The homestead was built in 1915 on a small rise at the south-western part of the Mungavin farm in Porirua East. Over time, the grounds were progressively reduced by the encroachment of transport infrastructure work and by state housing development. The first serious reduction came in 1928 when a large block of land to the west was appropriated by the government to construct the rail line. In the late 1940s compulsory acquisition of a large section of the farm for state housing development drastically reduced the size of the estate. In 1958 the family sold the property. After it passed out of family hands, the house had a variety of uses, including the No.41 Air Training Corps squadron, the Salvation Army and the Hartham Centre, an arts and craft society. The building became progressively run down and there was debate concerning whether it should be restored or demolished. After vigorous debate, the Porirua City Council purchased the house in 1986-1987 for community use and it stood vacant pending motorway works, a future move, and restoration. Late in 1987 the homestead was moved 38 metres to the east to create space for a slip road to the Mungavin Interchange; the building remained vacant. In both 1988 and 1989 there were serious fires, both arsons, which caused significant damage to the house. The building was subsequently restored by Porirua City Council and then converted into a restaurant which opened in 1990. In 2017 it housed a branch of the Little India restaurant franchise. It has also been known as Mungavin Blues Restaurant and Mungavin House Restaurant.
Mungavin Homestead (Porirua, N.Z.)
Mungavin homestead in Porirua, damaged by fire - Photograph taken by Phil Reid
Date: 30 Mar 1988
From: Dominion Post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers
By: Reid, Philip John, 1954-
Reference: EP/1988/1475-F
Description: Mungavin homestead in Porirua, damaged by fire. Photograph taken 30 March, 1988 by Evening Post staff photographer Phil Reid. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s) 35mm strip with 3 images. Physical Description: Cellulose triacetate negatives, 35mm
Interview with Peter Gerard Besseling
Date: 20 February 1993 - 20 Feb 1993
From: New Zealand Netherlands Foundation oral history project
By: Besseling, Peter Gerard, 1946-
Reference: OHInt-0132/18
Description: Peter Gerard Besseling born Kolhorn (Netherlands), family moved to Schagen. Recalls military training at Amersfoort and Oirschot near Eindhoven. Describes his training at chef school; work experience in Doesburg and gives an interesting description of township / village and other parts of Holland. Discusses his marriage in 1968; travelling on the Ellinis and arrival in New Zealand 1969 and work experience in New Zealand before they started Mungavin House Restaurant in 1990. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Porirua Interviewer(s) - Ros Lambrechtson Venue - Mungavin House Restaurant Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-005424-005427; OHLC-001367-001370 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3.15 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-1042.
Copies of newspaper advertising
Date: Date unknown
From: Kirkcaldie & Stains Ltd: Papers and records
Reference: fMS-Papers-12209-40
Description: Photocopies of newspaper advertising, two of which are mounted on card. Most of the copies show advertising for Kirkcaldie & Stains. Several copies of pages from a 1920 newspaper that do not have Kirkcaldie & Stains related content, and some of which have overprinted a menu for Mungavin House, a Porirua restaurant. Also includes a copy of a drawing of Waterloo House, Kirkcaldie & Stains' first store building. It is possible these copies were created to be used in centenary or later anniversary celebrations. Title supplied by Library. Arrangement: Originally in a container with ephemera items. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Photocopies of newspaper pages, and an off-set print on photographic paper.