The current Tinui Station Homestead is the third incarnation of a homestead building for Tinui Station, recently renovated within the bones of the original homestead built sometime around 1917. The size of the original Tinui Station farm holding was between 23,000 and 26,000 acres, and included the Tinui Taipo ( Taipo means devil spirit), the rocky outcrop well known to the Rangitane and Ngāti Kahungunu tribes of the Wairarapa. The Taipo was believed to influence the success or failure of fishing trips. After returning home to their pa after a day of bad fishing, karakias were sung to appease the Taipo and ensure a more successful trip the following day.

As well as being a site of importance for local iwi, the Taipo is the site of one of NZ’s earliest World War One memorials, the Tinui Cross. The cross was unveiled on Anzac Day 1916 to commemorate the Landing of the Allied Forces on the Gallipoli Peninsula the previous year. Visitors are welcome to hike up to the cross site through the Homestead’s private bush area, which takes approximately 40 minutes. Access is also available via the council path from the Tinui cemetery located further along Castlepoint Road.

The Taipo sandstone catchment area collects rainwater which is slowly filtered down through the rock, re-emerging as the Tinui Spring, the main source of water for both Tinui Village and Tinui Station Homestead. The Spring has been reliably flowing for many centuries and is the water supply for the Cottages and Spa Pools. Relaxing in the outdoor spa pools in such pure spring water is always highlighted by our guests as a rare and special experience.

The current owner is endeavouring to maintain and restore the Homestead's 58ha to a pesticide and agri-chemical free environment, a thriving habitat for insects, birds, trees, and  native plants. All guests are asked to respect the principles of the property, by disposing of any cigarette butts and refuse in the supplied receptacle, putting recyclables in the appropriate individual bins, adding their food scraps to the compost, and treating any creatures they come into contact with on the property with  care and respect.

The Homestead is the owner’s private residence, but you are welcome to enjoy the wider grounds, including the farm paddocks and bush leading up to the Taipo.

Please do not drive above 10kmph on the driveways as the beloved felines are used to having a 58ha paradise to roam around and are therefore unfamiliar with moving cars.

Please respect the privacy of other guests.