A new book, Gold Under The Manuka was featured in the March issue of Grey Power magazine. Afterwards, Helen Perry took time to read this fascinating true story of a farming family whose exceptional work ethic across three generations successfully benefited family and community too.
For this city-born and raised girl, who in her latter years settled in a horticultural town on the fringe of Auckland and became involved in rural matters, Gold Under The Mānuka: Mangaorapa Station – A Farming Story Like No Other, was both an easy and a challenging read.
Written by Bill Mouat, who lived most of his life on Mangaorapa Station, this book offers insights into the many elements which have played a role in his family’s farming evolution – transport, construction, wine, community service and, of course, agriculture.
It clearly required a mammoth effort to research records then collate the findings in the kind of fine detail seldom found within one cover, a task which Bill’s wife Carolyn contributed to wholeheartedly.
There will be many who will find themselves engrossed by truck and machinery specifications; others will be intrigued by the family patriarch’s extraordinary journey through life while diehard farmers and viticulturists will be impressed at how, on the back of hard work, together with foresight and innovation, unproductive land was turned around, ultimately resulting in a family dynasty.
For those who read the item in the last issue, it said a lot about this book. I could add accolades and, in just a few words, try to embrace where the family’s ongoing journey from founder, William Martin Mouat, known as Billy, took each member, including the author. However, that is for readers to discover for themselves.
This is a book which some will read from front to back, virtually non-stop. Others will take it in stages as there is much to digest including the title, Gold Under The Mānuka, which represents the unrealised value in the soil, and the essence of the men who turned the land into the equivalent of gold.
How readers choose to explore this engrossing journey, beginning with Billy’s birth in 1895 through to the subsequent establishment, development and later sales of property and companies, this book provides insights into the journey of long-departed generations as well as family members who thrive today.
It embraces an important part of New Zealand history which deserves to be celebrated and preserved.
Related: A farming story like no other
