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Historic site · Kerikeri, Northland
Stone Store and Kemp House
The two oldest buildings in New Zealand, at the Kerikeri Mission: Kemp House, a timber house from 1822, and the Stone Store, a stone warehouse from the 1830s, on the riverbank.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Stone Store and Kemp House
The Kerikeri Mission sits in the Kerikeri River basin, about 2 km from the town center, at the point where the river widens before reaching the bay. There the Church Missionary Society, an Anglican mission society, established one of its first bases in the country in 1819, with the protection of Māori chief Hongi Hika.
Kemp House, built in 1821 and 1822, is the oldest surviving European building still standing in New Zealand. The two-storey wooden house served as housing for missionaries and later for the Kemp family for more than a century. The visit shows the rooms furnished with period furniture and the surrounding garden.
Next door is the Stone Store, the mission’s warehouse built in the 1830s and the oldest stone building in the country. The ground floor operates as a shop with products inspired by those sold at the time; the upper floors house an exhibition about the mission’s trade and life. The site is cared for by Heritage New Zealand.
On the opposite bank, Kororipo Hill was a pā, a fortified village of Hongi Hika; a path with information panels leads up to the site. From the bridge and the riverbank you get views of the two buildings with the river in front.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 to 2 hours for Kemp House, the Stone Store and the Kororipo path.
Best time
In the morning, when the light hits the façades as seen from the riverbank. Guided tours of Kemp House run at times throughout the day; check before you go.
How to get there
By car or bicycle, about 2 km from Kerikeri town centre via Kerikeri Road to the river basin, with parking on site. From Paihia it’s about 25 km.
Tip
Start at Kemp House and then go up to the Stone Store exhibition. From there the riverside trail leads to Rainbow Falls, which you can combine in the same outing.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Stone Store and Kemp House
What is the oldest building in New Zealand?
Kemp House, the wooden house from 1821–1822 at the Kerikeri Mission. Next door, the Stone Store is the country’s oldest stone building.
How long does the visit to the Stone Store and Kemp House take?
Between one and two hours for both buildings and the path up to Kororipo Hill.
Is the visit to Kemp House paid?
Yes, guided tours of Kemp House and the Stone Store exhibition have an admission fee; check the current rates.
Can you walk from the Stone Store to Rainbow Falls?
Yes, via the riverside trail along the Kerikeri River, taking about one to one and a half hours one-way.