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The Otago Peninsular, located near Dunedin is a world-renowned wildlife destination known as the “Wildlife Capital of New Zealand”. The scenic drive running parallel to the harbour with its sheltered bays are stunning. It was on one of these drives that I spotted a Cornish connection. It was one of those head turning moments “was that a house with a Cornish name”? - too late to stop. A return journey was needed. So, on a wet and misty January Sunday, my husband and I set off to find that house. With no harbour view distractions, all eyes were on the houses.
Winding our way down the peninsular we eventually arrived at Broad Bay, and there it was. The House is elevated and set back from the road, overlooking the bay. Appropriately named “Chy-an-Dowr” The Cornish word - Chi an Dowr, meaning house of the water.
The story of this house and its owners Susan and Herman van Velthoven can be found on the Broad Bay Community Centre website broadbay.co.nz/stories/chy-an-dowr-broad-bay/
Judy Wright
March 2026
A second Cornish connection associated to this name is the small settlement of Chyandour (different spelling) that is located within the town of Penzance in West Cornwall.
Historically, it was a significant industrial district known for its large tin smelting works, which operated until 1911.
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