Last updated May 2026
Pukekohe Pioneer Cottage is one of the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the Franklin district — a colonial settler cottage built circa 1859 by John Martyn near Ramarama, which was moved to its current location at Roulston Park on Stadium Drive and restored as a heritage site. It is maintained by the Franklin Historical Society and is open to the public on the first and third Sunday of each month. Entry is by donation.
Practical Information
| Location | Roulston Park, Stadium Drive, Pukekohe |
| Open | 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, 11am–3pm |
| Entry | By donation |
| Managed by | Franklin Historical Society |
| Parking | Free at Roulston Park |
| Opened as heritage site | October 1965 (Pukekohe Centennial) |
About the Cottage
The Pukekohe Pioneer Cottage was originally built by John Martyn around 1859 near the Great South Road at Ramarama — one of the earliest permanent timber structures erected by European settlers in the Franklin district. The cottage was constructed from locally sourced native timber using techniques typical of early colonial building: hand-worked timber framing, simple joinery, and a functional layout designed for rural life in a newly settled region.
The cottage was gifted to the people of Pukekohe by the Holmes family and officially opened at Roulston Park during the Pukekohe Centennial celebrations in 1965. It was relocated to its current site on Stadium Drive for preservation and public access, where it has been maintained by the Franklin Historical Society ever since.
NZ Wars History
The cottage has a direct connection to the New Zealand Wars of 1863. In the months following its construction, the Waikato War brought British troops and local militia to the Franklin district. The Martyn cottage was among the buildings in the area that were briefly garrisoned by British troops as the military presence spread through the region. This connection to the earliest years of European settlement and the conflicts of the 1860s adds significant historical weight to what is otherwise a modest rural structure.
For those interested in the wider NZ Wars context in the Franklin district, the Pukekohe East Presbyterian Church — a short drive from the township — is the primary battle site in the area, with bullet holes in the original building from the 1863 siege still visible.
Franklin Historical Society
The Franklin Historical Society has maintained and interpreted the Pioneer Cottage since its establishment as a public heritage site. The society holds public monthly meetings and manages the building’s preservation and volunteer staffing on open days. Members of the society are typically present during open hours to talk visitors through the cottage’s history and the broader history of the Franklin district. The society also holds records, photographs, and documentary material on the Pukekohe area.
What Visitors Say
TripAdvisor visitors describe the Pioneer Cottage as a well-maintained and informative small heritage site — noting the volunteer staff’s depth of knowledge about the Franklin district’s history and the cottage’s good condition given its age.
Where to Learn More
Franklin Life NZ — Pukekohe’s Pioneer Cottage — detailed article on the cottage’s history, relocation, and significance to the Franklin district.
NZ Museums — Pukekohe Pioneer Cottage — entry in the national museum directory with collection and access information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pukekohe Pioneer Cottage?
The cottage is at Roulston Park, Stadium Drive, Pukekohe — in the same park complex as the Pukekohe Stadium.
When is Pukekohe Pioneer Cottage open?
The cottage is open to the public on the first and third Sunday of each month, from 11am to 3pm.
How much does it cost to visit?
Entry is by donation. There is no set admission charge.
Who runs Pukekohe Pioneer Cottage?
The cottage is maintained and staffed by the Franklin Historical Society, which manages it as a public heritage site.
How old is the Pukekohe Pioneer Cottage?
The cottage was built circa 1859 by John Martyn — making it over 165 years old. It is one of the oldest surviving settler buildings in the Franklin district.
What is the NZ Wars connection at the Pioneer Cottage?
The cottage was garrisoned by British troops during the Waikato War of 1863. For a more significant NZ Wars site in the district, visit the Pukekohe East Presbyterian Church, where a battle was fought and original bullet holes remain in the building.
For more heritage sites in Pukekohe, see the Pukekohe East Presbyterian Church — the primary NZ Wars battle site in the district. The parks in Pukekohe hub includes Roulston Park and all the main reserves in the township.
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