Reid Avenue (Hāwera)

Reid Avenue runs from Turuturu Road through to Camberwell Road in Hāwera and was named to honour Alexander Reid, a long serving Hāwera Borough Councillor.

Alexander Reid hailed from the small village of Wick in the Scottish county of Caithness. He immigrated to New Zealand around 1892, settling first in Auckland. Six years later he moved to Hāwera to work for G. Syme & Co. Ltd. After leaving the firm he spent the remainder of his working life in the building trade.

Like many men of the time, Reid took an active interest in community affairs, most notably the Hāwera Borough Council. He was first elected in 1909 and served continuously until 1931 before standing down as he thought he was “getting out of touch with borough activities”. Perhaps feeling re-energised, two years later Reid resumed his place at the council table, serving again until 1944.

Alexander Reid died on 18 November 1948 at the age of 83, leaving behind his wife, two daughters and a son (Taranaki Daily News 20 November 1948). In 1956 a new subdivision was surveyed off and one of the streets was named after the dedicated councillor.

Twenty years later the hardworking residents of the street were rewarded when Reid Avenue was named Hāwera’s “Best Street” for 1976 (Daily News 23 November 1976). Fifteen streets were in the running for the prestigious award. The judges were television personality James Stirling, who presented a weekly show on gardening, and Mr B. Crichton, superintendent of the Whanganui Parks Department. Climie Crescent came in second and Pacey Avenue was third.

Ronald and Jacklyn Edgecombe’s garden at 41 Cameron Street had the honour of being named the best in Hāwera that year.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.

Related plans:

DP8069 (1956) Reid Avenue, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

DP8366 (1958) Reid Avenue, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)