# Russell Matthews

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**Sir Russell Matthews** (19 July 1896 – 25 November 1987) was a New Zealand civil engineer, roading contractor, businessman, horticulturist and philanthropist. He was born in [New Plymouth](/source/New_Plymouth) on 19 July 1896.[1]

## Career

Matthews was mostly involved in roading construction.[2]

## Personal life

Matthews was passionate for horticulture and was a fellow of the [Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture](/source/Royal_New_Zealand_Institute_of_Horticulture). He was a member of the [New Zealand Rhododendron Association](/source/New_Zealand_Rhododendron_Association) and founded the *Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust*.[2]

## Tūpare

Matthews bought a property in [New Plymouth](/source/New_Plymouth) in 1932 to build a homestead and establish a garden. Matthews named the property [Tūpare](/source/T%C5%ABpare_(garden)).[2]

## Honours

Matthews was appointed an [Officer of the Order of the British Empire](/source/Officer_of_the_Order_of_the_British_Empire) in the [1971 New Year Honours](/source/1971_New_Year_Honours_(New_Zealand)), for services to the community,[3] and a [Knight Bachelor](/source/Knight_Bachelor) in the [1982 New Year Honours](/source/1982_New_Year_Honours_(New_Zealand)), for services to horticulture and the community.[4]

In 2018, Matthews was posthumously inducted into the [New Zealand Business Hall of Fame](/source/New_Zealand_Business_Hall_of_Fame).[5]

## References

1. "House and garden". *[Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand)*. No. 173. [Heritage New Zealand](/source/Heritage_New_Zealand). Winter 2024. p. 7. [ISSN 2253-5330](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/2253-5330)

1. [*London Gazette* (supplement), No. 45264, 31 December 1970](http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/45264/supplements/39). Retrieved 12 May 2013.

1. No. 48839. 31 December 1981. p. 39.

1. ["Past laureates"](http://www.businesshalloffame.co.nz/past-laureates/). *Business Hall of Fame*. Retrieved 19 February 2023.

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