Chatham Islands: Stone House
Chatham Islands are very sparsely populated with only about 600 people living here, all in one town in the center of the islands, called Waitangi. But the most isolated house is the historic Stone House, nearly 50km north from Waitangi in gravel roads and then across pastureland. The house dates back to the mid-19th century and is completely made from stone. Ot was built as a missionary outpost but never converted anybody since nobody lives around. It stands near a beautiful beach and underneath a huge rocky hill. And a woman, Helen Bint, still lives here alone! There’s no electricity or cellphone, but there is a land line and a wood burning stove. And a solar panel. Everything inside and outside the house seems stuck in the time warp of yesteryear – furniture, paintings, clothing, and overly clustered dusty interior. But the house and the landscape around are absolutely stunning. And it’s listed as number one historical attraction for Chatham and even broader for New Zealand.
