The family behind the renovation of Dunedin's Larnach Castle are celebrating half a century in residence.
It was built 145 years ago, but the Barker family has been there for the past 50 years.
Nestled on the Otago Peninsula, the castle is known for its spectacular views and impressive gardens.
Built by William Larnach in 1871, it was home to the colonial entrepreneur and politician until he shot himself in Parliament, aged 65.
"Larnach was one of the founders of many, many businesses and social legislation in New Zealand. So there's all of that, it's not just the building," Larnach Castle founding director Margaret Barker says.
The grand mansion fell into disrepair in the years following Mr Larnach's death.
Used for a time as a mental asylum, one owner even considered demolition.
Then in 1967, Margaret Barker and her late husband Barry bought the castle - an unplanned purchase during a road trip.
"We were from Wellington and we were doing the big tour around the South Island in our Kombi van - because this was the 60s," Ms Barker says.
The couple quickly moved in, juggling family life with the huge task of restoring the derelict castle and 14 hectares of grounds to its former glory.
"[Our] First child was born six weeks after we arrived so we were doing everything at once. I hadn't quite realised what we'd taken on," she says.
"Every time it rained, the rain used to come basically straight through these ceilings and we would grab the pots and pans out of the kitchen and run around and grab them all. So a fair distance from what it is now," director Norcombe Barker says.
It's now one of the country's top tourist attractions, telling the story of New Zealand's Victorian history.
The castle also has its fair share of ghost stories.
"There's a lot of stories. I've seen a few people come out with some interesting expressions after they've seen a few things. Never seen anything myself, never want to," Mr Barker says.
A range of festivities will run alongside the 50th anniversary exhibition, celebrating New Zealand's grandest castle.
Newshub.
