The Stone Store New Zealand

About

Established in 1819, Kerikeri Mission Station is home to two of New Zealand's oldest buildings:
The Stone Store (1836) is NZ's oldest stone building and the oldest store.
Kemp House (1822) is NZ's oldest standing building.

Story

Kerikeri Mission Station is home to New Zealand’s oldest standing European buildings, the Stone Store and Kemp House.

The first trading post in New Zealand, the Stone Store continues to trade today and also holds an interactive museum about the first encounters between Maori and Missionaries.

Kemp House was built amidst turbulence and war, under the protection of Maori chief Hongi Hika of nearby Kororipo Pa. Kemp House can be viewed on tour, where the guides bring to life stories about the first relationships forged between Maori and the Missionaries.

Enjoy the heritage roses, the riverbank orchard and English ‘cottage garden’ flowerbeds that encircle this historic site. New Zealand’s oldest garden, is also a 5 star Garden of National Significance.

Guided Tours of Kemp House depart daily from the Stone Store, the ground floor also features a shop in the bulk store and trade room. The tour also includes access to the Stone Store museum which is self-guided. The Honey House Café is open during the summer season and is situated near the footbridge, on the riverbank.

(Guided Tour of Kemp House Duration: 30 minutes, Stone Store Museum Duration: at your own leisure. Unfortunately, both buildings do not have wheel chair access.)