PHOTO: HARCOURTS – Westoe, in Rangitīkei, near Marton, was built in 1874, and has been in the Howard family since 1885.

This 144-year-old homestead has only ever been owned by two families, but now it’s looking for a third.

Current owners Jim and Diana Howard moved out of the Rangitīkei homestead nine years ago to settle in nearby Marton, and ever since they’ve tried to find family members prepared to take it on – the family has owned the house since 1885.

“My sister’s daughter and her family came down from Auckland and shifted in,” says Jim Howard. “They lasted four years, and then a younger cousin jumped at the chance to live there, but they left after splitting up, and the property has been in limbo ever since.

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