Creative Cradle

Wander the house and gardens that inspired our greatest writer.

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Tinakori Rd, a spine of asphalt running from Thorndon Quay to the Botanical Gardens, is Katherine Mansfield territory. She lived here twice on the cusp of the 20th century, striding through a raw, blustery landscape she’d weave into stories such as The Garden Party. These days, however, Thorndon is Jacinda Ardern country. Today’s visitor is more likely to inquire about the chance of a “selfie” with our Prime Minister, currently resident, together with her partner, Clarke Gayford, and baby Neve, at Premier House at 260 Tinakori Rd. Gayford confesses the first family have barely had time to check out their new location. “We've only ventured up Tinakori Rd a couple of times. The antique and curio shops have been catching my magpie eye but I haven’t had time to explore properly yet,” he told the Listener. Their spacious, t