The Last Resort

Katrina H McLarin
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  • Entrepreneurship
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The Last Resort Follow the wild, inspiring, and sometimes chaotic restoration journey of Katrina McLarin and her wife, Brenda Laverick, as they bring Casa Nova House — a magnificent 1861 Oamaru Stone mansion in New Zealand’s South Island — back to life. What began as a bold decision to buy a historic home soon became something much bigger: a hands-on adventure filled with restoration challenges, unexpected discoveries, big dreams, financial realities, laughter, frustration, and more than a few surprises along the way. The Last Resort takes you behind the scenes of what it really means to restore and reinvent a heritage property when there’s no instruction manual and no guarantee that everything will go according to plan. From uncovering the history hidden within the walls to navigating renovations, business ideas, relationships, setbacks and triumphs, Katrina and Brenda share the real story — the good, the bad, and the completely unexpected. If you love historic homes, renovation adventures, New Zealand heritage, entrepreneurial stories, or tales of people taking a chance on something extraordinary, The Last Resort is for you.

Episodes

  1. 07/24/2024

    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

    Ep 8 - New Home in Italian

  2. 06/27/2024

    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

    Ep 7 - Lagoon Fish & Flying Sauces

  3. 05/20/2024

    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

    Ep 6 - Expect the Unexpected

  4. 05/02/2024

    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

    Ep 5 - Honouring the Past & Inspiring the Future

  5. 04/16/2024

    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

    Ep 4 - Just a Little World-Wide Pandemic

  6. 04/05/2024

    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

    Ep 3 - Exploding Radiators

  7. 03/21/2024

    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

    Ep 2 - April Fool's Day

  8. 03/09/2024

    I'd Move for the Pies

    A bicycling holiday and a few twists of fate leads our host and her wife to stumble across a hidden gem, the town of Oamaru and the eventual discovery of Casa Nova House. In this episode you will find out about the discovery and the journey to purchase this stately mansion secluded by trees and off the beaten track in the South Island of New Zealand. Casa Nova House - The Journey

  • 8 Episodes

About

The Last Resort Follow the wild, inspiring, and sometimes chaotic restoration journey of Katrina McLarin and her wife, Brenda Laverick, as they bring Casa Nova House — a magnificent 1861 Oamaru Stone mansion in New Zealand’s South Island — back to life. What began as a bold decision to buy a historic home soon became something much bigger: a hands-on adventure filled with restoration challenges, unexpected discoveries, big dreams, financial realities, laughter, frustration, and more than a few surprises along the way. The Last Resort takes you behind the scenes of what it really means to restore and reinvent a heritage property when there’s no instruction manual and no guarantee that everything will go according to plan. From uncovering the history hidden within the walls to navigating renovations, business ideas, relationships, setbacks and triumphs, Katrina and Brenda share the real story — the good, the bad, and the completely unexpected. If you love historic homes, renovation adventures, New Zealand heritage, entrepreneurial stories, or tales of people taking a chance on something extraordinary, The Last Resort is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Katrina H McLarin
  • Years Active
    2024
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Last Resort
  • Show Website
    The Last Resort