Mangapapa an Historic Property

Built in 1885 Mangapapa is one of Hawke’s Bay’s most historic properties.

In 1896, George Langdale Sunderland, a retired Navy Officer, who had immigrated to New Zealand with his family in his early 20s, took up residence.

Sunderland first settled in the Bay of Plenty in 1876 and worked for Nelson Brothers as head stock buyer at the Taraheru Freezing Works in Gisborne. He was promoted to Manager at the Tomoana Freezing Works in 1896.

George and Dorothy's daughter Gladys Sunderland, later married Oswald Nelson, who owned lands adjoining Mangapapa. After his retirement from the Freezing works in 1914, George Sunderland and his wife Dorothy went to live at the Masonic Hotel in Napier. Oswald and Gladys moved into Mangapapa.

The homestead remained in the Nelson family until after World War 2. Damage from the 1931 earthquake was limited to the loss of chimney pots and verandas.

Mangapapa Petit Hotel History

Mangapapa,  one of Hawke’s Bay’s most historic properties is 125 years old.
Mangapapa homestead was built in 1885 by William Nelson, founder of the Tomoana Freezing Works in Hastings.
Nelson had six beautiful homesteads built in similar style, one for each of his five daughters and his manager, but only Ormlie in Napier and Mangapapa remain.

In 1946 Sir James Wattie purchased the homestead  and its land to grow fruit and vegetables for his cannery business. The property was modernized, verandahs removed and a portico added in 1950.

Sir James and his wife, Gladys, moved into Mangapapa in 1950. It was the No. 1 Farm, known to the locals as "Wattie's Place", although it retained the name Mangapapa.

Pictured left & above Mangapapa today

Sir James died and in 1973 Lady Wattie moved into the bungalow on the adjoining section that they had built with retirement in mind. When Lady Wattie Senior moved out, their son Gordon and his wife lived at Mangapapa for a while. They added the tennis court and swimming pool, before moving with the cannery business up to Gisborne. In the late 80's, Mangapapa was sold as part of the Goodman, Fielder, Wattie assets when it merged with Heinz.
The property was bought by European business emigrants to develop as a restaurant and luxury hotel in December 1993 and renovations commenced in 1994. Mangapapa changed hands again in May 1999 and now operates as the Mangapapa Petit Hotel.