History of Woodlands
1864
1865
1872
The Woodlands Estate arose from the purchase of 98,000 acres from the Crown.
The Government was offering the land at five shillings an acre with a considerable reduction if the purchaser put in their own road. The Piako Swamp Company was formed and they spent £35,000 on draining and improving the land.
The Estate extended from just outside Taupiri to within a few miles of Morrinsville, across to Eureka and Tauwhare and to the outskirts of Hamilton in the Rototuna area.
1875
1880
1885
1889
The first baby was born at Woodlands - little redhead Archie Gordon.
1902
Woodlands is nationally significant as the centrepiece of one of the largest private reclamation projects of its time. By 1902, roughly 27,000 acres of swamp had been converted into pasture, running 40,000 sheep and 3,000 head of cattle.
The Estate was subdivided by the N.Z. Land Association, after an unsuccessful attempt to sell it as a whole for £1 an acre.
Thomas Stone bought 17,500 acres of the Estate.
Tom Martin, the head shepherd, paid the highest price for 123 acres of the Estate (approximately £5 per acre).
When the Estate was subdivided, where possible, an area of peat swamp was given to the purchaser at no cost.
1903
John Gordon purchased 1,700 acres and moved to the other main homestead on the Estate, Eureka. He later sold 400 acres of the swamp to Mr Isaac Coates for £20.
1905
The homestead block of approximately 2,400 acres was sold by Mr Thomas Stone, to Mr James Riddell of Waverley - 600 acres of which was in grass and the remainder in manuka covered peat.
The main trunk line had not been completed, so the Riddell family came by boat to Onehunga, travelled by train to Taupiri and then a wagon took them the rest of the way to the Estate.
1908
John Gordon sold the Eureka property to Mr F.F. Pemberton.
WWI
Thomas, the fourth son of James and Mary Riddell, played a major role in the running of the Estate, with his 3 older brothers off at war.
Following WW1 James Riddell divided up the Estate between William, Thomas (who took over the existing dairy herd of 120 cows) and Don. They were given over 300 acres each.
1928
Don Riddell, the youngest son of James and Mary, took up residence at the Woodlands homestead, with his wife Irene.
The servants' and the single men's quarters were removed.
1935
With the country still in depression, there was a Public Relief Camp established on Woodland's land. Unemployed families were accommodated in up to thirty huts made of wood and canvas.
The men helped dig drains in the peatland. Neighbouring farmers did their best to relieve the families of their suffering.
1937
Owing to the serious illness of Thomas Riddell, resulting in his death in 1940, the original dairy herd was sold and the farm converted to sheep and breeding cattle.
WWII
Every household had rationing books for food and clothing. Fuel was rationed and travel was limited. Farm production from all farms was affected.
1941
300 Army horses from Waiouru were sent to Woodlands Estate to recuperate.
1942
Fire destroyed the shearing shed, originally the Estate stables. One whole year's clip of wool was totally destroyed.
1946
Don Riddell suffered serious ill health, leaving him in a wheelchair and blind.
1959
Don and Irene Riddell employed Joe and Clive Tucker as sharemilkers. They stayed for many years and helped restore the Woodlands farm from its run down condition.
1962
Don Riddell died. Irene continued running the farm with the Tucker family.
1976
Property bequeathed to the Presbyterian Support Services. Agreed to be taken over on the death of Irene Riddell.
1983
Irene Riddell died. A farm committee was formed with representatives from Presbyterian Support Services, farm consultants and Arthur Riddell representing the Riddell family.
1988
The homestead and surrounding 15 acres were accepted by the Waikato County (now District) Council for public use and is now administered by the Gordonton Woodlands Trust Board.
Present Day
The historic and aesthetic value of the homestead and gardens has been maintained. Through donations of finance and time this magical place remains a testament to yesteryear.
Woodlands hosts weddings, conferences, meetings, cricket matches and the like. To this day social gatherings continue to play a major role in the life of the homestead and gardens.
Further information please refer to the Book titled; Woodlands – homestead, Gardens and Function centre written by Paul Matin.
Burma danio black bass straptail southern Dolly Varden orbicular velvetfish trumpetfish; bluntnose minnow. Hatchetfish pricklefish sixgill ray sawfish scaly dragonfish! Grayling Mexican golden trout.
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