Russell Matthews

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]

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

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.
  5. "Past laureates". Business Hall of Fame. Retrieved 19 February 2023.


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