About the Trust
Ngaio Marsh House and Heritage Trust is a small voluntary-run charitable trust dedicated to :
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Restoring and preserving Ngaio Marsh House and Garden and opening it to the public, enriching the national cultural heritage of New Zealand
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Encouraging an appreciation and study of the literary and dramatic achievements of Dame Ngaio Marsh.
Former Trust Chairman Colin McLachlan was on the committee that raised the funds to purchase Ngaio Marsh House, one of many people who have dedicated their spare time to the House and Dame Ngaio’s story.
After Dame Ngaio’s death in 1982, Ngaio Marsh House was inherited by a cousin and rented out, until a dedicated group of local people set up a fundraising appeal to buy the property. Thanks to the support of the community, including a partial loan from Christchurch City Council, the house was purchased by the newly-formed Ngaio Marsh House and Heritage Trust, and opened to the public in 1996.
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A good part of our collections remain in the ownership of Dame Ngaio’s family, and we cannot thank them enough for their continued support, and for allowing us to care for these precious items.
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This incredible tradition of kaitiakitanga (stewardship) from the local community and from her whanau (family) is part of what makes Ngaio Marsh House so special.
Strategic Plan, 2023-2028
The Trust has published its Strategic Plan. This document sets out our vision, strategic themes and action plan to ensure we continue to deliver on our kaupapa (vision) that the home, works and memory of Ngaio Marsh are known, enjoyed and appreciated by present and future generations.
The Friends of Ngaio Marsh
We're a group of Ngaio enthusiasts who play an important role in supporting the Ngaio Marsh House and Heritage Trust. Many people know Ngaio Marsh as a crime novelist - but she was much more! The Friends of Ngaio Marsh are involved in a range of activities and fundraisers which help increase the community's awareness of Ngaio as an artist, a crime writer, a playwright and theatre producer.
We welcome new volunteers who would like to join the group and support us in promoting the legacy of Dame Ngaio Marsh.
Activity you can become involved in includes:
maintaining, cataloguing and archiving the unique and precious collection, research projects, general housekeeping, gardening (one morning a week throughout the year for weeding, pruning and chat!), acting as a tour guide (you will be trained) and organising and promoting events including open days, artists in the garden event and our annual short story competition.
Volunteer With Us
