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Local Characters

Up close with the people in our community

Arthur Riddell
Local Characters News 

Farewell Arthur

August 3, 2021October 11, 2021 N8N 0 Comments Arthur Riddell, Gordonton people, Woodlands Arthur Riddell

“A true gentleman and role model who will be sadly missed” – words used to describe Gordonton’s Arthur Riddell, who passed away peacefully on 20 July. 

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Photo of Bill Darbyshire
Local Characters 

Chasing rusty iron

May 24, 2021 N8N 0 Comments Antique tractors, Bill Darbyshire Puketaha, Old tractors, Waikato Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club

  There’s no such thing as a barn too big, or too many barns, for Puketaha’s Bill Darbyshire. He talked

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Photo of Bill Smith
Local Characters 

The birdman of Komakarau

February 1, 2020May 24, 2021 Annette Taylor 5 Comments Bill Smith, bird rescue Gordonton, Bird rescue in Waikato, Gordonton birdman, helping native birds in the Waikato, the birdman of Gordonton

Meet Bill Smith, who rescues injured, wild birds at his Komakarau property in rural Waikato. Annette Taylor meets some of his recent patients.

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Photo of Pare Hopa
History Home Range Local Characters News 

From Gordonton to Oxford and back

November 11, 2018October 22, 2021 N8N 11 Comments 125th anniversary gordonton school, Dr Ngapare Hopa, First Maori woman Phd Oxford, Gordonton history, Gordonton School reunion

The first Maori woman to gain a PhD – from Oxford, no less – began her educational journey at Gordonton School 78 years ago. Meet Dr Ngapare Hopa.

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Country Cooking Local Characters News 

Dishing it up at Prof’s

February 26, 2018June 11, 2020 N8N 0 Comments country cooking waikato, food in and around gordonton, Gordonton cafes, Kate Wilson cafe owner, Profs@Woodlands, Waikato recipes

Chilli garlic prawns are perfect on the barbie. Meet Kate Wilson who has taken over the cafe at Woodlands and created Prof’s Cafe in Gordonton.

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Calligraphy
Local Characters News 

The Write Stuff

February 14, 2018June 20, 2020 Annette Taylor 6 Comments Gordonton artists, Gordonton calligraphy, Learning old fashioned writing, Marian Riddell Calligraphy

From her home studio in rural Gordonton Marian Riddell produces beautiful, eye-catching calligraphy.  Have a look at some of her work here.

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