In this issue–

  • Feedback on Richard Mansell’s talk last month
  • The forthcoming December session – David Hadfield on his famous ancestor Octavius Hadfield– Tuesday 17 December
  • Possible sessions for 2020

Thanks to our November speaker: Richard Mansell

It was great to have the chief executive along to speak about the evolution of Coastlands over the last 50 years. It has been an amazing on-going development in central Paraparaumu and does great credit to the earlier founders, and Richard and his staff.

He illustrated his highly interesting session with maps and aerial photos showing how the landscape of central Paraparaumu has been transformed in the last 50 years.

The talk was much appreciated by the members.

The December speaker: David Hadfield

Hadfields

Octavius Hadfield was a sickly young man when he arrived in New Zealand as a missionary in the 1830s. He was not expected to survive for long, but extraordinarily he lived to become Archbishop of New Zealand and died at the age of 90.

Octavius and his wife Kate, the daughter of Northland missionary Henry Williams, had a huge impact on the Kapiti area, and being fluent in te reo, they enjoyed excellent relations with local Maori. Over the decades, Octavius Hadfield was a frequent thorn in the side of colonial governments as he was determined to see the native people treated fairly, especially with regards to the sale of land.

Come along and hear his great-great-great grandson, David, talking about his famous ancestor.  It should be a very interesting and informative talk covering the many roles Octavius Hadfield played in Kapiti’s and New Zealand’s history in the mid to late 19th century.

Tuesday, 17 December at 7.30 pm
Kapiti Uniting Church
10 Weka Road, Raumati Beach
Enter via the main church door.
Gold coin koha. Thanks
A light supper will be served following the talk.

2020 – shaping up the programme of topics and speakers

  • Kapiti’s Changing Coastline (Professor Mark Dickson) – confirmed for Tuesday 31 March
  • Gallipoli – Myth and Reality – confirmed for April
  • Whareoa Farm (Ann Evans) – confirmed, probably May
  • Paraparaumu’s First Retirement Village – Seven Oaks
  • The history of Paraparaumu airport
  • Key figures in Kapiti’s early-mid 19th century history – Wiremu Kingi, Te Rauparaha and Octavius Hadfield
  • Suggestions for topics and speakers are always very welcome.

All the very best for the festive season.
—Roger Childs and John Robinson, Coordinators of the Kapiti Historical Society