365 Days | #34 | Frank Sargeson House

Visit Frank Sargeson’s cottage at 14A Esmonde Road Takapuna where the renowned writer lived from 1931 until he died in 1982. It’s a simple fibrolite bach which retains some remnants of the life he led there, often entertaining and mentoring other local writers such as Janet Frame. As a child, I often saw Sargeson (black beret on his head and a sack thrown over his shoulder) walking between his home and the shops at Takapuna. Young as I was, I was completely unaware there was anything significant about this odd little man yet I grew up to love and admire his writing. The house is opened on certain occasions (like the North Shore Heritage Festival in September each year), or you can arrange a private viewing through the Takapuna library in The Strand, Takapuna.