The Last Resort Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:56:49 -0500 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327485 en-nz © 2026 The Last Resort yes 084534a0-e610-5d40-8b00-9bcfeabaaa56 Katrina H McLarin episodic false 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.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Katrina H McLarin https://storage.buzzsprout.com/fhvifd02wuo7pftltndnjlqhurz0?.jpg The Last Resort Katrina H McLarin Ep 8 - New Home in Italian Ep 8 - New Home in Italian 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 episode, Katrina reflects on the remarkable journey of restoring this historic treasure and turning it into a vibrant future. Casa Nova House’s story is far from over, and its legacy will undoubtedly remain a significant part of history for generations to come.

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> 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 episode, Katrina reflects on the remarkable journey of restoring this historic treasure and turning it into a vibrant future. Casa Nova House’s story is far from over, and its legacy will undoubtedly remain a significant part of history for generations to come.

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> https://casanovahouse.co.nz/ Katrina McLarin Buzzsprout-15465807 Wed, 24 Jul 2024 17:00:00 +1200 3363 Casa Nova House, Entrepreneur, hospitality, historic home, South Island, Oamaru, relocation, luxurybnb, New Zealand life, stately home, renovation adventure, LGBTQ+ couple, dream home, heritage restoration, starting over, life change, house purchase, emot 1 8 full false Ep 7 - Lagoon Fish & Flying Sauces Ep 7 - Lagoon Fish & Flying Sauces 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 navigate the unpredictable road to opening Casa Nova to guests, and discover how their resilience is tested yet again.

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> 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 navigate the unpredictable road to opening Casa Nova to guests, and discover how their resilience is tested yet again.

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> https://casanovahouse.co.nz/ Katrina McLarin Buzzsprout-15321025 Thu, 27 Jun 2024 19:00:00 +1200 2359 Casa Nova House, Entrepreneur, hospitality, historic home, South Island, Oamaru, relocation, luxurybnb, New Zealand life, stately home, renovation adventure, LGBTQ+ couple, dream home, heritage restoration, starting over, life change, house purchase, emot 1 7 full false Ep 6 - Expect the Unexpected Ep 6 - Expect the Unexpected 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 balance, Katrina and Brenda are left waiting on tenterhooks. Just when they think they’ve weathered the worst, the universe deals another blow, leaving them questioning if their dream will ever become a reality. The journey takes a dramatic turn—will they triumph, or is the sky really falling?

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> 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 balance, Katrina and Brenda are left waiting on tenterhooks. Just when they think they’ve weathered the worst, the universe deals another blow, leaving them questioning if their dream will ever become a reality. The journey takes a dramatic turn—will they triumph, or is the sky really falling?

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> https://casanovahouse.co.nz/ Katrina McLarin Buzzsprout-15098032 Mon, 20 May 2024 16:00:00 +1200 3166 Casa Nova House, Entrepreneur, hospitality, historic home, South Island, Oamaru, relocation, luxurybnb, real estate journey, bidding war, New Zealand life, stately home, renovation adventure, LGBTQ+ couple, dream home, moving mishaps, heritage restoration 1 6 full false Ep 5 - Honouring the Past & Inspiring the Future Ep 5 - Honouring the Past & Inspiring the Future 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 secrets about Casa Nova, dive into the fascinating heritage of Oamaru’s historic precinct, and discuss the plans for securing its future.

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> 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 secrets about Casa Nova, dive into the fascinating heritage of Oamaru’s historic precinct, and discuss the plans for securing its future.

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> https://casanovahouse.co.nz/ Katrina McLarin Buzzsprout-14995031 Thu, 02 May 2024 16:00:00 +1200 3954 Casa Nova House, Entrepreneur, hospitality, historic home, South Island, Oamaru, relocation, luxurybnb, real estate journey, bidding war, New Zealand life, stately home, renovation adventure, LGBTQ+ couple, dream home, moving mishaps, heritage restoration 1 5 full false Ep 4 - Just a Little World-Wide Pandemic Ep 4 - Just a Little World-Wide Pandemic 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—but maybe not enough paint. Will their dream survive a global pandemic?

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> 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—but maybe not enough paint. Will their dream survive a global pandemic?

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> https://casanovahouse.co.nz/ Katrina McLarin Buzzsprout-14897429 Tue, 16 Apr 2024 17:00:00 +1200 3099 Casa Nova House, Entrepreneur, hospitality, historic home, South Island, Oamaru, relocation, luxurybnb, real estate journey, bidding war, New Zealand life, stately home, renovation adventure, LGBTQ+ couple, dream home, moving mishaps, heritage restoration 1 4 full false Ep 3 - Exploding Radiators Ep 3 - Exploding Radiators 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 masterpiece—one cold day at a time.

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> 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 masterpiece—one cold day at a time.

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> https://casanovahouse.co.nz/ Katrina McLarin Buzzsprout-14831125 Fri, 05 Apr 2024 14:00:00 +1300 3392 Casa Nova House, Entrepreneur, hospitality, historic home, South Island, Oamaru, relocation, luxurybnb, real estate journey, bidding war, New Zealand life, stately home, renovation adventure, LGBTQ+ couple, dream home, moving mishaps, heritage restoration 1 3 full false Ep 2 - April Fool's Day Ep 2 - April Fool's Day 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 from scratch.

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> 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 from scratch.

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> https://casanovahouse.co.nz/ Katrina McLarin Buzzsprout-14734221 Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:00:00 +1300 2212 Entrepreneur, hospitality, Casa Nova House, historic home, South Island, Oamaru, relocation, luxurybnb, real estate journey, bidding war, New Zealand life, stately home, renovation adventure, LGBTQ+ couple, dream home, moving mishaps, heritage restoration 1 2 full false Ep 1 - I'd Move for the Pies Ep 1 - I'd Move for the Pies 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 Island—and what sparked their bold decision to make it their own.

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> 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 Island—and what sparked their bold decision to make it their own.

Casa Nova House - The Journey

]]> https://casanovahouse.co.nz/ Katrina McLarin Buzzsprout-14656540 Sat, 09 Mar 2024 19:00:00 +1300 2299 Entrepreneur, hospitality, historic, luxurybnb, renovation, New Zealand, Oamaru, stately home, heritage property, lifestyle change, real estate journey, LGBTQ+, travel, fixer upper, inspirational, bold decisions, South Island, hidden gem, dream home, rest 1 1 full false