 3-acre property includes mature gardens with established trees and lawns overlooking the Hokowhitu Lagoon. The lagoon outlook gives the setting a tranquil quality unusual for a heritage site this close to the city centre. The site has cultural significance to Rangitāne o Manawatū as part of the Hokowhitu Native Reserve.
Visiting and Hire
Caccia Birch House operates today as a conference and events venue, run on a cost-recovery basis by the Caccia Birch Trust Board on behalf of Palmerston North City Council. Common uses include weddings, conferences, private functions, networking meetings, and seminars. The grounds are often open during heritage open days and local history events.
For visitors, the property combines heritage architecture, mature gardens and the lagoon outlook. Combine with a Hokowhitu Lagoon walk and the nearby Milverton Park for a full half-day in this part of the city. The Coach House on site includes historical displays about previous owners.
What Visitors Often Say
Visitors consistently rate Caccia Birch House as one of Palmerston North’s most-photogenic heritage sites. The 1892 colonial architecture, the mature gardens, and the lagoon outlook are the most-mentioned positives. Wedding parties, photographers, and heritage event visitors all describe the property as a standout local venue.
Practical observations: check the Caccia Birch site for current open days, conference bookings, or wedding hire; the Te Awe Awe Street location is named after Rangitāne rangatira Te Peeti Te Awe Awe; combine with a Hokowhitu Lagoon walk for a fuller stop; local history events typically include heritage tours of the house.
Where to Learn More
Heritage New Zealand: Full registration report and heritage listing details for Caccia-Birch House.
Palmerston North City Council: Venue information, bookings and council-managed details.
Caccia Birch House official site: History, venue bookings and current programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Caccia Birch House?
130 Te Awe Awe Street, Hokowhitu, Palmerston North 4410, overlooking Hokowhitu Lagoon in the south-east of the city.
When was it built?
Completed in 1892, designed by Danish-born architect Ludolph Georg West for Norwegian settler Jacob Nannestad. It was originally known as the Nannestad Homestead.
Was it ever Government House?
Yes. During John Henderson Pollock Strang’s ownership, the house was leased to the New Zealand Government and used as Government House from 1908 to 1910 for Governor Lord Plunket. The Government undertook substantial extensions during that period.
Who was Caccia Birch?
William Caccia Birch purchased the property in 1921. He and his wife Maude gifted it to the New Zealand government in 1941, and the house takes its current name from them.
Is it heritage-listed?
Yes. Heritage New Zealand Category 1 Historic Place (List no. 196), entered in 1983.
Can I visit?
The property operates as a conference and events venue with public access during open days, heritage events, and arranged tours. General public access is otherwise limited.
Can I hire it for a wedding?
Yes. The house and gardens are popular for weddings, conferences and functions. Check the Caccia Birch site or PNCC for current bookings and availability.
What is the size of the property?
The site covers 3 acres (1.2 hectares) of gardens and grounds overlooking the lagoon.
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