Media Release
25 October 2005
Cranwell House up for heritage listing
One of Henderson’s oldest houses is being considered by the Council for a Category Two heritage listing under
Waitakere’s District Plan.
Cranwell House, built by Robert Cranwell in 1893, now has its address as 7 Crockett Lane in Henderson but originally it
was the homestead for Pomaria Orchards that Cranwell established on 898 acres in Lincoln Road in 1890-1891.
In those days the elegant house was reached by an equally elegant gated, tree lined, avenue.
Today it stands as a rare example of a 19th century two storied villa that features heart kauri floors and sawdust
insulation.
In a pioneering initiative that sparked an industry and a Waitakere tradition Cranwell planted apples, pears, peaches
and citrus trees. After Cranwell and several others showed the way, fruit growing became a key industry – and a way of
life - in Henderson.
Robert Cranwell died in 1916 but his grand-daughter Dr Lucy Cranwell became an internationally known botanist and was
for many years botanist at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
ENDS