This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. The following text is the original citation considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Former Deanery, St Stephens Avenue, Parnell, Auckland Built in 1857 the same year as the well known Kinder House a short distance away, this former Deanery is a fine example of Frederick Thatcher's architecture. For a time the Deanery was one of Bishop Selwyn's several houses in New Zealand. He lived here before Bishops court was completed in 1865. Built of stone and wood it shows Thatcher's fine handling of both building materials. The ground floor is constructed in stone and the roof gables are finished in the distinctive vertical board and batten treatment. The stonemason responsible for the impressive stonework was Benjamin Strange who worked on several early Auckland houses. Although it has some minor additions the Deanery is still an excellent colonial dwelling displaying Frederick Thatcher's ability in domestic architecture.