The Last Resort
The Ups and Downs of Buying a Stately Manor Follow the wild, inspiring, and sometimes chaotic journey of Katrina McLarin and her wife Brenda Laverick as they trade in the ordinary for the extraordinary—purchasing and restoring Casa Nova House, a breathtaking 1861 Oamaru Stone mansion nestled in New Zealand’s stunning South Island. From entrepreneurial dreams to real-life drama, this podcast dives into the highs, lows, and unexpected twists of taking on a historic property with no manual and no safety net. It’s a story of bold decisions, personal reinvention, and the power of saying yes to the unknown. Whether you're into historic homes, renovation adventures, or stories of love and transformation, this is a journey you won’t want to miss.
Episodes
Series 1 of The Last Resort Podcast comes to a close with this final, reflective episode of Casa Nova House – The Journey. Over the past five years, Katrina McLarin has shared the highs, lows, and everything in between of restoring and transforming Casa Nova House. From its grand Victorian beginnings in 1861 to its modern-day reinvention, this stunning mansion has weathered the test of time and continues to adapt and thrive.
In this...
Despite a series of unexpected obstacles, Katrina and Brenda remain determined to turn their dream into reality. From a fallen tree blocking their path to a damaged car, nothing can stop them from working toward opening their business to the public. However, with winter fast approaching and timing working against them, they are forced to adjust their plans and postpone their debut.
In this episode, follow their journey as they navig...
Battling a pandemic and tackling extensive renovations is one thing—but facing the possibility that it may all be for nothing? That's where Katrina and Brenda find themselves in this episode. As the Casa Nova House project becomes one of the most challenging endeavors they've ever taken on, the stakes rise when they are forced into a hearing that could determine their future.
With their dream restaurant hanging in the bala...
163 years of history come to life as Katrina is joined by Sarah Gallagher, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Area Manager for Otago & Southland. Together, they explore the rich past of Casa Nova House, uncovering a tragic love story tied to its original owner, and tracing the evolution of this grand mansion—including over 60 years as a beloved hospitality hub.
In this episode, Sarah and Katrina reveal thrilling historical secr...
With funding finally secured, major renovations at Casa Nova House are ready to begin—until the world comes to a screeching halt. As Covid-19 sweeps across the globe, Katrina and Brenda find themselves in lockdown, juggling halted progress, limited income, and growing financial pressure.
In this episode, hear how they navigate isolation in a half-renovated mansion, facing uncertainty with grit, humor, and just enough toilet paper—bu...
Expect the unexpected—now a daily mantra in the early stages of restoring Casa Nova House. In the dead of winter, with freezing temperatures and no heating, Katrina and Brenda brave the elements to begin breathing life back into this once-grand old lady.
This episode dives into the gritty reality of heritage repairs, the surprises hidden behind old walls, and the determination it takes to turn a crumbling mansion into a future maste...
The dream of relocating to New Zealand’s stunning South Island takes an unexpected turn. As Katrina and Brenda enter a tense bidding war for the majestic Casa Nova House, emotions run high—and victory comes at a surprising cost.
Though they secure the keys to their dream mansion, they find themselves unexpectedly homeless in the town they’ve fallen in love with. In this episode, follow the highs and lows of winning big… and starting...
What starts as a simple bicycling holiday turns into a life-changing adventure. Join host Katrina McLarin and her wife Brenda Laverick as a few unexpected twists of fate lead them to stumble upon the charming town of Oamaru—and eventually, a forgotten treasure: Casa Nova House.
In this episode, you’ll hear the serendipitous story of how they discovered this secluded 1861 stone mansion nestled among the trees in New Zealand’s South I...
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