Hurworth Cottage was the first homestead of Taranaki pioneer Harry Atkinson who held many civic positions until he became Premier of New Zealand, a position he held four times. The cottage was donated to Heritage New Zealand in 1967 and was restored to its original size and appearance. It has an attractive garden in a rural setting and contains period furniture and family mementos. Hurworth is typical of early settler's dwellings in its simplicity – rectangular in shape, clad in vertical board and batten with a pitched roof and French doors opening onto a four-sided veranda. Graffiti from the New Zealand Wars was uncovered during restoration which continues to fascinate visitors today.