The former Ohoka Gatekeeper's Lodge, a category-two listed building with Heritage New Zealand, is set to be transferred to the Ohoka Domain, near Rangiora, and restored.
Waimakariri district councillors approved a proposal at a meeting earlier this month to take over ownership of the building at no cost.
Mayor David Ayers said he welcomed the decision.
''I think it's good that one of our historic buildings is to survive and be placed on public land, with a local community group working to preserve it.
''While it needs quite a bit of work, it's certainly restorable, which is good news for the district.''
The Ohoka Domain Advisory Group, a council-appointed committee, has secured funding to pay for the move, as well as foundation costs, which would then allow restoration to begin. It is expected to take several years to complete.
Once restored, the advisory group and the wider community intended putting historical items on display inside.
The former gatekeeper's lodge was originally at the Whites Rd end of the Ohoka estate, but was more recently moved to a property on Jacksons Rd, where it has since fallen into disrepair.
The community was consulted on the project as part of the recently completed Ohoka Domain Concept Plan, approved by the Oxford-Ohoka Community Board.
Cr Wendy Doody said she was pleased to support the motion for the council to take over the ownership, as the lodge was ''very important for the Ohoka community''.
Cr Al Blackie asked whether the council would be responsible for the ''ghost'', which allegedly still wandered the former lodge, but council community and recreation manager Craig Sargison said he did not have ''that level of detail''.
Council staff will now produce a heads of agreement to be signed by the council and the advisory group.
-By David Hill
