Welcome to Sherwood Lodge - the ideal setting for rest and relaxation.
A Little Bit of History for those who are interested...
Sheep
Both Waiau and North Canterbury were "built on the sheep's back." European settlers arrived in the mid 1800's, determined to use the land to better themselves. The vast Canterbury plains seemed perfect for sheep and the push to expand pasture and land holdings took off.
The gentry who moved north purchased or squatted on holdings that literally ran from the mountains to the sea - in the 1850's the Amuri district was owned by some 9 families, whose individual holdings ran from 18,000 to 89,000 acres.
The 1860's to 1900 saw a vast increase in the money to be made from sheep farming, especially with the introduction of refrigerated shipping. A land boom in the 1870s and the government of the 1880's & 1890's forced the breakup of the large farm blocks to enable more people to share in the wealth generated by sheep.
Major subdivisions of the area occurred throughout the early 1900's, bringing more families and larger settlements to the area. Farming of sheep for wool and meat, aided by the arrival of the railway and roads, helped continued to drive the North Canterbury economy.
Sherwood Farm Estate
George Rutherford first took up the Sherwood run in 1863 when he obtained a licence for what was known as the Lottery Country in the Waiau district, North Canterbury. Lying on both sides of the Lottery River, the run covered 7000 acres and was managed by George's brother Walter.
In 1907, Edward Percy Harold Burbury, who married Duncan Rutherford's eldest daughter, Amy, acquired the property. The station's original homestead was located across the river from the present one (designed by Wilford Melville Lawry), which Edward commissioned in 1910 for his bride. The second story was added in 1928.
In 1946, one of Edward and Amy's sons, Percy Ian Burbury, returned from serving in the RNZAF with his English wife, Bunty. Percy and Bunty took over Sherwood Estate, then consisting of 2500 acres, and raised four daughters - Anna, Julia, Sara and Phillipa.
Two years after taking over the farm, a massive earthquake struck, resulting in substantial damage to the roof, chimneys and upper story of the house.
In 1971, Percy died after a farm accident, and the property was sold in 1978. The property continued to be farmed until 1993, when it was subdivided into two lots - the farm (which was sold) and the homestead and 36 acres, which was developed into the lodge as it stands today.
Waiau Township
Waiau township dates from the 1860's and has grown as the area surrounding it has grown. It was primarily a stopping point on the road north, with accommodation houses established by the river crossing (and later one of the longest single lane bridges in the country) over the Waiau river. The township also acted as a focal point and service centre for the local farmers.
The small town of Waiau is now home to around 250 people. It serves as a social centre for the area, with school, churches, supply stores, hotel, sports clubs and library.
