Coates of Kaipara

The Kaipara area has contributed much to the development of the north with the waterways providing access to the land for the early settlers and also for the transportation of their goods. Large volumes of timber, gum and other products were shipped to local markets and overseas. The area also produced our first New Zealand-born Prime Minister Gordon Coates.

On 24 June 1866, the three-masted clipper ship Winterthur left the Pool of London and among the 59 passengers were two brothers – Edward Coates, 23, and Thomas, 19. After moving up to the Kaipara, they began their search for land, finally settling on 2420 acres of a 2500 acre block called Unuwhao.

In 1869, Mr and Mrs John Dodd of Northern Ireland arrived in Auckland with 21 Shropshire Down sheep as ordered by the brothers. The Dodds drove them 14 miles overland to the Helensville portage from where they were shipped to the brothers at Unuwhao. Dodd was under a three-year contract to the Coates brothers and his skills as a horse-breaker, carpenter, bridge builder and blade shearer were sought after in the district.

The Shropshire’s were the first black-faced sheep brought to the Australasian colonies.

The brothers worked hard increasing their flock of sheep and herd of cattle and on 16 June 1871 they leased 10,410 acres from Manukau Rewharewha for an annual rental of £166 10 shillings.

There was also the right to purchase 1060 acres of this block. In 1884, Richard Kendall, who was contracting for the Kauri Timber Co was joined in partnership by Thomas Coates, who by January 1887 with his family were living at Pukekaoro, north of Kaiwaka.

Together the partners began cutting the extensive stands of kauri, while brother Edward, Gordon’s father, and family ran the home properties.

Image: Prime Minister Gordon Coates (centre, with hands in pockets) at an electoral visit to Wharehine. Roy Inger's mail car is doing duty as the PM's transport, c.1928.