A CENTURY IN THE MAKING - THE NEXT CHAPTER BELONGS TO YOU

40 Rothschild Terrace is more than a home — it is 4.9 hectares of rare Waiheke coastline with a history as rich as its soil. From the late 1800s kauri villa built as a wedding gift, to its award-winning organic vineyard and the private conservation islands reached at low tide, this estate is one of a kind. With riparian rights, sweeping beachfront lawns, and space for a new legacy home, it is a place where generations have played, worked, and dreamed.

This estate offers more than its current beauty, it holds the possibility for future vision. While all plans would be subject to the appropriate consents and approvals, the property provides the scale and character to imagine what could be. From extending the villa or expanding the vineyard, to exploring reinstatement of a historic jetty, adding a private helipad, or even developing a boutique retreat, the opportunities invite buyers to consider how they might add to the story of this place.

THE HISTORY

Perched on the tranquil shores of Ōakura Bay, 40 Rothschild Terrace holds more than just sweeping ocean views – it carries over a century of history, heritage, and heart. This is not just a property; it is a place where generations have left their mark and where the next custodian will have the rare opportunity to write their own chapter.

The story begins in the late 19th century with the Dewitt family, closely tied to the Belgian Consulate, who farmed the surrounding headland. Around 1896, as a wedding gift, they began constructing a kauri villa – a masterpiece of native timber and handmade bricks, barged to Auckland for firing before returning to the bay. The home rose in an era when craftsmanship meant permanence, and the gardens still hold traces of its brickmaking past.

In 1910, the property passed to the O’Brien family, linked to the Dewitts by marriage. The villa became a warm and welcoming family homestead, sheltering visitors, sailors, and – in one memorable 1950s storm – a stranded honeymoon couple, John and Eve Bollard, who would unknowingly become central to the property’s future.

  • Owners: Dewitt Family (Belgian Consulate ties)

    In the late 1800s, the Dewitt family farmed the headland, shaping the land as it is today. Around 1896, a kauri villa was built as a wedding gift, using native kauri timber and handmade bricks from local clay. Each brick was barged to Auckland for firing before returning to be laid in the home’s walls. Remnants of this brickmaking heritage remain in the gardens today.

  • Owners: O’Brien Family

    Through marriage, the property passed to the O’Brien family, becoming a cherished homestead for hosting visitors and sailors. In the 1950s, the villa famously sheltered a young couple stranded on their honeymoon — a moment that would return decades later to shape the estate’s story.

  • Owners: Maurine Pupkin Rothschild & Robert Friend Rothschild

    Acquired by the Rothschilds in the mid-20th century, the estate was kept as a discreet retreat during the Cold War — a ‘bolt hole’ far from international tensions. While rarely used, it stood ready as a sanctuary, awaiting its next chapter.

  • Owners: R. John Bollard & Eve Bollard

    In 1981, John and Eve Bollard — the same couple sheltered in the 1950s — made the estate their own. They restored the villa, planted a 2-hectare certified organic vineyard producing Syrah, Malbec, Chardonnay, and Merlot for award-winning wineries, and carved a hillside wine cellar into the land. The property became a place of gathering, flavour, and family legacy.

  • Owner: Bollard Family

    Inherited by John’s family, the estate continues to blend history and innovation. The family has preserved its heritage while opening its gates for new generations to create memories. Today, it spans 4.95 hectares, a private vineyard, four islands, and 1.7 km of coastline.

Black and white photo of a coastal landscape with a house near the shoreline, trees, sandy beach, rocky cliffs, and a body of water with islands in the distance.

By the mid-20th century, the estate caught the attention of prominent New Yorkers Maurine and Robert Friend Rothschild. Known for their philanthropy in the arts, education, and social justice, they saw the secluded bay as a safe harbour during the Cold War, holding it as a private retreat but never developing it.

In the early 1980s, ownership briefly passed to Chris Reeves, a well-known Waiheke local, before fate brought John and Eve Bollard back. Now a NASA collaborator and New Zealand Honorary Consul for the Pacific Northwest, John returned to the very villa that had once given him refuge. He and Eve restored its kauri charm, planted a 2-hectare certified organic vineyard producing Syrah, Malbec, Chardonnay, and Merlot for acclaimed wineries, and built a natural hillside wine cellar alongside a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired vineyard workshop.

