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MICHAEL JOHN ASPIN
4. MICHAEL JOHN (JACK) married CATHERINE ELIZABETH
JOHANSON at the School House, Avoca, Dargaville on 14th
November 1906.
View Michael and Catherine's Marriage Certificate here.
Their seven children –
(1) CHRISTINA (TEANIE)
(dec’d)
m Ivan Wedding (dec’d)
Elva Therese
m Patrick Charles William Shine
Bernard Kim
m
Sheryl Diane Greenwood
Niketta Kim
Lennon Bradley
Sivana Monique
Gavin William
m
Raewyn Gail Jolly
Chelsea Emma
Amber Therese)
Serena Ailsa )Twins
Jasmine Sarah
Christine Ann
m
Paul William Stitt
Joel Paul
Sophia Rose
Julia Ann
Vaughan Patrick
m
Michelle Tracey Matthews
Kayla Shavaughan
Luke Richard
Carl Frederick
m
Tania Leigh Parkyn
Andre Clark
Dylan Brent
Keenan Patrick
Patricia Mary
m
Peter Selwyn Yerkovich
Cody Carlece
Crispin Patrick Lionel
Alana Therese
Lewis John (dec’d)
m
Ada Johnson
Jule
m Robert Stanyon
Alison
Richard
Sheral
m Steven Meha
Adam )
John ) Twins
Sara
Helen
Ivan Paul (dec’d)
m
June Cassidy
Leon Paul
m Rose
Kerry
Maree
m Shane
Tigan
Mathew Bruce
Mary Catherine (dec'd)
Patrick Hugh
m
Margaret Williams
Jason Reginald
Marcus Patrick
m Janine Monk
Jessica Catherine
Aliesha
Ebony
Janine Margaret
Adele Amelia Yvette
Christopher Clive
m
Geraldine Williams
Theresa
Denise
Christopher
m Catherine
Flynn Shalom
Luca Beth
Francis Martin
m
Jeanette Florian
Tinealle
Joshua
Anthony Terrence
m
Diane Sheedy
Angela Christine
Katrina
Michelle Elva
(2)
JOHN HERMAN (JACK) (dec’d)
m Connie Ellen Holmes
Ellen
m Patrick O'Sullivan (dec’d)
Patrick
m
Andrea Karl
Patrick Joseph
Finn Peter
Bowen Seamus
Sean Francis
Bridget Constance
m
Rob Kitchin
Ryan Robin
Shea Christopher
Bridie Mira
Mary-Ellen
Michael
&
Deanna Rudd
Remana Francis
Fiona Marie
Shamus Finbar (dec'd)
Liam Christopher
John
m Marion Inglis
John Darren
&
Rosalie Craddock
John Ethan
(John married Leanne Purchase)
Jack Darren
Joseph Simone
Siobhan Margaret
Todd Mitchell
Leanne’s previous family
Bradley Purchase
Megan
Alan
&
Jody Thomas
Jamie Lee
(John remarried Ruth Aspin)
Howard Oscar
m Rosina Mary Gleeson
Harvey Herbert (dec'd)
Darrell Howard
&
Yvonne Knight
Karl Harvey
Harley William
Alex Bevan
&
Jill Yeandle
Kyle Alex
Sheree Mary
&
Timothy John Riley
Jakeb Oscar Aspin-Riley
Tasmin
Rosebeth Aspin-Riley
Wayne Francis
m Patricia Ann Denize
Wade Graham
Marie Louise Mary (dec'd)
Leonie Frances
m
Paul Andrew Sands
Chevelle Constance
Jordan Andrew
Murray Wayne
Connie-May
m Bob Thorn
Lara-May
Max
(3) VICTOR STANLEY (VIC) (dec’d)
m Joan Kemp (dec’d)
Garry Stanley
m Ruth Bernage
Craig
m
Brenda Janice Anderson
Jake Stanley
Ryan
Debbie
(Ruth remarried John Aspin)
Ricky (dec’d)
Bruce Peter
& Robyn Shaw
Hayden
Christin
Michael John
& Hinerangi Murray
Kelly Joan
Selwyn
m Kim Withrington
(4) WILLIAM SYLVESTER (DAN)
m Kathleen Josephine Agnes Marshall (dec’d)
Kathleen (Kay) Yvonne
m Robert (Bob) O'Reilly
Andrew
m
Natalie Stewart
Liam
Michael
Diane
m
Guy Williams
Coby Stryke
Jan
David
Margaret Frances
m Tony Weaver
Brian William
m Alma Coogan
Penny Michelle
Glen Brian
Stuart Francis
&
Donna Sixtus
Alexander William
Linda Marie
Dean Lewis
David Anthony
m Lesley Riley
Joanne Michelle
Scott
Rosemary (Rosi) Patricia
m Terrence Handscomb
Fletcher Michael
Amelia Rose
Timothey Peter George
m Karen White
Matthew James
William John (dec’d)
Christopher Timothey Dalziel
Rebecca Jane
Gillian Elizabeth Claire
Lauren Kathleen
Mark Daniel
m Wendy Talbot
Thomas Daniel Talbot
Charlotte Louise Talbot
(5)
ALMA MARY NOREEN (dec’d)
m Ross Benjamin Dryland (dec’d)
Valerie Aileen
m Frank Norman Kerrigan
Mary Frances
m
Paul
They have 2 daughters
Angela
m
Paul
They have 6 children
Anthony )
?m
Bridget
They have 2 children
Jacinta ) Twins
m
Patrick
They have 3 children
Joseph )
Paul ) Twins
Alma Margaret
Religious Sister M. Peter Claver, now Mother
Maria Salude)
Audrey Therese ) Twins
m Arthur Ronald Halliday
Michael
Anne
m
Neville Bull
Shaun Michael
Amanda Jane
Jason
Claire
Bernadette
m
John Boyd
Karli Jane
Jessica Francis
Melissa Elizabeth
Samantha
Ross Gerard
m
Toni Crook
Brooke
Jarrod Ross
Cullen
Stephen
Mark
John
m
Helena
Peter Ross
m Helen Irene Barlow
Christopher John
Maria Diane
m
John Linton Sharland
Reece Ian
Nathan Lewis
Danielle
Sharon Terese
m
Ivan Rex King
Stephanie Faye Irene
Kellum Rex
Ruth Catherine
Paul Aspin
m Gail Lorraine Briggs
Jonathan
Matthew
Timothy
Elizabeth
Andrew
Sarah
Nicholas
Roger Stephen
m Darryl Anne Briggs
Mary Anne
m
Spencer Brockband
William
Nathaniel
Angelene
Rebecca
Benjamin
Patrick
Catherine
Daniel
Ross
Luke
Rachel
Christine
Emma
Rose Marie
Joanna
(6)
AUDREY (dec’d)
m Henry Walters (dec’d)
Cathryn (dec’d)
Elizabeth
m John Read
Carl
Adele
Emily
Basil
m Anne Conroy
Bradley Basil
Rebecca Anne
(Henry remarried Vera Court.)
