A historic homestead in Canterbury has been destroyed by fire.
Fire crews battled to save The Waireka homestead near Darfield, believed to date back to 1871, with five trucks at the scene during the peak.
Malvern Community Board chair John Morten said the home is completely destroyed, in a sad occurrence for the family that owns it.
The dwelling had connections with the Broughton family, which includes Selwyn District Mayor Sam Broughton.
It was considered architecturally significant as a well-preserved mid-Victorian farmhouse.
