Colleen Hawkes
Colleen Hawkes
Journalist specialising in property, housing, architecture and design stories.

Latest articles By Colleen Hawkes

Gardener’s Rest is the name given to this huge award-winning renovation project by Megan Edwards Architects with Zoë Carafice Landscape Studio. Photo: Sam Hartnett
‘God’s work’: From earthquake-damaged church to social housing, and the 1880s villa given new life

The Here Awards honour an 1880s villa renovation and a Christchurch church transformed into social housing.

23 October 2026

Glade House in Remuera was a ‘60s house that took on a whole new lease of life with a redesign that captured the original Modernist essence. It has been in the same ownership for the past 25 years. Photo: NZ Sotheby's
‘Having two native bushes is probably a bit much for us’: the couple moving on from their Remuera retreat

An award-winning Modernist home tucked into native bush is on the market after 25 years.

15 October 2026

At the top of this four-and-a-half-level home in Roseneath, Wellington, the main living area opens out to a landscaped patio. The lines of the windows and stacker doors reflect a distinct Modernist influence. Photo: Lowe & Co
‘I used to run past and watch this massive excavation into the side of the mountain’

After 10 years restoring Chisholm House, a Dunedin family is ready to pass on the historic home.

10 October 2026

Originally, the owners of this beautiful waterfront property in Point Chevalier were going to build an extra house on this land, but decided they would rather give their children space to play. Photo: NZ Sotheby's
Largest waterfront property in Point Chevalier listed; fish on the doorstep

Point Chevalier waterfront home offers a private jetty, huge grounds and stunning harbour views.

7 October 2026

Bankton in central Dunedin is one of the city’s oldest “significant” homes - it was built for the Rev Dr Thomas Burns in 1868, and has been owned by the Kennedy family for the past 41 years. It is now listed for sale. Photo: Columbs & Co
‘It’s not pretentious; it’s homely’: Stunning Dunedin home with huge history dates back to 1868

Historic Dunedin home built in 1868 has been lovingly cared for by one family for 41 years.

7 October 2026

Four generations of the Campbell family have enjoyed holidays in this original crib in Warrington, north of Dunedin, first arriving by train or bus. It is listed for sale after 63 years. Photo: Nidd Realty
‘Mum realised the only way we could ever have a decent holiday was to buy a crib’

Family beach crib bought in 1963 has remained in the family for 63 years.

7 October 2026

Coromandel’s sole Earthship house in Hikuai has come to market for the first time. Te Timatanga was built in 2015 by Sarah Rowe and Gus Anning. They are pictured with the children during the build. From left, Leo Anning, Gus, Sarah, Toby McNabb, Bryony McNabb. Photo: Pete May
Five million views later, the Kiwi Earthship that stunned Grand Designs is up for sale

The Coromandel’s famous Earthship, featured on Grand Designs NZ, is on the market for the first time.

2 October 2026

Spread over two titles, this 1669m² Timaru property is a grand home in every sense of the word. But it wasn’t always this large. Photo: Harcourts
Just two families in 80 years have embraced the character of this traditional beauty

After 80 years with two families, this grand Timaru home is ready for its next chapter.

1 October 2026

Rāwhiti, which is Māori for sunrise or east, takes its name from its east-facing elevation. Once a prominent house built for Palmerston’s mayor, it has remained in the Hopkins-Wilson family for around 125 years. Photo: BE Real Estate
125 years, one family: Historic mayor’s house goes on the market ‘as is, where is’

Historic Palmerston mayor’s home stays in one family for 125 years before its sale as is.

23 September 2026

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