(7) TREVOR
m Molly Bennett
Barry James
m Wendy Maddaford
Bradley
Warwick
m
Lisa Ratahi
Cairo Cully
Tehran
Rios
Kelly-Anne
&
Warrick Hickman
Kendal
Stanley Clive
& Terry Armstrong
Louis Manu-o-te-Rangi
Neil Thomas
m Jill
Aaron
Lindsay
Haley
April
Peter Keith
m Jenny Mann
Katie
Peter
Jack
Christine Margaret
m Allan Peers
Danelle
Rhys
View
Michael Aspin's Birth Certificate here.
Michael John (Jack) Aspin
was born at Knive Downs, Queensland, Australia on the 14th
October 1878, and his birth certificate shows that Mrs
Lawson was the person in attendance. (We also note that
his certificate gives his name as 'John' without the
Michael, but his marriage certificate gives 'Michael
John'). Anyhow, he was known to all as Jack, or in the
case of his family, Pop. Like his sisters, he would have
travelled with the family to New Zealand when he was just
three years old. And also like his sisters, Jack never
received any formal education, although he did learn to
read, etc., and to write, and in his adult life any
letters he had to write he used to dictate to Kate his
wife. He knew how to construct a letter, etc., she knew
how to write - together they made a good team. Likewise
reading, although he could read a little, he never
mastered it completely, and Kate used to read things to
him. He lived on the farm at Grahams Beach, helping with
all that had to be done, be it milking the few cows, gum
digging or whatever. He grew up to become a bushman, and
travelled around in this capacity a bit, staying for some
time in Kennedy Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula, and up
Northern Wairoa, near Dargaville. At Kennedy Bay, just
after the turn of the century, he was with some of the
Short boys, along with others, and for a time his sister
Emma and her husband Jim and family were up there too.
Rugby was a game enjoyed and played by all these chaps.
Then, while he was working in the bush up Dargaville way,
he met Miss Catherine (Kate) Johanson. Kate came from Te
Kopuru but was at that time at Avoca, and Jack was at
Tangowahine, and they were married at the School House,
Avoca on the 14th November 1906, he being 28 years old and
she 17. They made their home back at Grahams Beach on the
farm, living for the first year or so with John and
Margaret Aspin. Bill Short, son of Jim and Emma, remembers
that he was with his grandfather when they went down with
the bullock wagon to meet Jack and his bride off the boat.
He also recalls that Jack gave him a fountain pen which he
treasured greatly, but adds that the “damn thing never
worked”. One imagines that Jack continued on working as a
bushman, turning his hand also to farming in earnest.
Their first daughter, Christina, was born in Auckland, and
it was when she was a toddler that the new house was built
up on the hill closer to the roadway, and the old home was
dismantled, as they had to use some of the timber from
this for the new home. This second home was built by Jack
himself with the help of his father-in-law Herman
Johanson. Herman and his second wife at that time lived on
the farm next door owned by Lloyd and Betty Andrews, (and
since the 1990’s by their son Grant and Debbie Andrews)
and he built the original homestead on that farm. On 26th
February 1907 we note a land transfer from John Aspin to
Michael John Aspin and thus the couple took to farming in
earnest. The rest of Jack and Kate's family, with the
exception of Audrey and Trevor, were born at their home,
ably assisted by our well known mid-wife, Margaret Aspin.
Jack was a great 'tree' man, and planted many trees about
the place, also establishing a very good orchard. The only
fruit obtainable was what you grew yourself in those days,
and this was one family who was not going to be short. The
pear trees he planted are still bearing very well today.
Fresh figs too are still available annually from the trees
planted by Jack, and we understand, John Aspin (Snr) also
planted an orchard, as well as other shelter trees. Jack
also had made himself a very effective smokehouse, and the
fish, bacon and ham that came out of that were perfection
itself. He used a bank to build it, and dug a fairly large
hole out of the bank and lit the fire in here, then simply
dug another hole directly above the fire to the surface,
say two feet through or so and this let the smoke out.
