Having lived in Hamilton for more than 30 years, Renée and Kevin moved to Gladstone in 2022 to experience a rural lifestyle. They were drawn by the tranquility and have embraced the sense of community that is shared in this small slice of paradise.
Constructed in 2009, The Summit Lodge is situated in the rural Gladstone district of Wairarapa with views of rolling hills, farmland and the Tararua Ranges. From bare sheep paddock beginnings, over 2 acres of gardens are planted with mainly NZ natives as well as a variety of fruit trees.
Gladstone receives lower than average rainfall for the Wairarapa, so the gardens are designed to match the local conditions. The diverse and emerging eco-system has an abundant birdlife.
Solar panels harness the energy of the sun, 4 large tanks capture and store rainwater, and all wastewater is treated on-site and recycled to the garden. Leftovers are composted and packaging is recycled. Energy and water are conserved, and local products and services are used whenever possible.
Gladstone is regarded as one of the most picturesque parts of the Wairarapa. Close enough to Martinborough, Greytown, Carterton and Masterton as well the coastal resorts of Castlepoint and Riversdale; Gladstone is on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail and is an ideal base from which to explore the Wairarapa region.
Street address, 4 Admiral Road, Gladstone, Masterton
(some GPS systems come up with Wellington)
90 minutes from Wellington
3 hours from Napier
80 minutes from Palmerston North
20 minutes to Masterton and Carterton
