The NZ House & Garden House Tours are the largest charity house tour in New Zealand, run in support of the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation, and this year I'm happy to announce that Hawke's Bay will be involved. “We’re thrilled to be launching the 2017 tours in Hawke’s Bay this year, giving locals and visitors the opportunity to step inside some of the area’s most beautiful and intriguing homes,” says Sally Duggan, Editor of NZ House & Garden.

The tour takes in nine homes scattered from Havelock North to Te Awanga and Haumoana. It includes a heritage-listed property built in 1926 and painstakingly restored by its current owners, and a spacious Andy Coltart-designed modern farmhouse with sweeping views.

Three of the houses on the tour have an artistic connection: a peaceful home alongside a creek designed by celebrated Maori architect John Scott for his artist daughter Ema which, she says, is like “living within a sculpture”; artist Dick Frizzell’s former home and studio at Haumoana, which Duggan describes as “a happy collision between Cape Cod and the Kiwi bach”; and artist Rae West’s haven, a rustic collection of humble buildings set around a central courtyard inspired by the owners’ travels in Mexico. We styled Rae's home for a photo shoot last year, so we're very familiar with this fantastic home.

Three cute but comfortable cottages at the beach settlement of Te Awanga prove that small can be chic. “The tiny-house movement is still going strong,” says Duggan, “and renovating former baches for living in permanently is an option that keys into this trend.”

A double-storey homestead that once stood proud on a Napier hillside and was relocated to become a family-friendly retreat in Clive, rounds out the line-up. “The homes on this tour truly reflect the diverse lifestyle that Hawke’s Bay offers,” says Duggan. “It’s little wonder that so many people are moving there from our bigger cities.”

The Hawke’s Bay tour will be held on Friday 24th February from 10am to 4pm. The tour Hub at Red Barrel Vineyard - 265 Te Mata Road, Havelock North - is open from 8.30am - 5pm so you can meet up with friends, and wind down here once you've finished your tour. You can also hear more about the work that The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation are doing, and meet the House and Garden Associate Editor Rosemary Barraclough from 12-2pm.

It's going to be a fabulous day raising money for a very important cause, we are so looking forward to being inspired by the variety of beautiful homes. If you haven't already, get your tickets here, and we hope to see you on the day.