Then it was a simple task of building the smokehouse
above, or over this hole, hang the fish or whatever in it,
light the fire and you are in business.
January 1st, 1915, saw an 'Occupation License
with Right of Purchase' being granted to Kate for a block
of 153 acres, directly across the road from the block they
already owned. One notes that the annual rental was 4
pounds ($8) - to be paid in half-yearly installments.
However, although farming was to be his main occupation,
Jack had a wide and varied interest in all other
activities in the district and beyond. He took a keen and
active interest in all local activities, be it a
Ratepayers Association, School Committee, Patriotic
Association, Church organisation, sports body or whatever.
He was always attending meetings, and made a notable
contribution to the School Committees, having a keen
interest in education in general. The schools of Orua Bay,
Grahams Beach, Awhitu Wharf, Awhitu Central and Manukau
Heads all had one combined School Committee, and Jack was
a member of this from 1916 through to 1942, being the
Chairman for 19 years. In all that time he never missed
one of their monthly meetings, always held at Awhitu
Central, and he used to ride his horse to these, until he
purchased his first car, a Model T Ford in 1923, then he
could ride in style. He was one of the instigators of the
movement towards the Combined School at Matakawau and
along with others followed this objective with much
enthusiasm, the result being the school as we know it
today. On his retirement from the Committee he was
presented with an "Illuminated Address". His sons, Vic,
Jack and Dan and grandsons Wayne, Brian and Tim have all
been involved in the administration of this school, and it
is interesting to note that when the new school opened in
1949, 11 of his grandchildren were on the roll and there
has been a continual attendance of Aspins (his
grandchildren and great-grandchildren) ever since, with
three being on the roll as this book goes to press in
1983. There was a short gap of 6 years, then for the
next decade ie from 1989 to 1999 three more of his
great-grandchildren attended the school. As we go to
press in 2003 there are still two more of his
great-grandchildren on the roll at Matakawau School.
In the early days there was no Catholic Church in the
district, and the Priest would come out for several days,
saying mass at peoples homes, be it Aspins or Torpeys or
wherever. Then it was decided to build a new church at
Matakawau, and again Jack offered his support, raising
funds for this objective. He was also engaged raising
funds for the Patriotic Society, especially during and
after the Second World War, and also many sports bodies.
Jack also enjoyed many sports, playing rugby when younger,
then they built clay tennis courts on the farm about the
early 1930's and during the 20's many an enjoyable game of
social cricket was played in Aspins’ front paddock with
the locals all gathering about to enjoy the games. Jack
was also a keen fisherman, and during the war years he
made himself a kauri dingy, which he named Poly Kalar, and
I understand that means Good Luck in Greek. With a single
outboard on it, he spent many an hour out on the Manukau.
I also understand that he sold this to Don Goodrick, Maud
and Lorton’s son, to be used out off the Coromandel. He
was involved in many things, and even spent some time as
an agent for the Pigmarketing Association, was well known
with a regular position as a Returning Officer for the
elections, and was a J.P. for many years. He acted in some
capacity at the Grahams Beach telephone office, and
received a fine Testimonial upon his retirement from that
position. We have included a copy of this in our update.
Kate was the daughter of Christina (nee Campbell) and
Herman Johanson, and was the middle child in a family of
seven, i.e. Herman, Donald, Oskar, Kate, Margaret, Sarah
and Gus. Like her husband, she was involved in many
organisations in the district, be it Womens Institute, or
Catholic Women's League (which organisation she attended
the National Conferences) or whatever. She was well known
at any local sports event, for she always won the married
ladies race, then even the grandmother's race, these
speedy events being held on the beach. Many a hair-raising
story has been told of her escapades in the motor car -
before and after she got her license. I am of the opinion
that a book could be written on this subject alone. She
was a woman greatly respected by young and old alike, from
her sense of humour, her depth of character, to her good
taste and style of dress.
In December 1935 Jack and Kate sold their farm to “Aspin
Brothers, PO Box 49, Waiuku.” This partnership
consisted of three of their sons, Jack, Vic and Dan. The
family were still living in their home and the change gave
Jack and Kate time to enjoy life more and many can recall
the enormous vegetable garden Jack tendered on the front
flats of the farm. I am told he grew vegetables enough to
feed half the district!! In 1949 as part of the general
change-around, they moved to their new home on a
section that was part of the block that Vic farmed right
down by Grahams Beach. The partnership had changed in
December 1945 for a while to include just Vic and Dan with
Jack now on his own farm down Hatton’s Rd. Trevor was
included into the partnership in Oct. 1947 upon reaching
the age of 21, as was always part of the original plan.
For a very short time – weeks only - after their marriage
Trevor and Molly lived with his parents until Kate
declared that this was no way for newly-weds to live.
They need their own place. Thus things happened. This
general change-around in 1949 saw the brothers settle out
into their own independent farming operations, all the
while working very closely together and helping each
other. The actual partnership was eventually dissolved
when Dan bought out Vic’s half share in the 153 acre block
in May 1957. But in 1949 -
Jack had settled at Matakawau:
Vic on the farm at Grahams Beach:
Dan on the block across the road from the
homestead but retaining the home, sheds
and access to water supply:
Trevor on the original farm with the home
and sheds down Marshalls Road:
Their parents to their retirement home
overlooking Grahams Beach:
The ‘home that Jack built’ was indeed just that. The
brothers had milled the timber off the farm, stacked it to
dry then carted it down to the site. The blocks the
house was made of were all made by the family, using sand
from Grahams Beach and I am sure that the plan too is an
Aspin original. Jack, or Pop as they called him, was
very handy indeed with a hammer and under his leadership,
their home was built and they took no time in again
establishing a lovely garden, and orchard, and Jack really
had time to spend out fishing now. He died after a short
illness on 28th May 1951, aged 72 and is buried at Waipipi.
