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'{{Infobox building | name = Highwic | native_name = | native_name_lang = | former_names = | alternate_names = | status = Historic house museum | image = Highwic Above Newmarket NZ.jpg | image_alt = | image_size = 250px | caption = | map_type = | map_alt = | map_caption = | altitude = | building_type = | architectural_style = [[Carpenter Gothic]] | structural_system = | cost = | ren_cost = | client = | owner = | current_tenants = | landlord = | location = | address = 40 Gillies Avenue, Epsom (off Mortimer Pass Newmarket) | location_town = | location_country = New Zealand | iso_region = NZ | coordinates_display = inline,title | coordinates_format = dms | latitude = -36.8718 | longitude = 174.7749 | latd = | latm = | lats = | latNS = | longd = | longm = | longs = | longEW = | coordinates = | groundbreaking_date = | start_date = | completion_date = | opened_date = 1981 | inauguration_date = | renovation_date = | demolition_date = | destruction_date = | height = | architectural = | tip = | antenna_spire = | roof = | top_floor = | observatory = | other_dimensions = | floor_count = | floor_area = | seating_type = | seating_capacity = | elevator_count = | architect = | architecture_firm = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | civil_engineer = | other_designers = | quantity_surveyor = | main_contractor = | awards = | designations = | ren_architect = | ren_firm = | ren_str_engineer = | ren_serv_engineer = | ren_civ_engineer = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | ren_awards = | parking = | url = | references = | highest_region = | highest_reflabel = | highest_prev = | highest_start = | highest_end = | highest_next = | embedded = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=NZ Category I|designation1_number=18|designation1_date=7 Apr 1983}} }} == The Sweet Villa of Highwic == Highwic is a historic house in Newmarket, New Zealand that was formerly registered by [[New Zealand Historic Places Trust]] (now Heritage New Zealand) as a Category I structure <ref name="NZHPT 18">{{NZHPT|18|Highwic|18 February 2013}}</ref> and is also one of [[New Zealand Automobile Association|AA Travel's]] "101 Must-Do's for Kiwis".<ref>[http://www.aatravel.co.nz/101/info/Highwic_1330.htm Highwic - AA Travel]</ref> Highwic is open to the public Wednesday to Sunday from 10.30 to 4.30. Highwic is available for [http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/auckland-region/highwic/venue-hire weddings, birthday celebrations, photography, filming, television and corporate functions]. Highwic has an [http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/auckland-region/highwic/education education programme] that is suitable for learners of all ages, with a particular emphasis on the primary age range.<ref>[http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/auckland-region/highwic]</ref> ==== Origin and construction ==== Highwic is a large house of [[Carpenter Gothic]] design that was built for a wealthy colonial settler and landowner - Alfred Buckland. The building was erected in an elevated position looking out over the nineteenth-century township of [[Newmarket, New Zealand|Newmarket]]. In 1861, the land was purchased by Alfred's first wife Eliza for £1,000. The family with seven children, moved in to the house in 1862. Eliza Buckland had two more children during her short time alive in her new house, she died of pneumonia in July 1866. The original eight room house was extended in 1874, 1883 and 1884 as the Buckland family grew bigger and their wealth and prestige increased. Alfred Buckland married Matilda Jane Frodsham in May 1867. Matilda was twenty years younger than Alfred and went on to have eleven children of her own, nine of them surviving to adulthood. Matilda outlived Alfred, spending her declining years at Highiwc. The building included a ballroom, seven bedrooms, a boy's dormitory, a laundry, kitchen, scullery, outside stables, grooms accommodation, a billiard house, and a service yard. By the early 20th century two inside bathrooms were added with baths, hand basins, flushing toilets and hot and cold water on tap! Family descendants who lived in the house until 1978 made alterations of their own. The property was then jointly purchased by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (now Heritage New Zealand) and Auckland City Council to save the site from subdivision.