About
Living the dream
The dream began in 2016 when driving back from visiting family in Karamea. A for sale sign beckoned. I was sold when I saw the banana palms. So after selling my house in Dunedin the 11 acre dream began. Below are some pics of what Gumboot Paradise used to look like.
Meet the team
Peaches the cat can generally be found relaxing in the bus or occasionally she will be seen out and about when she does her rounds.
Shelly, aka Gumboot Girl, is the mastermind, creative genius and general dogsbody of Gumboot Paradise. You will find me in the bus or the garden.
If you can’t find me call 022 0137 900
Mumma and Dadda the Muscovy ducks are the proud parents of 7 baby ducklings as of November 2024. You will find them in the orchard.
The Legend of the ‘Gumboot’ and the Lost Gold Krugerands
Legend has it that Gumboot Paradise was once owned by a man who built a Wild West set for an American film company. The company came and saw and filmed then left three days later. He said “what do you want to do with this set” and they said to do whatever you want with it. He built himself a house out of plywood and covered it with butanol (a black rubbery material). It looked a bit like a large gumboot so “the Gumboot” was what the place was called by the locals- I added the Paradise part later.
The story continues that at some stage a guy who liked to drink too much lived here. Apparently he had a whole bunch of Gold Krugerrands (possibly from the war). One night he got so drunk and paranoid that he went and moved his gold but in the morning he could not remember where he had put it and it has never been found to this day. Many locals have asked to come onto my land and hunt for the gold but I have said NO!!!!
One person has said they thought there could have been as many as 150 Krugerrands. Each one weighs one ounce. At today’s price of $2700 per coin that would come to over $400,000. More than enough for my dream Pole Shed and a tree house as well.
“The Gumboot” was a notorious party house, often having up to 4 bands playing. One person, who shall remain nameless, came to one of the parties dressed in a superman costume, standing up on the seat of his tractor, steering with his foot while holding the supeman pose. Now I would love to see a photo of that, and “The Gumboot” of course.