Kate continued on in their home, and played bowls for a
number of years. Her garden blossomed, and she had many
years to enjoy her growing family. She was a hot favourite
with all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and
they will remember with affection, the many happy hours
spent in her company - there was no such thing as a
generation gap with this lady. She thought nothing of
popping into her little prefect car and travelling down to
Wellington, or up to Houhora or to Hamilton or wherever to
visit her family and friends. In fact she was still
driving herself everywhere when she was 83/84 years of
age. There are many stories to be told of ‘grandma and
her travels’.
We were given a copy of a letter written in 1970 by her to
her daughter Alma Dryland and at that time she was staying
with her friend, Aunty May. The letter is in her
handwriting, not personal, but really demonstrates the
“hands on” interest she took in all members of her
family. We did not print it last time, but have taken
the liberty of printing it now in this update.
When Brian and I were married in June 1972, the cottage on
the farm was not yet built for us. The alternative was
that we live with mum and dad (Kath & Dan) and family for
a few months. Grandma knew this and so she offered us her
home to live in while she herself moved around various
family members. So her home became our home for about
5 months and we were all ever so appreciative of her
generosity. But there is more……. This woman, who was
now well into her 80’s, had remembered, and knew and
understood well what it is to be young and in love. In
all aspects of life, she had yet again shown that she was
a person of great understanding.
Her health declined in the mid 70’s, and she passed away
in Waikato Hospital on 7th October 1975, aged 86 years,
and is buried alongside her husband at Waipipi.
Click here for Michael John Aspin's Testimonal
Click here for the letter to Alma
(1)
CHRISTINE MARGARET (TEANIE) - born on 11th
October 1907. The birth notice taken from the NZ Herald
on 4 Nov 1907, reads like this.
“ASPIN: On October 11 (1907) , at Nurse Grace’s home,
Vincent Street, to Mr and Mrs M.J.Aspin of Awhitu, a
daughter.”
She began school on her sixth birthday, and Teanie
remembers this day well. She and brother Jack began school
together, Jack being just four years old, and were to
attend the Orua Bay School. Her grandparents, Johansens,
lived next door on what is now Lloyd Andrews property, and
uncle Gus and his brother who were big boys then walked
though to the school also, making their way down Marshalls
Road, and across the flats on the other side of the gully.
This day they were to wait for Teanie and Jack and walk
through with them, but they did not turn up, and Teanie
can remember her disappointment still. But all was well,
they turned up next day, and all made their way off to
school. Vic Johns was the teacher at that time, and he had
a boat, and would teach three days at Orua Bay, and then
three days at Awhitu Wharf. At some time they left Orua
Bay School, and walked the three miles overland to attend
the Awhitu Wharf School, and after gaining her Proficiency
she left at the age of 15. She remembers that to sit her
Proficiency, she had to ride the horse out to Awhitu
Central where all the local schools gathered for this
examination, and the school teacher rode out in the gig -
quite an occasion was this event.
She continued to live at home, helping with all that had
to be done, be it domestic, farming or helping with the
other children. When she was 21, she left to take a
position as a domestic assistant for a doctor in Taupo and
remained here for a year. She returned home briefly, and
she remembers that this was on the 11th October 1930 - the
day Dick McPike passed away. She took up another position
as a domestic assistant for a doctor's wife, this time in
Putaruru, and was here for three months. It was when she
was home again after this that she met one of the young
farmers in the district who was visiting her family one
day. He was farming across the gully at Orua Bay, and
there are no prizes for guessing that it was, yes, Ivan
Wedding. Teanie moved into Auckland at this time as she
had a job with Choysa, and remembers her pay of one pound
per week, then went to Putaruru where she took a position
in a Hotel. Teanie and Ivan were married at Waiuku on 22nd
April 1935. They made their home on their farm at Orua
Bay, where they milked cows. Their first six children,
Elva, Lewis, Ivan, Mary, Pat and Chris were all born at
Waiuku while they were living here. In 1946/47 they bought
an undeveloped farm at Waipu, Northland, and the family
moved to farm this.
Teanie remembers this well, and the hard times that were
to follow while they worked and got themselves
established. They arrived on 3rd September and lived in a
tent and two army huts joined together. Her sister,
Audrey, was with them for a time to help, and she and the
bigger children slept in the tent and Teanie and Ivan and
the babies slept in the hut. There was no water and they
had to go down to the creek, light a fire there to heat up
the water and put in the galvanised bath for a wash. It
took Ivan three months, working by himself, to get timber
felled, cut and milled sufficiently to build their home.
Her father, Jack, came up for a time to help, and
eventually their home was built, the wood being all Kauri.
She recalls the bathtub was a great big concrete trough
with a plug in it, and all the water had to be heated in
the copper and carried to the bath - or should we say
'swimming pool', - Waipu's first spa pool perhaps. The
gorse on this place was quite massive, being much higher
than the tractor, and Ivan had to clear a block, put it in
temporary grass, graze it for a while, then clear it again
and regrass it, and this was repeated for the other blocks
as he cleared them. Teanie remembers that they arrived
with one house-cow, and four years later were milking 60
cows.
