Coates of Kaipara

Coates of Kaipara. Michael Bassett. 1995 1st edition. Auckland University Press, Auckland.

The story of one of New Zealand's early Prime Ministers.
His family came from central Hereford in England, arrived in NZ in 1866 and settled in the Kaipara after purchasing land from Ngati Whatua. The land was covered in bush and timber milling and kauri gum collection were the main industries in the area.
The family developed the farm, Joseph Gordon Coates, known as Gordon, was born in 1878 and grew up there.

Later he became involved in the Kaipara A & P Society, was elected to the Otamatea County Council and held other offices before becoming a Member of parliament in 1911.

He married in 1914 aged 36 and was sent overseas with the NZEF in 1916. He fought at the Somme and won the Military Cross and Bar for Gallantry.

On his return he continued to farm at the Kaipara with his brother, whilst continuing his political career. He became Prime minister in 1925, served as Minister of Finance during the Great Depression of the 1930s , was part of the War cabinet in the 1940s and died suddenly in his office in 1943.

325pp; b/w photos; bibliography; index; map of the Kaipara; pictorial s/covers; elf wrappers; excellent condition - new.

A very readable book dealing with NZ politics but continuing the Northland farming scene throughout.

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