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 on 19 July 1896.[1]

Career

edit

Matthews was mostly involved in roading construction.[2]

Personal life

edit

Matthews was passionate for horticulture and was a fellow of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. He was a member of the New Zealand Rhododendron Association and founded the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust.[2]

Tūpare

edit

Matthews bought a property in New Plymouth in 1932 to build a homestead and establish a garden. Matthews named the property Tūpare.[2]

Honours

edit

Matthews 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]

In 2018, Matthews was posthumously inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.[5]

References

edit
  1. Donald, Mary. "Russell Matthews". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 Skyes, Caitlyn, ed. (Winter 2024). "House and garden". Heritage New Zealand. No. 173. Heritage New Zealand. p. 7. ISSN 2253-5330.
  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.
  5. "Past laureates". Business Hall of Fame. Retrieved 19 February 2023.