Then in 1951 they moved to Waihopo (Houhora, Northland)
where they bought a farm, and then set about to develop
this place. Initially they milked a few cows by hand, and
Ivan dug and washed Kauri gum, but the price of this
dropped considerably, so he didn't do that any more, and
when they got electricity installed in their second year,
they turned to milking cows in earnest, and built up the
farm until it carried 100 cows.
In 1965, with sons Lewis and Ivan now running the farm,
they retired to Houhora Heads, taking a position as
caretakers at the motor camp there. They remained here for
seven years, until the camp got just too busy for them,
and they retired in earnest to Pukenui which is just a
mile or two away, and just south of Houhora. They had time
now to enjoy the things they never had time for before,
including rock hounding and polishing gem stones, from
which they made some lovely jewellery. Ivan suffered poor
health and found that the dust from the stones affected
his lungs, so being a man never to remain idle, he took up
painting, and made some very beautiful table clothes,
bedspreads, etc, always looking for more things to do and
make. His health continued to decline, and several
operations left him confined to a wheel chair, from where
he continued his paintings and other interests. It was
while on a trip to the South Island that Ivan's health
took a turn for the worse, and sadly he passed away in
Timaru Hospital on 10th April 1982. Teanie continued to
live in their home in Pukenui for some years before moving
to Gordonton, then to Waiuku for a while, and more
recently she moved back to a rest home in Kaitaia to be
close to family and friends. As I print this, she has
entered her 94th year, continuing to keep good
health and high spirits. Quite a remarkable achievement
indeed.
The ‘remarkable achievement’ continued long enough for me
to tell you, as I reprint this update for its final
edition, that we farewelled Teanie in January 2003 and she
is buried alongside Ivan at Waipipi.
Elva
- was born in Waiuku on the 27th February 1936, and began
her schooling at Orua Bay primary, then Waipu primary and
attended St. Joseph's convent in Auckland as a boarder.
She left school and came home for a year, helping out and
working at home, until she was offered a job in the
Waiharara Store, and this she took, remaining there for 18
months. They have great customers in these country stores,
and one of these, a chap by the name of Pat Shine, used to
come into the store for a bottle of lemonade, even if he
wasn't thirsty!!
I am sure the turnover of the store must have dropped
considerably when Elva left and went to work in the
Kaitaia Telephone Exchange, and a short while later she
went down to Auckland, working as a machinist for a year,
and then came back to take a position at the Houhora Hotel
for six months. Well, we know what happened at the
Waiharara Store, imagine what the effect was on the Hotel
turnover, for by this time it was a bottle of lemonade
twice a day that Pat was requiring. We've heard it said
with flowers, but never with lemonade, but it must have
its charm, for their marriage took place at Kaitaia in
1957, and they made their home on their farm on Kaimaumau
Road, which is not far from Waiharara. They milked dairy
cows on this rugged farm while they were developing it, as
it had previously been gum land, and eventually built
numbers up from 18 to 90. Over the years more land has
been purchased, until today they farm 360 acres, and just
five years back they sold their herd, and now graze
Shorthorn for beef. Their family of six were all born in
Kaitaia, and attended Waiharara Primary school and Kaitaia
College. They have all played badminton in the local hall,
and been involved in the activities that are available in
the district.
The eldest, Kim, was born on 24th August 1958, and
from an early age he loved making mechanical things, so it
follows that when he left school during his fourth form,
he took up a motor mechanics apprenticeship at Awanui. He
qualified, then moved to Australia where he did a lot of
truck driving for about two years, and by the early 1980’s
had returned home intending to take up a position there
again. Kim married Sheryl Diane Greenwood. Sheryl was
born on 26th February 1963 and this couple now
have three children - Niketta Kim, born on 28th
May 1988, Lennon Bradley, born on 17th
June 1991 and Sivana Monique who was born on 9th
June 1995.
Gavin
was born on the 29th January 1960, and left school after
gaining his school certificate and university entrance,
and he is known for his talents with a paint brush.
Several of the buildings on the farm have his trademark in
the form of a great big Goofey or whatever, and visitors
remember these well. He attended Auckland Technical
Institute, studying to become a civil engineer, and
finished his time at Manukau City Council. He then went
contracting for some years, then the family were farming
in the Waikato and more recently at Waiuku. I add a note
in here saying that if you ever doubted there was ‘Heaven
on earth’, go and have a meal in the restaurant
overlooking Kariotahi Beach. Just do it. This is
Gavin’s restaurant and is truly a slice of Heaven.
He married Raewyn Gail Jolly and she was born on 3rd
January 1962. They have four children. Chelsea Emma
who was born on 17th June 1989. Twins Amber
Therese and Serena Ailsa, born on 11th
March 1991 and Jasmine Sarah who was born on 29th
September 1993.
Christine,
born on the 25th February 1962, left school after gaining
her school certificate and university entrance, and also
gained a bursery. She took up nursing at Auckland
Hospital, and has remained there, and has just finished
her last year of training. That was in the early
1980’s. Since then Christine married Paul William Stitt.
Paul was born on 27th September 1960 and they
now have three children – Joel Paul born on 18th
March 1986, Sophia Rose who was born on 20th
August 1988 and Julia Ann who was born on 13th
October 1989.
