Jump to content

Russell Matthews

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Themangolorien (talk | contribs) at 09:18, 6 February 2022 (Tupare mentions). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Sir Russell Matthews OBE (19 July 1896 – 25 November 1987) was a New Zealand civil engineer, roading contractor, businessman, horticulturist and philanthropist. He was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand, on 19 July 1896.[1] Together with his wife Mary, Matthews purchased a property on Mangorei Road, New Plymouth in 1931 and began developing a substantial garden during the Great Depression. The garden, which was named Tūpare, is owned by the Taranaki Regional Council and has been awarded a six star rating by the New Zealand Garden Council, one of only 13 in New Zealand.[2]

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1971 New Year Honours, for services to the community,[3] and a Knight Bachelor in the 1982 New Year Honours, for services to horticulture and the community.[4]

References

  1. ^ Donald, Mary. "Russell Matthews". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  2. ^ "History of Tupare". Taranaki Regional Council. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  3. ^ London Gazette (supplement), No. 45264, 31 December 1970. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  4. ^ "No. 48839". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 31 December 1981. p. 39.