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]
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]