Vaughan,
born on the 27th June 1964, also attained School
Certificate and completed his sixth form year, enjoying
motorbike riding and mechanics. He went on to marry
Michelle Tracey Matthews, Michelle being born on 24th
June 1969 and the couple now have two children.
Kayla Shavaughan was born on 9th June 1995
and Luke Richard who was born on 8th
September 1998.
Carl
was born on the 24th April 1966, gained his school
certificate, and is at present working in a sports store
in Kaitaia, and he enjoys deep sea diving and many
sports. Again, that was back in the early 1980’s. Since
then Carl has married Tania Liegh Parkyn, Tania being born
on 12th November 1970 and they have added three
new faces to the Shine dynasty. They are Andre Clark,
born on 23rd May 1995, Dylan Brent, born
on 31st July 1997 and also Keenan Patrick
who was born on 28th March 1999.
Patricia,
or 'Trish' as she is known, was born on the 13th March
1968, in her fifth form at Kaitaia High and loved any
kind of animal you care to mention - horses, cats,
pigeons, whatever and enjoyed the outdoors. Trish was
just a teenager in the early 1980’s but she too has taken
upon herself the status of being married. Her husband is
Peter Selwyn Yerkovich and their three children are
Cody Carlece who was born on 22nd
January 1992, Crispin Patrick Lionel, born on 28th
July 1994 and also Alana Therese, born on 5th
December 1999.
Elva and Pat continue their farming operations. In their
very, very busy lives Elva finds time to maintain a
wonderful ‘rural’ garden. Fishing is also an enjoyable
past-time, and Pat enjoys tampering with, and repairing
old trucks and cars. There is always a warm welcome down
Kaimaumau Road.
Lewis
- born in Waiuku on the 10th September 1937 and attended
Orua Bay and Waipu primary schools, and Std 6 at Waihopo,
then Sacred Heart College in Auckland as a boarder. After
leaving school he came home to help on the farm, and at
the same time did odd jobs, tractor driving and working
for contractors around the district. He also did a bit of
fishing, and cutting trees in the Maioro Forest near
Waiuku. During this time he stayed with his aunty, Audrey
and Henry Walters. On the 5th June 1965 he married Ada
Johnson, a nurse from Kaitaia, and at this point the
family farm was divided in half, and Lewis and Ada
purchased half of this. They continued farming here
having purchased an extra block of land next door. They
have always milked dairy cows, and Ada has played a very
active role in this, working extremely hard indeed. In
the early 80’s they planted a small block of land in a
horticulture crop. They have three daughters, Julie
born on the 5th May 1966, married Robert Stanyon and they
have two children, Alison and Richard.
Sheryl
born on the 12th October 1967 and she married Steven Meha.
This couple have three children. Twins Adam and
John and daughter Sarah.
Helen
born on the 11th July 1972. Each was born in Kaitaia, have
attended Pukenui primary school and Kaitaia High, and were
also a great help to their parents, working on the farm or
helping out about the house when necessary. Lewis also
found time a few years back to build himself a boat.
Lewis passed away very suddenly on 16th
November 1995 while he and Ada were returning home from a
holiday down south.
Ivan
- was born at Waiuku on the 18th October 1940, and
attended Waipu and Waihopo Primary schools, and then St.
Pauls as a boarder. He left school to come home to work,
and like his brother Lewis, he took other jobs offering
within the district, contract jobs, land clearing, etc.,
and for a time he too worked in the Maioro Forest near
Waiuku and also stayed with Audrey and Henry Walters. It
was during this time that he met a local Otaua girl, June
Cassidy, and this was a friendship that was to last. June
was nursing, and able to get a transfer to Kaitaia
Hospital, and they were married at Kaitaia in 1963. They
made their home on the farm at Waihopo, purchasing half of
the original block after Teanie and Ivan's retirement, and
continued farming there for some time until they began
their second venture, scalloping. They moved to their new
home which was at Heads Point, Pukenui, bought a boat, and
worked at dredging up these tasty morsels (who's for
breakfast!), as well as being involved with draindigging
and contracting work around the area, and continued these
businesses until they purchased land at Houhora, and set
about completing their new home, and establishing a
horticultural crop. They have three children,
Leon was born on the 13th October 1963 (or it may be
13th September, 1963!) and attended Pukenui
primary and Kaitaia High and worked as an apprentice auto
mechanic. Leon and his wife Rose began their family with
the arrival of Kerry in 1999.
Daughter Maree was born on the 16th December 1964,
and having also attended Pukenui primary and Kaitaia High,
she took on a position as a secretary. Maree and her
husband Shane began their family with the arrival of
Tigan.
Mathew,
who was born on the 18th January 1974, and attended
Pukenui Primary school – remembering that that was back in
the early 1980’s !!
Change is constant - and sadly, this
family lost Ivan on 9th June 1997.
Teanie and Ivan's second and only other daughter,
Mary, was born at Waiuku in 1941. However, she was
to be theirs for only a very short time, as she was very
tragically drowned at the age of sixteen and a half
months.
Patrick
- was born at Waiuku in 1943. He attended Waihopo and
Ngataki primary schools, and went on to St. Pauls College
in Auckland as a boarder. After leaving school he returned
to help out at home, taking other contracting jobs
offering about the district, etc., and also did a spot of
fishing. In 1970 Pat married Margurita Williams, a school
teacher from Auckland, and they settled in their home at
Pukenui. Fishing seemed to be what Pat enjoyed doing, and
about this time he purchased his boat the 'Marina' and set
sail for the high seas to dredge up these lovely tasty
morsels mentioned previously, i.e. scallops. We suggest
that breakfast would be about the time to visit the
Weddings - any breakfast any Wedding family. Pat fishes
many places, including Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, Leigh,
Houhora, wherever these little fellows hide out I guess.