<ref name="SweetVilla">{{cite book|author1=Jan Harris|author2=|title=Sweet Villa of Highwic - The Story of Highwic and the Buckland Family|url=http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=rmR7MQAACAAJ&dq=isbn:090857732X&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OrwqUcDvN-HvmAXSmIGQDA&redir_esc=y|accessdate=25 February 2013|year=1996|publisher=|isbn=0-908577-32-X|page=}}</ref> Highwic was opened as a historic house museum in 1981.<ref name="NZHPT 18" /> ==== Functions and celebrations ==== A reception for the Duke of Kent and Katharine, Duchess of Kent was held at Highwic in 1980. There was also a ball to aid the New Zealand Blood Foundation in 1982. The ball generated a substantial article in the New Zealand Woman's Weekly magazine. ==== The Twelve Days of Christmas ==== In 1985, an exhibition known as "The Twelve Days of Christmas" involved Christmas items such as Christmas decorations, Christmas cards, Christmas trees, Christmas carol singing, floral arrangements and wreaths in addition to antique dolls and toys. There was also a display explaining Christmas legends and symbolism, as well as a gift shop. One of the large Norfolk Island Pine trees in the grounds was covered with eight hundred lights. On a few occasions, there were also candlelit rooms. ==== 150th anniversary ==== In 2012, year-long celebrations were planned to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the building including high tea at the house, seeing a collection of Victorian era costumes and floral arrangements as part of the Festival of Flowers plus music and arts.<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/7227222/Highwic-celebrates-150th-anniversary Highwic celebrates 150th anniversary]</ref> That year, Highwic became the main attraction of several Auckland Heritage Festival events.<ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1209/S00670/highwic-to-come-under-close-scrutiny.htm Highwic to come under close scrutiny]</ref> The concert ''A Song Without Words'' celebrated the work of students of Felix Mendelssohn in the ballroom.<ref>[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1209/S00041/song-without-words-at-highwic.htm Song Without Words at Highwic]</ref> ==== Filming ==== The building has been used in filming for music acts such as [[Bic Runga]], [[Rhys Darby]], [[The Naked and Famous]] and [[Goldenhorse]] in addition to fast food chains such as [[Burger King]] and [[Hell Pizza]] and also television shows such as [[The Jono Project]].<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/east-bays-courier/6146011/Highwics-life-in-films Highwic’s life in films]</ref> ==== Claimed hauntings ==== Highwic is considered to be one of the “spookiest” places in [[Auckland]] as there have been claimed sightings of a ghost in a bedroom.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10764117 Ghost hunters in for the chill]</ref> It is also said to be the home to a ghostly canine. A spokeswoman claimed that a black dog has been seen running across the garden to the property’s boundary.<ref>[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=10806805 Haunted by the memory of these visits]</ref> With its new exterior paint work and tasteful interior restorations timed for the 150th anniversary Highwic is one of [http://www.heritage.org.nz/ Heritage New Zealand's] premier visitor destinations. Besides the house a visit to Highwic must include a walk through the [http://www.gardenstovisit.co.nz/public-gardens/highwic-garden.aspx award winning gardens] A visit to Auckland wouldn't be complete without spending a few hours at Highwic, time enough too to visit the well stocked [https://www.facebook.com/Highwic?fref=ts gift shop]. For visitors who don't have the time or luggage space to browse the gift shop at Highwic, then a look at the Heritage New Zealand [http://shop.heritage.org.nz/ online shop] should satisfy every requirement for a gift from '[[Aotearoa|The Land of The Long White Cloud]]' from the wide selection of heritage and [[Kiwiana]] themed items. == Events and Exhibitions == Highwic has regular [http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/auckland-region/highwic/events-and-exhibitions events and exhibitions] throughout the year. Currently the [http://www.aeg.org.nz/ Auckland Embroiders' Guild] have work on display in the house on the theme '[http://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/auckland-region/highwic/events-and-exhibitions/floral-fantasy-exhibition Floral Fantasy]', well worth a visit on a winter afternoon. == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Historic house museums in New Zealand]] [[Category:Reportedly haunted locations in New Zealand]] [[Category:Museums in Auckland]] [[Category:NZHPT Category I listings in the Auckland Region]] [[Category:Carpenter Gothic houses]]'