Historic Significance

Historical Significance or Value This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The Cottage was built as a political retreat and retirement home for Sir Donald McLean, an important and controversial nineteenth politician and runholder.

Physical Significance

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Aesthetic: The Cottage was designed as a rural retreat and the residential environment here is a picturesque one. From the front, the Cottage looks like a simple cottage orné set in a landscaped garden and fronting a circular driveway. The house is surrounded by mature trees. Both the house and gardens are well maintained.

Detail Of Assessed Criteria

This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1993. The following text is from the original Recommendation for Registration considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. The following comments are made in relation to the criteria identified under S.23(2) of the Historic Places Act 1993. a) The extent to which the places reflects important or representative aspects of New Zealand history: The Cottage has a strong connection with two prominent politicians, one of whom, Sir Donald McLean, made a major -albeit highly controversial -contribution to nineteenth century race relations and the process of colonisation. The building, a second home, although one of some size and cost, illustrates the wealth and comfortable lifestyle enjoyed by the colonial pastoral elite. b) The association of the place with events, people or ideas of importance in New Zealand history: Although both McLean's had distinguished public service careers, Sir Donald McLean is the most important. Indeed, he is one of the more controversial figures of 19th century colonial politics. In his classic 1959 history of New Zealand, Keith Sinclair wrote that: "The day-to-day tasks of governing the Maoris on behalf of the Crown fell into the hands of Donald McLean, the Chief Land Purchase Commissioner, who also, at the first opportunity, appropriated the office of Native Secretary. This was a disastrous combination of functions which confirmed the Maori nationalists in their impression that the Government's Maori policy amounted to buying their land. Gore-Browne left everything to his able and aggressive assistant." [120-121] More recently, Raewyn Dalziel in The Oxford Illustrated History of New Zealand (Keith Sinclair, ed., 1990) p.101, describes him as "once religious and interested in Maori life, [he was] by the early 1870s largely concerned with maintaining .....control over Hawkes Bay and transferring large tracts of Maori land as peacefully and rapidly as possible to European farmers and developers." McLean was a Highlander, born in 1820, who studied divinity before sailing to the Antipodes in 1838. He arrived in Auckland in 1840 and developed his knowledge of Maori language and customs while working there and around Thames. His public service began as a sub-protector of aborigines in Taranaki in 1844. Although interested in Maori language and culture, he believed that Maori needed 'British progress'. By 1853 he had risen to the post of chief land purchase commissioner. To the fury of the Williams Brothers, he accelerated the transfer of land from Maori hands to Europeans by making payments to certain chiefs. He was chief adviser to Governor Gore-Browne and bears the responsibility for the Waitara Purchase, which triggered the fighting in Taranaki in the early 1860s. McLean later withdrew from national politics, concentrating his efforts on Hawkes Bay, where he had acquired large land holdings. He became Provincial Superintendent in 1863 and later re-entered Parliament as MHR for Napier. In 1868 he brought down the Stafford administration, entering the Fox-Vogel cabinet as Minister of Defence and Native Affairs, duties he retained until late 1876. During this time he stamped out the remaining substantial remnants of Maori resistance. He died in 1877. Allan Ward, in his assessment of McLean in the 1990 Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, notes that McLean played a pivotal role in the New Zealand Wars. He bears chief responsibility from the Waitara Purchase, which triggered the Taranaki Wars. On the other hand his efficiencies enabled the colonial armed forces to defeat Maori on the battlefield. His obituaries were mixtures of approval and condemnation. "In the tradition of the Ringatu Church", Wards notes, "he is remembered as 'Pharaoh', the one who held them in bondage and took away their lands." [257] Conclusion: The Cottage, Tait Rd, Maraekakaho, Hawkes Bay, is recommended for registration as a Category I as a place of special and outstanding historical and cultural heritage significance and value. The Cottage has great historical significance due to its association with controversial nineteenth century politician and runholder, Sir Donald McLean. Set in a landscaped garden and surrounded by mature trees, the building also has aesthetic qualities.