Cultural 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. Social: Marinoto exemplifies the lifestyles of the New Zealand business elite. Its institutional history after the death of Sargood typifies the way in which these large, usually well constructed inner city residences were recycled for other uses.

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. Marinoto is important as a link to three significant Otago entrepreneurs - John McGregor, Arthur Morris and Percy Sargood.

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: This large Victorian residence stands apart in its own grounds. House and gardens form something of an aesthetic unit and have landmark value despite modifications over the years. The grounds apparently seem to form part of the Town Belt. Architectural: Marinoto was constructed over the period 1878-1883 of Port Chalmers bluestone with Oamaru stone facing-work. The original style of the building was an eclectic Victorian Scots Baronial, with tall Medieval chimneys, pinnacles, lanterns elaborate bracketed eaves, and an exterior of rock-faced ashlar. Much if this has been stripped off, the roof slate has been covered.

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. b) The association of the place with events, persons, or ideas of importance in New Zealand history: Three people of significance have associations with Marinoto. John McGregor, who began the house, is best known for his marine engineering work at Oamaru, Otago (where he worked on Victoria Channel) and Auckland. McGregor was what might better be termed an engineer/entrepreneur, who often worked on commissions or retainers. Thus he invested in the Central Otago railway scheme and set up an important Dunedin engineering and shipbuilding company, John McGregor and Company. While McGregor never actually got to live in Marinoto, it certainly symbolised the aspirations of entrepreneurs such as McGregor. Arthur William Morris was best known for his investments in shipping. Manager of the Otago and Southland Investment Co., he began investing in the Otago Harbour ferry trade in 1863, taking a sizeable shareholding in Johnny Jones' Harbour Steam Company, which was transformed into the Union Steam Ship Company in 1875. Morris remained on the board of Union, by then New Zealand's biggest company, until his death in 1910. His move to 'Wairangi' in 1901 made him a neighbour of John Roberts, a friend and fellow USSCo director. Percy Sargood. The Sargood connection began with John Ross in 1901/2 and Frederick Sargood in 1902/3 before Percy (later Sir Percy) purchased the property in 1905. He and his wife used Marinoto for extensive business entertainment and charity work until his death in 1940. In his book Treasures of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, Peter Entwisle describes Percy Sargood as "flamboyant," so it may be assumed that Marinoto was often used for these purposes. Sargood is remembered best for his philanthropy (the Sargood Wing of the soon-to-be vacated Dunedin Public Art Gallery) and for his stewardship of Sargood, Son and Ewen, an important mercantile firm with operations on either side of the Tasman. Conclusion: Marinoto, Newington Ave, Dunedin, is recommended for registration as a Category I as a place of special and outstanding historical and cultural heritage significance and value. Marinoto exemplifies the lifestyles of the New Zealand business elite and is associated with three people of significance - John McGregor, Arthur William Morris and Percy Sargood. The large Victorian residence with surrounding garden has both aesthetic and landmark significance.