# Ruatuna
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{{Short description|Historic house in New Zealand}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Ruatuna
| native_name =
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| image = File:Ruatuna 2019.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Ruatuna
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| altitude =
| building_type =
| architectural_style = [Georgian](/source/Georgian_architecture), [Gothic](/source/Gothic_architecture)
| structural_system =
| known_for = Relation to [Gordon Coates](/source/Gordon_Coates)
| cost =
| client =
| owner = Heritage New Zealand
| current_tenants =
| landlord =
| address = 441 Tinopai Road, Matakohe
| coordinates = {{coord|36|9|54.21|S|174|10|18.02|E|region:NZ_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| mapframe = no
| construction_start_date =
| completion_date = 1877
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| main_contractor = Samuel Cooksey
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| embedded = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=NZ Category I|designation1_number=[https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/7/7 7]|designation1_date=23 June 1983}}
| url =
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}}
'''Ruatuna''' is a historic [homestead](/source/homestead_(building)) in New Zealand. Constructed for Edward Coates in 1877, Ruatuna was the home of [Gordon Coates](/source/Gordon_Coates)—the 21st prime minister of New Zealand—before he entered politics. The Coates family owned Ruatuna until 1976, when it was donated to the [New Zealand Historic Places Trust](/source/New_Zealand_Historic_Places_Trust). Today the building is managed by [Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand) and is registered as a category 1 building.
==Description==
Ruatuna is located on an elevated section that overlooks both the surrounding farmland and [Kaipara Harbour](/source/Kaipara_Harbour). Ruatuna features both [Georgian](/source/Georgian_architecture) and [Gothic](/source/Gothic_revival_architecture) elements. It is a [kauri](/source/kauri) timber single-storey structure with a [gable](/source/gable)d roof, the front has a [verandah](/source/verandah) with the sides having [lean-to](/source/lean-to)s extending outward. The Coates family describe it as being based upon a Scottish hunting lodge and elements of the building such as the Gothic elements may have been used to create a connection between the building and the English [gentry](/source/gentry). Outbuildings include a [dairy](/source/dairy), shed, privy, a cottage (demolished {{circa}} 1961), a woolshed, stables, and a tennis court.[{{cite web |last1=McKenzie |first2=Martin|last2=Jones|first1=Joan |title=Ruatuna |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/7/7 |website=[Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand) |date=6 June 2008}}]
The interior of the homestead is preserved as a museum by [Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand) and contains [ephemera](/source/ephemera), portraits of the Coates family, and a large book collection.[{{cite magazine|title=Ancient Words|first1=Sahar|last1=lone|issn=1175-9615|issue=176|date=Autumn 2025|publisher=[Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand) |pages=30–33|editor-first=Anna|editor-last=Dunlop|magazine=[Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand_(magazine)) }}]
==History==
thumb|Ruatuna {{circa}}1905
Edward Coates, a member of the English gentry, arrived in New Zealand in 1866 later obtaining {{cvt|12,830|acres}} of land and began importing sheep and cattle breeds, including the first [Shropshire sheep](/source/Shropshire_sheep) and [Hereford cattle](/source/Hereford_cattle), and transforming the grounds into orchards and fields. Ruatuna was built in advance of Edward Coates' marriage. Samuel Cooksey, a local builder, was contracted to construct it and construction began and finished in 1877. In 1893 the homestead was extended to provide a room for [Gordon Coates](/source/Gordon_Coates) and a schoolroom for his sister. In 1900 Gordon was helping run the farm along with his brother, he continued to run the farm until 1905 when he was elected to the [Otamatea County Council](/source/Otamatea_County_Council). By the early 1900s the Coates had the largest flock of Shropshires in the country.[{{cite report|title=Conservation of Ruatuna Homestead (Q08/576), Matakohe, Kaipara|first1=Caroline|last1=Phillips|date=2013}}] as an endowment for the site.[{{cite report|title=Archaeological Recording and Conservation of the Garage, Ruatuna Homestead (Q08/576), Matakohe, Kaipara|date=2012|first1=Caroline|last1=Phillips}}]
Restoration was undertaken at the homestead around 2011.