Despite a cold and wet day, our members extended a very warm welcome to our New Zealand Founders National President Raymond Mudford, his wife Annette, National Secretary Carolyn Adams, and National Treasurer Kathy Dent. 

Havelock North Club, our lunch venue, located in the heart of the Village, was established in 1949.  It has amazing views of Te Mata Peak and the surrounding region.  

Prior to lunch, President Raymond spoke to our members on the various options being considered by New Zealand Founders National Executive members regarding the future of New Zealand Founders Society.    

Following lunch, we boarded the coach for the short drive out to Kahuranaki Station to visit “Marties Red Shed”. This “barnlike structure” houses the Greenwood family memorabilia and the farm chattels of six generations. Greenwoods have owned and farmed the land since 1924. Kahuranaki is described as a hill country farm with conditions like no other farm in Hawke’s Bay. Carrie Greenwood and her husband Martin A’Court lived, farmed and raised two sons at Kahuranaki Station for over thirty years. Martin, who sadly passed away in 2021, built the Red Shed in 2010.  As older Greenwood relatives died, their stuff had to go somewhere, so Martin extended the shed as the collection grew. Prior to purchasing Kahuranaki, Carrie’s grandparents Roger and Dorothy Greenwood and then Danforth their son (and Carrie’s father) and family lived at Duart House in Havelock North from 1926-72, travelling to and from the farm for work.

The first immigrant arrivals were Dr John Danforth Greenwood, his wife Sarah and six of their (future) thirteen children, arriving in Wellington in 1843 having invested in the New Zealand Company. With his service as Ship’s Doctor, the investment included a package of land – 1 acre in Wellington, 1 acre in Nelson and 50 acres in Motueka. As ship’s doctor Danforth delivered his wife’s seventh child, Alfred, during the voyage. Sarah was a constant and vivid letter writer and it is due to these communications that such detailed information about that first generation of the pioneering Greenwood family exists. 

PHOTOS:

1       Members preparing for lunch at Havelock North Club

2       President Raymond has spotted something interesting

3       Sitting Room Display