Restoration of a historic homestead built by a Katikati pioneering family has taken a step backwards with volunteers finding the building's entire back exterior is leaking.

And while repairs to make Athenree Homestead weatherproof will not cost much – the building's trust chair says it's another hurdle in restoring the homestead to its former glory.

Leaky Athenree Homestead 1331 MF 001: Athenree Homestead Trust Anne Ashdown and Don Fraser stand near the building's back exterior which is leaking and requires repair.

Trish Coates estimates, taking into account generous local business discounts, that the repair is going cost about $1000 – and she hopes to get grants to cover it.

'But it needs to be done urgently, so we have to delve into our cash fund and re-claim it back later.

'But obviously anything we end up having to pay for means we haven't got that money to do stage two with.”

The back exterior was boarded up when the old kitchen was removed about 10 years ago. 'When done it was probably envisaged the second stage wouldn't be far behind – that was why it was temporarily patched up,” says Trish.

'Half of the restoration [of the building] has been done but the other half is still to be done and the wall at the back of the homestead is actually an interior wall. It wasn't completely finished – it was sort of closed in [for future renovation] but over time it has not proved too watertight,” says Trish.

Wet weather has highlighted the leak – creating the barrier to further develop the homestead.

It was originally built by Captain Hugh and Adela Stewart as they arrived on the Lady Jocelyn in 1878. Hugh's brother George Vesey Stewart was founder of the Katikati settlement. As a result, the homestead and its contents are a precious part of the Katikati district's heritage.

In the 1940s the homestead fell into disrepair and was re-purchased in 1986 by the Rapley family with an aim to restore it. Athenree Homestead Trust was formed 1995.

Volunteer Don Fraser says when the kitchen was pulled off the building was never properly sealed and has floor joists sticking out.

'Local builder Lloyd McGechie has stepped up and volunteered to fix it and we will dig drains so water doesn't run underneath the building.”

If anyone would like to donate to the repair – or to volunteer at the homestead, with a committed outdoor handyman being in desperate need, call 07 549 2110 or 07 863 5661.