Following John’s passing in 2014, the family inherited the estate. The family always ensured the villa remained a family home and occasional rental, keeping its historic essence alive while welcoming new generations to its shores.

Today, the property spans 4.95 hectares with riparian rights across the Ōakura Bay beachfront and part of Te Whau Bay – a privilege almost impossible to obtain on Waiheke today. It includes a private beach, the vineyard, and the famed Sisters Islands, conservation jewels that can be reached by a natural low-tide walking path. From sunrise to sunset, the tides reshape the landscape, creating an ever-changing backdrop for fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and sunset gatherings.

To own 40 Rothschild Terrace is to inherit not just land, but legacy – a place where history, beauty, and possibility meet. It is an estate for someone who sees more than just a home; someone who understands the privilege of guardianship and the joy of adding their own imprint to a story already more than 125 years in the making.

SHAPING YOUR LEGACY

  • A sailboat named Twiggy floating on calm water during sunset, with a hillside and several other boats in the background.

    PRIVATE MOORING

    A former private mooring presents an opportunity to reinstate convenient access for your vessel. Local specialists are available to assist. Imagine boating from Auckland for the weekend, mooring offshore, and stepping onto your private beach.

  • Outdoor wedding ceremony setup on a grassy lakeside with rows of chairs, potted plants, and a white fabric-draped arch, with water and hilly landscape in the background.

    EVENT CAPABILITY

    The estate previously held consent for a wedding venue where a celebrity celebration was hosted. Whether vineyard tours, weddings, luxury retreats, or boutique accommodation, the potential for events and hospitality is extensive.

  • A scenic view of a coastal landscape with a vineyard in the foreground, lush green trees, and a calm blue bay with small islands and a marina in the background under a clear blue sky.

    ELEVATED BUILDING PLATFORM

    Positioned just behind the vineyard at the estate’s highest point, this site offers panoramic views across Te Whau Bay, Okura Bay, Kennedy Point, and out to the night sky and city lights. A rare opportunity to design a dream Waiheke home with elevated outlooks.

  • A peaceful view of a large lake with several sailboats anchored in the distance, surrounded by green hills and trees, under a clear blue sky.

    JETTY REINSTATEMENT

    The property once featured a historic jetty, with potential to explore re-establishing it. We can connect you with local expertise to guide the process, unlocking enhanced boating access directly from your shoreline.

  • Aerial view of a coastal area with green fields, trees, and several houses along the shoreline. The water is turquoise, with a small beach area visible.

    VINEYARD EXPANSION

    With proven success and award-winning grapes, expansion of the existing vineyard is a natural progression. This could also create potential for a cellar door experience to showcase the estate’s wines.

  • A house by the water at sunset, with a grassy lawn in the foreground, trees on a hill in the background, and the sun setting over the horizon.

    VILLA EXTENSION

    The character-filled Kauri villa offers scope for thoughtful extension, providing additional beachfront living and entertainment spaces while preserving its charm.

  • A father and son wading through shallow water at a beach with small rocks, under a clear blue sky, near a lush green island.

    ISLAND WALKS/FISHING

    The private islands are accessible at low tide, perfect for scenic walks, day trips, or simply observing dolphins, orca, and seals in the bay. Excellent fishing grounds nearby mean a sea-to-plate lifestyle within minutes.

  • Aerial view of a beach with white sand, turquoise water, and a house surrounded by trees and green grass.

    BOAT SHED / HELICOPTER HANGER

    Consider reinstating the former boatshed or creating a dedicated helicopter hangar or pad. The estate offers ample space for permanent access options that complement a luxury lifestyle.

  • A house with a red roof and chimney near a grassy shoreline, overlooking a calm body of water with small islands and lush green trees under a blue sky.

    LUXURY LODGE

    The scale and setting of the estate provide an exceptional foundation for a landmark luxury lodge, positioning it among the most exclusive destinations on Waiheke.