Pat and Margaret have four children, Jason born on
the 2nd October 1971, Marcus on the 22nd December
1972, Janine on the 18th January 1974 and Adele
born on the 22nd July 1981. They were all born at Kaitaia,
and attended Pukenui school. The family were involved in
many of the school activities, and Margaret helped out at
times doing relief teaching. Since this was first
written, Marcus has married Janine Monk and they have
three children, Jessica Catherine born on 5th
November 1992, Alesha who was born on 13th
July 1994 and Ebony, born in 1999.
Christopher
- was also born at Waiuku, then would have attended school
at Ngataki, and later gone on to St. Paul's College in
Auckland boarding here. Chris left school to come home and
work the fishing boats with the local fishermen. For a
time he skippered the 'Debra Anne', and several years
later went on down to the South Island, tuna fishing off
Greymouth. For a time he was joined by his brother Martin,
and it was on their return journey to Auckland via Steward
Island and the East Coast, that they got caught up in a
great storm. We understand nature decided to speed things
up a bit for them and add a few thrills to the trip, and
they were literally blown from the Otago Coast to Gisborne
where they were able to seek shelter and rest among some
of the more less fortunate craft that were battered and
lying in Gisborne Harbour. Well, that's the story we are
told, but there may have been other reasons for the speed,
because not long after this Chris married Geraldine
Williams, a school teacher from Auckland, and also a
cousin of Margaret’s. They have made their home in Massey,
Auckland where Chris has been involved in farming mussels
for commercial production. They have four children,
Theresa
born on the 8th June 1977.
Denise
on the 26th July 1978 and
Chris
James born on the 2nd February 1981, with Catherine
being born on the 25th December 1982. As we complete
this update we find the family now have two grandchildren
being Catherine’s children. They are Flynn who was
born on 26th October 2000 and then Luca,
born on 30th December 2002.
Martin
- the seventh member of the family, and was born while
they were living at Waipu, then would have attended
primary school at Ngataki, and gone on to St. Paul's
College in Auckland. After three years at secondary, he
left and took up a career in marine engineering. He did
his apprenticeship in Auckland, this taking three years,
then worked as a marine engineer on boats, travelling
extensively all over the world. He returned back to New
Zealand, and on the 20th August 1977 he married Jeanette
Florian, a secretary with the Whangarei Hospital Board.
Martin worked for a time with Whangarei Engineering, and
is now employed by the Harbour Board, working as an
engineer on the big tugs that put the tankers in and out
of the harbour. They have a daughter, Tineale, born
on the 26th August 1980, and a son Joshua. They
made their home in Whangarei and for some time at least
Jeanette continued in her position with the Hospital
Board.
Terry
- is the youngest member of the family, was born at
Kaitaia, attended Ngataki primary school, and then went on
to St. Pauls as his brothers did. He too left school to
catch the 'sea bug' as it were, and took up positions on
the fishing boats that worked Houhora Harbour. After he
got his ticket, he took over the 'Debra Anne' from his
brother Chris, and travelled with the boat to Greymouth,
being involved fishing tuna, etc. He then bought the boat
back, stopping at home for his 21st birthday party, and
continued on down to Auckland to return the Debra Anne to
her owners. He flew on back to Christchurch and worked off
the coast there as a skipper for a time, until his
marriage to Dianne Sheedy, Dianne being a cook, and also
one of these unique individuals called a 'West Coaster'.
After their marriage they settled in Hokatika, Terry
working at Fletchers Sawmill at Bruce Bay for a time and
whitebaiting, etc. Their daughter Angela was born
on the 8th March 1979, then they made the move to Timaru
taking a position in a freezing works, and settled here,
where their second daughter Katrina was born on the
2nd February 1981. Their third daughter is Michelle.
(2) JOHN HERMAN (JACK)
- born at Grahams Beach in 1909 and attended school at
Orua Bay, and we note that he began his schooling when
aged four, as he used to travel with his sister Teanie,
attending school part-time at Orua Bay, and then when he
was about six or seven he attended school at Awhitu Wharf
full-time. Jack recalls too that as children, they used to
do a lot of gum digging - what he omitted to tell me was
how much gum they dug!! After gaining his Proficiency he
left school, and to quote his own words "couldn't get
behind the plough quick enough". He continued working at
home and taking odd jobs about the area for a short time
and then at the grand age of 18 made his first investment,
a motorbike. With his wheels beneath him Jack was off, and
ended up taking a position on a dairy farm at Morrinsville.
At this time he always enjoyed tennis, and played rugby
for the first time for the Kereone Juniors. A year later
saw him back home and worked on here until in 1935 he
bought the farm in partnership with his brothers Vic and
Dan. Wrestling was another sport that Jack was involved
in, and another chapter of this book will cover his
involvement in this in a little more depth. Jack was
married to Connie Holmes on the 19th December 1936. Connie
is the daughter of Bert and Hazel Holmes of Waiuku, and
after their marriage they made their home in Auckland,
Jack taking a position in the freezing works there. Connie
was a great favourite with the photographers who used to
take snap photos in the streets at that time, and she has
many a snap taken of herself and her children when out
shopping. Jack and Connie also enjoyed a good social life
as can be seen by the following article. This article
was published in the Awhitu News and I am not sure of the
date but it will be somewhere near the late 1930’s. It
is a grand wee article and clearly outlines the life style
at the time. It is headed:-
Social Evening
“The social evening arranged by Mr and Mrs Jack Aspin, jnr,
for the purpose of entertaining their many friends proved
to be an outstanding success. Despite the inclemency of
the weather the hall accommodation was severely taxed.
