The Hangaroa Years

Hangaroa is located in 'The Ranges' south-west of Gisborne, and we all went to live there when Bob was posted to the one-room school, in 1960. I only know that because I was born in Nelson in 1959 and Kerrian was born in Gisborne in 1960. (Fact Check please Bob for exact date). Martin was also born in Gisborne while we were living at Hangaroa, and I even remember the day he w as brought home. (side note - one of my  current Scout friends Gillian Hall was born in Gisborne Hospital in 1956)

Steve as 9 month baby on Olive's lap flying Wellington to Gisborne on DC-3
Bob and boys went earlier, Bob rented house Awapuni Rd converted from Church

- living in shearers quarters - apple of eye phrase coined
- Olive Bull in paddock
- big block of butter

First accom. was a cabin, then added a caravan (purchased an old one) Winter lot of condensation.
Hawkes Bay Ed Board approved house so cabin removed and stayed in Shearers Quarters while house being built.

Martin birth day, Bob walked into Gisborne Herald talked to Editor Geoff Muir and asked for a job.

Olive taken into Gisborne so Bob took advantage to go to Herald
Bob witnessed Martin's birth (first) due to Dutch Nurse with modern ideas

When Bob first went to Hangaroa he boarded with the Barnes-Graham family (Jim, Joan, Virginia, Susan, Peter)

I remember Olly talking about learning to drive on the unsealed back roads, having to give way to the sheep trucks. She reckons it was exciting, having to drive close to the ditch to give them room, especially for a city girl from London.

AH Reid visited us during his famous walk around NZ and we got a mention in his book
"From East Cape to Cape Egmont On Foot at Eighty-Six (1962)"