The very representative gathering that was in attendance
was evidence of the high esteem in which this popular
young couple are held.
There was a galaxy of orchestral talent and some
excellent dance numbers were rendered by the following:
Hyland’s orchestra, Fred Hall, L.Lee, R.Farrow, Mrs Newton
and Mr Peter Newcombe of Wellington. The latter, who is
a master of the piano, greatly appealed to the dancers
with his whistling solos.
Mrs J. Aspin, snr, assisted by a band of willing
workers dispensed a delectable supper in the vicinity of
midnight.
After the supper interval Mr Gus Walsh stated that he
desired, on behalf of those assembled, to convey to young
Mr and Mrs Jack Aspin the very sincere thanks of all for
the very excellent evening that had been arranged; all
present had had a most enjoyable time and the function
could be regarded as one of the high lights of the Awhitu
social world. Mr Walsh said that it afforded him great
pleasure in being able to attend and he wished to extend
to both Jack and his good lady every prosperity and health
for the future years. He asked that the audience join
with him in giving three rousing cheers and singing “For
they are jolly good fellows.”
Mr Aspin suitably replied.
At a later stage Mr Walsh thanked all those good people
who had contributed to the dance programme and he
particularly thanked Mrs Aspin, snr, and her committee for
the very excellent supper.
Mr Dan Aspin ably carried out the duties of M.C.
Dancing continued with a lively swing until 2 a.m.”
Isn’t that just delightful? How times and reporting have
changed!!
Jack and Connie’s first two children were born at this
time, Ellen and John, and they remember well the week John
was born. This was in 1940 and they recall that in that
one week, John was born, they bought their first car
(remembering that it cost them thirty five pounds) and
bought 80 acres of bare land at Hattons Road, Matakawau.
Quite a productive few days! They moved back to Waiuku at
this point, milking a few cows and working on the
Railways, and then developing their land at Matakawau on
the weekends. His brothers Vic and Dan helped with this
development work also. At this time Howard and Wayne
bought the family up to four, and it was also at this
point that Jack was instrumental in starting up the
Waipipi Wrestling Club. On 21st December 1945
Jack sold his share of the family farm to his brothers Vic
and Dan, then around 1947 he and Connie began building
their home on their Hattons Road farm, and moved on to it.
Matakawau of course, is on the Awhitu Peninsula, and at
that stage they had no electricity on their farm, and the
home was only part built, but over the years they have
completed it, and then built on and improved it. Before
building could begin, they first had to cut the timber off
the land, but with help from his father, and also his
brothers, along with a good share of plain old hard work,
they got things done. Their second daughter Connie-May was
born in 1950, bringing the family up to five. Jack has
been involved with the local School Committee, organising
Saturday morning football, played cricket, and also helped
lay the synthetic pitch that is still in use on the
Matakawau sports field. Wrestling took a lot of his time,
Jack being on the Auckland, then New Zealand Panel of
Referee/Judges, and was picked to referee at the
Commonwealth Games in Perth, and then also in Edinburgh in
1970, and on that same trip attended the World Games at
Edmonton (Canada) and gained his International Referees
Ticket. Jack certainly made a major contribution to the
sport.
About 1965, after Wayne had taken over the farm, Jack and
Connie built a new home down the road a little, and
continued on living there, finding time to enjoy leisure
hours. Connie established a very extensive garden and
grounds around their home and also showed much talent with
the paint brush and doing handwork. Jack was able to find
time to enthusiastically play bowls. In 1981 they sold
their home, and bought another home in Kitchener Road,
Waiuku where they continued their many interests and the
company of family and friends. Jack passed away on 3rd
October 1988.
Ellen
- was born in Auckland in on 17th July 1937,
attended school at Waiuku and the old Matakawau Primary
school, then Waiuku High, and at this point took up
fencing as a sport - not a lass to do battle with!! After
leaving school she worked in Otahuhu and continued on here
until her marriage to Patrick O'Sullivan (and if we called
him 'Pat' you'd know who we were talking about). Pat, as
his name may suggest, came from Ireland, and he was
working in and around the Auckland area as a builder. They
were married on the 12th December 1959 in Otahuhu, and
made their home in Papatoetoe. Their eight children were
all born here, and would have attended primary at
Papatoetoe and secondary at Sacred Heart and St. Mary's in
Auckland. In 1978 they moved to Waiuku where they
continued to live into their retirement. One never to
remain idle, among her many accomplishments Ellen took up
marketing cosmetics with many satisfied clients around
town and beyond. The family farewelled Pat on 23rd
May 2002.
Patrick
was born in 1960 and upon leaving school spent some time
as a carpenter. In 1994 he married Andrea Karl and they
have made their home on the banks of the mighty Waikato,
near Taupiri. Pat is a lawyer and I think this is
another case of “my three sons” with Patrick, born
on 29th May 1996, Finn on 10th
May 1998 and Bowen on 11th May 2000.
Sean,
born on 27th May 1962 also worked as a
carpenter after leaving school, and I think he |
